Developed to move

More cities in our region are building transit-oriented developments – is the Upstate next?

As more people relocate to urban centers and become less vehicle-dependent, cities need to step up shared public transportation options. Across the U.S., transit-oriented development (TOD) is the preferred option for many commuters. In planning communities where mass transportation is readily accessible, TODs are becoming the norm rather than the exception.

Can this be accomplished in the Upstate? Absolutely. Greenville County is already starting to look at future multi-modal transportation options, said County Councilman Fred Payne.

“Our goal is to create smart urban transportation corridors with smarter green villages development around mobility hubs,” he said. Payne prefers to use the term “GreenVillages” rather than “transit-oriented development,” as he believes the mental image is more attractive to prospective residents. “They’re green, mixed-use, walkable, livable and sustainable places,” he said. “They are connected with varied, automated transport options to nearby communities along networked corridors.”

Here’s a look at a few successful projects across the region to get the creative juices flowing.

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Atlantic Station, Atlanta

Maybe the best example of a TOD in the South, Atlantic Station has a mix of affordable, middle-income and upscale housing with office, restaurants, theaters and retailers. Public transportation is available via MARTA (Metro Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) and a Free Ride Shuttle is available at Atlantic Station to the MARTA bus bay. An on-site concierge team can assist with public transportation options.

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Downtown Kendall, Fla.

In 1999, city planners in Kendall, Fla., a suburb south of Miami, created a 350-acre master plan. The goal was to create a recognizable city center amidst a suburban, automobile-dominated community. The city lies at the convergence of several regional transit corridors (including two Metrorail stations) and the intersections of four heavily traveled arterial roadways that crisscross an intense mixture of retail, offices, hotels and residential neighborhoods.

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Tysons Corner, Va.

In order to reduce congestion and improve walkability and connectivity, the Fairfax County Virginia Planning Commission created an outline for the urbanization of Tysons Corner, a rapid transit station that opened in 2014 on the Silver Line of the Washington Metro.

Within two months of the station opening, the metro line reported 30,000 combined trips were being taken to or from Silver Line stations on weekdays. According to Metro, “the new line is already performing at 60 percent of its projected ridership for the end of the first full year of service.”

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Scaleybark, Charlotte, N.C.

This TOD is located adjacent to the Scaleybark Light Rail station near the SouthEnd and SouthPark in Charlotte. The 23-acre development includes a 315-space park-and-ride lot and future plans include retail, restaurants, office, apartments and townhouse.

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