The Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) is a program that awards planning grants on a competitive basis to local governments and nonprofit organizations to prepare plans for the enhancement of existing centers and corridors consistent with regional development policies.
LCI Recipients
The ARC Board has approved $18 million in study funds - $1 million annually - for use in years 2000 to 2017. The ARC Board also approved an initial allocation of $350 million for priority funding of transportation projects resulting from Livable Centers Initiative studies. An additional $150 million was approved for these projects in the 2030 RTP, for a total commitment of $500 million dedicated to transportation projects resulting from completed LCI studies.
2012 LCI Application Period Now Closed
The application period for 2012 LCI studies closed on Friday, December 16, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. ARC anticipates announcing its selections before the end of the first quarter of 2012.
Since its inception, the LCI program has been a significant initiative to support regional plan implementation at the local level by providing funds directly to communities to prepare studies with local relevance and regional impact. The evolution of the LCI program in relation to PLAN 2040 will provide more local flexibility but create an even stronger link to regional plan implementation. In addition, ARC staff received positive feedback during 2011 for continued planning and implementation assistance in existing LCI communities going forward; therefore, ARC will be committing at least 50 percent of 2012 LCI study funds to the support of existing LCI communities. While many communities have an excellent record of LCI implementation, it is clear that additional assistance is needed to further the efforts of local governments and CIDs/non-profits in existing LCI areas.
ARC accepted 2012 LCI study application requests in three program areas:
-
New LCI study areas
-
LCI Supplemental Studies
-
PLAN 2040 LCI Innovation
For reference, these program areas are described more fully in the application package below. Links to other important resources are also available below.
Search LCI Database
Click the button below to search a database of LCI studies and other materials completed by LCI Recipients.
LCI Boundaries Available for Google Earth
ARC Hosts Peer Exchange - Report Available
In August 2010, ARC hosted a Peer Exchange, which was sponsored by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) through their Transportation Planning Capacity Building program (TPCB). The Peer Exchange focused on “Best Practices in MPO Livability Programs.”
Learning and engaging peer regions with similar programs allowed ARC to explore strategies that have been tested and proven throughout the country. The following six peer regions attended the Exchange, which lasted two days and was held at ARC’s offices:
- Portland Metro, serving the Portland Oregon area
- Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), serving the Greater Philadelphia area
- North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area
- Albany Capitol District Transportation Committee (CDTC), serving the Albany New York area
- Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), serving the Denver area
- Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), serving the San Francisco Bay area
FHWA and FTA wrote a report documenting the presentations and discussions from the peer exchange (PDF), which can be downloaded through their website.
LCI Interactive Map
Click the button below to launch the LCI Interactive Map. Through the interactive map you can view where LCI communities are located throughout the region. By clicking on an LCI area you can view all funding information pertaining to that study area, as well as study documents and transportation project information. Use the tools of the top of the page to get started!
LCI Highlighted at CNU 18
LCI was highlighted during the recent CNU 18 national conference in Atlanta in the session titled "Reinvigorating Existing Suburban Centers: The LCI Experience". This session featured presentations from Tom Weyandt with the Atlanta Regional Commission, Randy Vinson with the City of Covington, Yvonne Williams with the Perimeter CIDs, Marty Allen with the City of Suwanee, Lyn Menne with the City of Decatur, and Andrew Dannenberg with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can view the PowerPoint presentations below.
"ARC Livable Centers Initiative: Catalyst for Change"
| | Created in 1999, the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Livable Centers Initiative program connects homes, shops and offices, enhances streetscapes and sidewalks, emphasizes pedestrians, improves access to transit options and expands housing choices. This nine-minute video explores the LCI program and profiles three LCI communities – West End, Woodstock and Perimeter Center Community Improvement Districts. |
Video: "Livable, Healthy Communities"
This episode showcases new developments in communities across the region that promote quality growth principles by successfully mixing live, work and play options. The show also includes interviews with experts in development, housing, community improvement and livable communities.
Watch the episode...