TOD in St. Louis

What is TOD? Transit Oriented Development is mixed use development that capitalizes on the locations near rail transit stops that feature walkable, sustainable neighborhoods. This type of development is usually referring to light rail. Within the discussions of MetroLink expansion going on in the St. Louis region, the acronym TOD is frequently included. What is TOD, transit oriented development, and what does this term TOD really mean to you and your community? Transit Oriented Development (TOD) simply refers to development surrounding transit stations, usually light rail. TOD development creates land use plans that include a mix of residential, commercial, and retail space which cluster around a transit stop. By mixing commercial, retail and residential within walking distance, the development creates an atmosphere that is safe, environmentally friendly and functional.

TOD Quick Links First 18 Stations TOD in St. Clair Cupples Station is TOD in action Tracking Development Around MetroLink Development around IL extension Development surrounding Cross County extension

The basic theory of TOD is to produce land use plans which will increase access to jobs, retail and residential areas and in turn people will use their cars less frequently; instead walking, bicycling and taking transit more often.

There are several types of TOD that can be incorporated into various neighborhoods depending on the existing development surrounding the planned station. One type of TOD occurs around stations that currently have no or little development. These plans usually involve a mixed used development, which includes housing, retail and commercial space with a town center configuration. The plan creates a town center with the retail and commercial within walking distance of the residential area. The commercial center is then connected to a nearby transit stop thus creating transit oriented development.

The second type of transit oriented development occurs in established neighborhoods. This type of development generally is a result of rehabbing existing buildings and adding new buildings to the site around or adjacent to the transit stop. This type of development provides the opportunity for infill in the existing neighborhoods. Mixed-use development with first floor retail and second floor residential and commercial is frequently found in many of these plans. Coffee shops, dry cleaners, newspaper stands and other convenient stores are attracted to these areas. The idea is to concentrate daily conveniences in and around transit stops, which will encourage people to use transit.

Benefits of TOD:

Affordability:

With TOD, MetroLink riders don't need parking spaces everywhere they go. As they walk to and from the train, they are more inclined to shop, stop and get a cup of coffee, go to a ballgame or interact with their neighbors; providing developers that extra advantage when choosing an investment location.