Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently announced the launch of a new Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) Pilot Program to support community-driven projects that "promote healthy, affordable, and accessible development near transit."
The pilot program supports the implementation of the City of Chicago’s recently adopted ETOD Policy Plan. Adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission last week, the three-part ETOD plan was developed over the last two years to foster more equitable transit-oriented development citywide. The plan’s goals include driving investment in transit-oriented projects on the South, West, and Southwest sides while also preventing displacement and promoting affordability in the North and Northwest sides of the city.
"The ETOD Pilot Program is our city's latest equity-focused and inclusion-driven effort that will aid in the revitalization of neighborhoods and leverage the incredible infrastructure assets they possess—CTA, Metra, and Pace—to make them as vibrant, safe, and sustainable as possible," Mayor Lightfoot said in a statement. "Everyone in Chicago deserves to live in healthy, walkable neighborhoods with access to transportation options that not only connect them to opportunities in every corner of Chicago, but enhance their quality of life overall.”
The plan includes the launch of a $135,000 pilot program, crafted in partnership with Elevated Chicago, Enterprise Community Partners, and members of the city’s ETOD Working Group to support up to 10 community driven ETOD proposals. Pilots will be selected through a two-round application process. A selection committee of city staff, community groups, developers, and other experts will review and identify pilots.
Once selected, pilot projects will receive micro-grants to enhance equity-focused components in their proposals. Projects with a community ownership component will be eligible for larger grants of $20,000. More information can be found on the City of Chicago's website.
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SOURCE: City of Chicago
