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GCC Toolkit

A free resource to help better advocate for sound transit station development. View the Table of Contents here.

Success

Since 2006, Great Communities Collaborative (GCC) has worked throughout the Bay Area and proven that when residents are involved in shaping the future of their cities, a broad range of benefits related to equity and the environment can be created. GCC contributed to the the following accomplishments:

  • Encouraging Extensive Local Involvement - Partners helped 25 communities work with their local governments on either drafting or completing Station Area Plans (SAPs).  The plans in which GCC was involved were passed by city councils with unprecedented degrees of density, affordable housing, community amenities (such as childcare and parks), and in some cases local-hire provisions. 
  • Attracting Regional Funds Towards Smart Growth - Regional agencies tripled their financial commitment to the Station Area Planning grant program from $7 million to $21 million for local planning in the past five years, recognizing the sites where the GCC works as examples of best practices.
  • Directing Resources Towards Building Affordable Homes - GCC envisioned and was instrumental in catalyzing an initial $10 million grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) leading to the creation of the Bay Area Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing Fund.  The fund provides low-interest loans to developers of affordable housing with excellent access to public transit.  The fund, managed by a consortium of six Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs), launched in March 2011 and is now capitalized at $50 million. 

The Bay Area is considered a statewide and national example of good planning practice and as a place to watch for its potential for innovation. GCC has grown, fostering change at different policy levels and generating success stories for the transit-oriented development field.  Partners have shared the GCC’s stories and lessons to inform the creation of similar partnerships around the country.

Awards

GCC has been recognized by the American Planning Association (APA) for helping shape high-quality, transit-oriented plans.

  • GCC received the 2010 Outstanding Planning: Education Award from the California Northern Section and California State Chapter.

The following GCC sites have received individual awards:

  • The International Blvd Transit-Oriented Development Project received the
    2011 Grassroots Initiative Award from the California Northern Section and California State Chapter.
  • The Santa Rosa Downtown Area Specific Plan received the
    2009 Issue Planning – Award of Merit from the California Northern Section.
  • The Downtown San Leandro TOD Strategy Plan received the
    2009 Focused Issue Planning Award from the California Northern Section.