Informational webinar: Applying for TOD technical assistance
The TOD Technical Assistance (TOD TA) Initiative is moving into the second round of assistance to communities. Representatives from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Smart Growth America (SGA) hosted an informational webinar on September 7, 2016 to discuss in detail the technical assistance opportunity and application process for round two of TA available through this Initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions: In-depth TOD technical assistance
FTA AND SGA have also provided responses to frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding in-depth TOD technical assistance. Click on the questions below to view the responses:
FTA will select five (5) communities across the United States to receive in-depth TOD technical assistance. See “In-Depth TOD Technical Assistance Activities” in the application.
During the inaugural round, FTA selected nine communities to receive in-depth and / or targeted technical assistance through this Initiative. Based on the results of the inaugural round of technical assistance, we are focusing on the longer term in-depth technical assistance.
Any unit or subdivision of state, regional, local, or tribal government is eligible to receive in-depth TOD technical assistance under this project. See “Be an Eligible Applicant”, under Eligibility Criteria in the application.
An eligible transit project is an “active” federally-funded transit capital project under chapter 53 of title 49. An “active” project is awarded with federal funds and is currently advancing towards full project implementation (i.e. beyond environmental review process). See “Have an Eligible Transit Project”, under Eligibility Criteria in the application.
Flexible funding for “active” transit capital projects under chapter 23 of title 149 United States Code (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program), and/or chapter 23 of title 133 United States Code (Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) are eligible to receive in-depth TOD technical assistance under this Initiative. See “Have an Eligible Transit Project”, under Eligibility Criteria in the application.
Integrated Corridor Management projects can encompass both highways and public transportation. Therefore, to be eligible for in-depth TOD technical assistance, the Integrated Corridor Management project described in the application must be physically and/or functionally connected to an eligible transit project. See “Have an Eligible Transit Project”, under Eligibility Criteria in the application.
“Active” transit capital projects funded under the TIGER Discretionary Grant program are eligible to receive in-depth TOD technical assistance under this Initiative. See “Have an Eligible Transit Project”, under Eligibility Criteria in the application.
“Active” transit capital projects that are receiving TIFIA and / or RRIF financing described in this section are eligible for in-depth TOD technical assistance under this Initiative.
The in-depth TOD technical assistance will be applied to either a segment of a transit corridor or one station in the transit corridor. Requests for in-depth TOD technical assistance for multiple corridors / multiple station areas are not eligible. Please see Station Area or Segment of the Transit Corridor under Eligibility Criteria in the application.
An “active” federally-funded transit capital project on an existing line / corridor is eligible to receive in-depth TOD technical assistance under this Initiative.
A fixed route transit line must qualify as an eligible transit capital project to receive TOD TA. Please see “Have an Eligible Transit Project”, under Eligibility Criteria in the application. Also, see “Station Area or Segment of the Transit Corridor” under Eligibility Criteria in the application.
”Active” transit capital projects that are built but still have an open grant are eligible but must document in their application that the project is advancing towards full project implementation. Provide a schedule with an anticipated date of completion for the total project when submitting the application request for in-depth TOD technical assistance.
Applicants must choose to include either one segment of an entire transit corridor or one station area in the transit corridor for TOD Technical Assistance. Please see “Station Area or Segment of the Transit Corridor” under Eligibility Criteria in the application. From the question given, the corridor that received a TIGER grant is the eligible transit project. Or, the eligible transit project contains a station area at the intersection of the two corridors that cross paths.
In-depth TOD technical assistance is only eligible for “active” transit projects for either a segment of an entire transit corridor or one station area in the transit corridor. Please see “Station Area or Segment of the Transit Corridor” under Eligibility Criteria in the application.
By the application deadline, the project must have an FFGA in order to receive in-depth TOD technical assistance.
The bridge replacement project must be an eligible transit project per the Eligibility Criteria. Please see “Have an Eligible Transit Project”, under Eligibility Criteria in the application. Also, see “Station Area or Segment of the Transit Corridor” under Eligibility Criteria in the application.
There is no cost sharing or financial matching requirements for the in-depth TOD technical assistance. Please see No Cost Sharing or Matching Funds Required in the application.
FTA is providing the in-depth TOD technical assistance through SGA at no cost to successful applicants. There is no cost sharing or matching funds required from the successful applicant to be eligible for TOD Technical Assistance. However, each applicant must identify the staffing and facility resources that will be provided to ensure successful implementation of the in-depth TOD technical assistance. TODs are most successful when on-the-ground partnerships are formed to leverage resources provided by various stakeholders. Perspective applicants are encouraged to form applicant groups or partnerships to maximum resources available for the in-depth technical assistance.
The deadline for submitting applications for in-depth TOD technical assistance is Friday, October 7, 2016 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.
To see the list of communities who received technical assistance in the inaugural round of the TOD TA Initiative, please visit the current communities webpage on the todresources.org website here.