Economic Development and Employment

Core Values: Why American Companies are Moving Downtown

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This report examines the characteristics, motives, and preferences of companies that have either relocated, opened new offices, or expanded in walkable downtowns between 2010 and 2015. Smart Growth America partnered with global real estate advisors Cushman & Wakefield to identify nearly 500 companies that have made such a move in the past five years. Of … Continued

Destinations Matter: Building Transit Success

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This paper analyzes the performance of 19 transit lines to better understand the factors contributing to high ridership. Of the 19 lines examined, seven exceeded projections, eight are on track to beat projections, and two did not meet projections, while data for three was unavailable. The conclusion: that connecting destinations is key, and that the … Continued

The Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Development near DART Stations

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The purpose of this document is to identify and calculate economic impacts of real estate development projects within a quarter-mile radius of DART light-rail stations. The study is a follow-up to the 2013 analysis completed by this office and analyzes development projects in 2014 and 2015. The values of all projects included in the analysis … Continued

A Station Area Typology of Economic Opportunity: A Guide to Better Connecting Transit, Jobs and Workforce Development in the Denver Region

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The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the benefits to employers and workforce training providers of locating near transit, as well address the barriers that often prevent them from choosing a transit-oriented location. It includes academic research, applied research from think tanks and advocacy groups and case studies from several regions … Continued

Performance-Based Transit-Oriented Development Typology Guidebook

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This guidebook is a hands-on tool for identifying the different conditions that exist around transit stations and determining how that influences performance on a range of metrics. Whether working locally or regionally, the guidebook provides easy to understand information to help guide efforts to create high-quality TOD that reduces vehicle miles traveled (VMT), a significant … Continued

TOD 204: Planning for TOD at the Regional Scale

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This guidebook, which includes case studies from around the country, focuses on regional planning for TOD, including the general framework and benefits, and eight strategies for successful regional TOD planning.

TOD 206: Intercity Rail and Transit-Oriented Development

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This booklet identifies some of the different steps cities and towns can take to create TOD around their intercity rail stations. It also offers some useful tools and examples of how cities of a range of sizes are utilizing their intercity rail stations to revitalize downtowns, preserve historic buildings, create connections to other forms of … Continued