Transit Joint Development in San Diego: Policies and Practices

Abstract

The Metropolitan Transit Development Board (MTDB) in San Diego, California, has been steadily increasing its portfolio of joint development projects through an incremental approach to project development. A key element of MTDB’s policy toward joint development is that projects must benefit the transit system and the communities in which they are located. Benefits to the system are measured through increased ridership potential and, to a lesser degree, generation of an income stream. Projects that have met these criteria range from the landmark Metropolitan Transit System (MTS)/James R. Mills Building to vendor concessions. The agency has also been successful in influencing the development of properties it does not own that are adjacent to light rail stations and major bus corridors, in part through public education and outreach efforts supporting transitoriented development. In addition, MTDB has agreements with the cities and the county in its area of jurisdiction through which the cities route projects and policy plans to MTDB for review and comment. Several case studies are described that illustrate various types of joint development and private and redevelopment projects. In summary, MTDB has been successful in its joint development program because it has capitalized on a wide range of opportunities while maintaining long-term goals.

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