If a joint development project includes community service or publicly-operated facilities, or affordable housing, is it subject to the “fair share of revenue” minimum threshold?

When a joint development includes a community service or publicly-operated facility, or affordable housing, FTA recognizes that the revenue generated may be less than what would be generated from a market-rate commercial, residential, or mixed-use development. As such, the resulting fair share...

How is the minimum threshold for a "fair share of revenue" calculated?

Project sponsors and other joint development participants determine the amount of revenue expected to be generated by the project and negotiate the share of that revenue the project sponsor will receive, taking into consideration the type of project and priorities that the project sponsor and/or...

How do I demonstrate an “economic benefit” or a “transit benefit” to FTA’s satisfaction?

While FTA does not set a threshold for satisfying the Economic Benefit or Transit Benefit criteria, it does require project sponsors to demonstrate that the joint development meets the criteria. FTA may decline approval for a joint development if the project sponsor does not sufficiently address...

What are the eligibility criteria for FTA-assisted joint development projects?

Joint development projects are eligible for FTA funding if they meet the following eligibility criteria:

Criterion 1 – Economic Benefit: Projects must either generate a positive economic impact in the community surrounding a transit facility or incorporate private investment to help pay...

If a joint development project replaces a parking facility for transit customers does the joint development need to replace the same number of parking spaces?

No. When surface parking is converted to joint development, FTA does not require the project sponsor to replace parking spaces at a one-to-one ratio.

However, as with any FTA-assisted joint development, the conversion of parking to joint development must benefit transit and...

Does FTA require a competitive procurement process to select a joint development partner?

Any procurements assisted with FTA funds, including those for FTA-assisted joint development, must adhere to certain standards, among which is the requirement for full and open competition. If FTA is not funding the project, FTA encourages project sponsors to engage in fair and competitive...

Is there a dedicated FTA funding program for eligible joint development activities?

No, FTA does not have a dedicated funding program for joint development activities. Rather, eligible joint development expenses can be funded through all of FTA’s capital grant programs, including:

What are the differences between FTA’s definitions of joint development, disposition, incidental use, shared use?

FTA’s policy guidance includes the following definitions.

FTA Definition of Disposition: The settlement of the federal interest in project property that is no longer needed for the originally authorized purpose.

Distinction with Joint Development:

What is “FTA-assisted joint development?”

The definition of “joint development” in FTA Circular 7050.1A is “a public transportation project that integrally relates to, and often co-locates with commercial, residential, mixed-use, or other non-transit development. Joint development may include partnerships for public or private...

What is the difference between joint development and transit-oriented development (TOD)?

The 2007 report, “TOD 101: Transit-Oriented Development and Why Now?” by Reconnecting America and the Center for Transit-Oriented Development, defines transit-oriented development (TOD) like this:

TOD is not just development near transit. It’s development that also: