New round of Livable Centers studies

Walkable, mixed-use

Jon Boyd, Sep 13, 10.

Houston-Galveston Area Council is looking for local government sponsors for Livable Centers studies. Any government entity within the eight-county Transportation Management Area “that can receive federal transportation funding and implement transportation projects,” is eligible, including management districts and TIRZs. The eight-county Transportation Management Area, or the area under the planning jurisdiction of the Transportation Policy Council (TPC), includes Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, and Waller Counties.

H-GAC notes the purpose of these studies in their e-mail blast:

The Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) is seeking proposals from local governments or other eligible project sponsors to conduct Livable Centers planning studies. The objective of the planning studies is to help create quality, walkable, mixed-use places, create multi-modal travel choices, improve environmental quality, and promote economic development and housing choice. Study recommendations will ideally lead to locally sponsored Livable Centers projects for possible inclusion in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and future Transportation Improvements Improvement Programs (TIP).

Jeff Taebel addressed the TPC with a Livable Centers update at the August 23, 2010 meeting, also reported by Houston Tomorrow. Livable Centers studies have been completed in the East End, Midtown, Tomball, and Waller. Several studies are underway in the Energy District Corridor, Fourth Ward, Northside, and the Upper Kirby District. Several sponsors have indicated an interest in participating in future studies: Clear Lake Shores, League City, Near Northwest Management District, Pearland, and the Washington Corridor.

For more information about the application process and the program, please consult the Livable Centers website:
Livable Center main page
Planning studies
Past workshops
Publications

The Livable Centers Initiative is a similar program in the Atlanta region. Their program is administered by the Atlanta Regional Commission, the council of governments and metropolitan planning organization for the ten-county Greater Atlanta area.

(Image source: H-GAC)