Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for approximately $13.5 million in FY 2022 and FY 2023 discretionary grant funding through its Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning (TOD Pilot Program). The NOFO was released August 8, 2023; and it will remain open only through October 10, 2023.
The City meets the criteria to be eligible to submit an application under the TOD Pilot Program. The Department of Public Service is working on a TOD Pilot Program application with the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in support of the W. Broad Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor and LinkUS’ Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Action Plan. The LinkUS ETOD strategy aims to preserve existing housing affordability, existing jobs and businesses, and valued community resources and amenities. It will create new housing with an emphasis on affordability, attracting new business investment, and job creation, and encourage new or enhanced community resources and amenities. At the same time, ETOD will be inclusive in ensuring diversity in housing options and price points, ensuring access to jobs, services and amenities for all residents.
This legislation will authorize the Director of Public Service to formally submit an application under the TOD Pilot Program opportunity as either the lead applicant or joint applicant. It also authorizes the execution of agreements with USDOT, COTA, or others in connection with the application for the grant, the award of the grant, the expenditure of grant funds, and the return of unused grant funds if any should remain at the end of the grant.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
TOD Pilot Program grants may be used for up to 80 percent (80%) of future eligible project costs. No financial participation is required at this time. City funds will be approved in the form of design contracts and/or construction contracts that will be or ha...
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