The agency will assess ways to more effectively use its surface parking lots and encourage more mixed-use development near transit hubs.

Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority is considering developing some of its ‘park and ride’ properties(largely surface parking lots) into housing and commercial space, reports Dug Begley in the Houston Chronicle.
“The [Metro] board in August created a subcommittee tasked with joint development and land use, which met for the first time Sept. 14. Staff, meanwhile, issued a request for information to developers, the first step in seeing if any have ideas for using Metro spaces.” As Begley writes, “If Metro can find private partners to better use its land, or build on it while maintaining its use for transit, the agency can add more value than just concrete lots, and better connect its transit centers to the surrounding area.”
Encouraging development on properties adjacent to transit stations is nothing new for other agencies, such as Dallas Area Rapid Transit, which instituted a transit-oriented development policy in 1989. “Critics, however, point out that for all of DART’s attempts to drive living and retail space toward its 93 miles of light rail lines, its ridership has not benefited. A station in the developed enclave of Las Colinas, aimed at bringing urban design to a suburban setting, is among the agency's lowest in terms of daily riders.”
Elsewhere, TODs have had more success. “Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority long has sought out deals that put transit stations into core shopping and residential areas,” Begley points out, and the practice of integrating transit stations with other uses is common in other countries.
FULL STORY: Metro eases into land development, aiming to connect transit, housing and jobs

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing
A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
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