Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Grants

The Metropolitan Council supports TOD through Livable Communities grants. The program advances Imagine 2050 goals by funding policy, small area planning, and development projects that expand housing choices, improve safety, and ensure everyone can meet their needs in their community.

TOD-related projects in Livable Communities participating cities may be eligible to compete for a Livable Communities grant. Examples of eligible projects include:

• Development projects that are oriented to transit and within one-half mile of stations or stops on light rail transit, bus rapid transit, commuter rail, or express bus service  or are within one-quarter mile of high-frequency local bus routes. (See map and select “TOD Grants Area” Layer)
• Creating a small area plan for a station area or transit corridor.
• Creating a station overlay district.

Livable Communities grants can be used for planning, pre-development, clean up, site preparation, and construction costs.
 

What we do to support TOD:

• We advise cities that participate in the Livable Communities program on how grants can support their priorities.
• We convene an interdepartmental staff group and the Livable Communities Advisory Committee to score projects that apply for funding and make grant recommendations to the Metropolitan Council.
• We collaborate with Engineering & Facilities at Metro Transit to ensure that development projects enhance adjacent transit stops and stations (e.g., visibility of bus stop from ground-floor retail).
• We work with Livable Communities participating cities through the application and awards process, as grant awards are administered, and while we monitor progress and results. 

Learn more about Livable Communities grants.