The Success Of Transit Villages

Transit villages are becoming popular -- and economically successful -- throughout Southern California.

1 minute read

February 9, 2004, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"No longer a concept of city planners, the transit village is a reality in Southern California, from such high-density urban areas as North Hollywood to suburbs such as Carlsbad. Nearly every stop on the Metro Red Line, which runs from North Hollywood through Hollywood to downtown Los Angeles, has a transit-oriented project either in planning or under construction. The Metro Gold Line, stretching from downtown northeast to Sierra Madre, has at least two, with developers proposing more. Homes and condos in these developments are commanding prices ranging from the high $300,000s to close to $1 million... In a way, the transit villages are a return to the "streetcar suburbs," or small communities created by the streetcar. Much of the present outline of Los Angeles, including the beach cities, Van Nuys, Riverside and San Bernardino, sprung up around streetcar routes... For city planners, transit villages are a way to build ridership for commuter rail and buses, as well as creating housing units in chronically under-housed Southern California."

Thanks to Mindy Oliver

Sunday, February 8, 2004 in The Los Angeles Times

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