HUNTSVILLE – The city of Huntsville’s Planning Department will host an event this week for public input on a study analyzing how best to merge public transportation and development along University Drive.
The kickoff of the University-Medical Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Study is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the University of Alabama in Huntsville Charger Union Theater.
Following the formal presentation, a more casual gathering will be at The Camp in the MidCity District on University Drive.
“We’re excited to hear ideas and suggestions from the public as the TOD study continues to evolve into a firm strategy for this critical corridor,” Manager of Urban and Long-Range Planning Dennis Madsen said. “Public comment is vital in providing a unique perspective in unlocking or further expanding ideas. We’re eager to hear what everyone has to offer.”
In December, Huntsville was awarded an $850,000 pilot program grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Authority to fund the University Drive corridor study.
TODs, conceived by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, are an approach to urban development designed to bringing people, services and activities together with quality public transit supported by walking and cycling conditions to facilitate shorter trips, better lifestyles and more efficient use of city resources.
The study will analyze three key population nodes along University Drive: the area in and around the Northwoods community, the planned development at Executive Plaza on the campus of the University of Alabama in Huntsville and MidCity District. The clusters present a unique opportunity for residential development, including housing for essential workers, students and families.
The study will also examine a variety of affordable housing policies for different needs and conceptualize designs of station areas and first/last mile connections to visualize how TOD might appear along the corridor and link to nearby areas.CIty
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