The Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission (NIRPC) is a regional council of local governments serving the citizens of Lake, Porter, and LaPorte counties in Northwest Indiana. Lakeshore Public Radio host Tom Maloney speaks with Eman Ibrahim, Planning Manager for NIRPC about new program funding to support the economic development opportunities along the NICTD Westlake commuter rail corridor and the South Shore Line double-track project. In addition to the thirteen stations of rail lines, NIRPC identified five bus stations in East Chicago, Gary, Merrillville, and Valparaiso. To determine the funding and investment needed for each area, NIRPC developed a TOD Report that includes an analysis and typologies to evaluate the TOD readiness of the selected eighteen station areas throughout the region.
NIRPC planners prepared general guidance and criteria for NWI municipalities aiding with application development. The studies identified a typology system to evaluate residential and commercial property balance, amenities, and opportunities to improve station access, density, safety, walkability, and biking features.
The TOD program will support new Transportation Development Districts (TDD), state designations that open local and state funding for economic development near transit stations. To read the full report, please visit: http://ow.ly/IlOP50MXglW
