At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Policymakers and industry leaders from the public and private sectors gathered for the inaugural Transit Oriented Development Summit for the Dallas area, hosted by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the Urban Land Institute.
According to reporting by Pablo Arauz Peña for KERA, DART has been building out its light rail network and is now looking to increase development on vacant lots and underused sites near transit stations. “DART currently has five active TOD projects in the works, including at Buckner, Royal Lane and Hampton stations.”
However, DART CEO Nadine Lee cautioned that cutting DART funding would undermine the agency’s ability to work with municipalities and developers to “create these fantastic spaces around our stations.”
Panels at the summit addressed the impacts of TOD on local economic development, jobs, housing affordability, and tax revenue. “Michael Carroll, an economist at the University of North Texas, said TODs are an economic development strategy for cities that must be designed to prioritize people and make room for affordable housing.”
FULL STORY: North Texas leaders say development around transit stations will help with region's growing pains
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