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House Bill 6114 Could Spark Thousands of Jobs, Billions in Investments Related to New Rapid Transit Systems in Michigan

Passage Would Jumpstart “Transit-Oriented Development” in Detroit, Grand Rapids

NEWS FACTS:

LANSING, Mich. – Business and local government leaders urged the Legislature to pass House Bill 6114, legislation on the floor of the state House of Representatives that would help jumpstart Michigan’s stalled economy by sparking jobs and commercial and residential development near public transit stations.

The bill is a “public policy first step” to support future light rail and other rapid transit systems in Detroit, Grand Rapids and other Michigan urban centers, backers of HB 6114 said.

A new rapid transit project has already been approved for Grand Rapids. Business leaders in Metro Detroit are soon expected to disclose details of a privately funded, 3.4-mile light rail loop that would run between Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit and key businesses and entertainment attractions along Woodward Avenue. In addition, the state and Southeast Michigan Council of Governments are working toward a 48-mile, high-speed commuter rail line between Ann Arbor and Detroit.

The Detroit Regional Chamber, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Municipal League and others called on the Legislature to pass House Bill 6114 before the end of the year.

Dallas, Minneapolis, St. Louis and Charlotte, N.C., are among the major U. S. cities that, in recent years, have created thousands of jobs and attracted billions of dollars in new developments and redevelopments by building and expanding light rail systems. The transit systems are credited with sparking the construction of new apartments and condominium units, restaurants, office buildings, retail stores, cafes, movie theaters, centers for the arts, and much more. Development around transit stations and systems is called ” transit-oriented development.”

Specifically, House Bill 6114 would create geographic “transit revitalization investment zones” around rapid transit stations. As commercial and residential development occurs in the zones, the resulting growth in property tax revenues would be used to fund the operation, maintenance or infrastructure of the transit station and related facilities.

QUOTES:

“Building and expanding rapid transit systems are proven generators of thousands of jobs and billions in economic development projects in cities and states across the nation. As rapid transit is introduced to Michigan cities, House Bill 6114 will help create jobs and development around the transit stops and stations,” said David Worthams, legislative associate with the Michigan Municipal League (MML), which proposed the idea of House Bill 6114 to state Rep. Marie Donigan, D-Royal Oak, the bill’s main sponsor.

“Creating true rapid transit systems in Metro Detroit, Grand Rapids and other Michigan cities will create jobs and economic development. So what are we waiting for? We need to pass this bill now to help support the transit projects that are on the books and on their way,” said State Representative Marie Donigan.

“We need a variety of economic development tools to restart Michigan’s economy. This legislation encourages the creation of transit-oriented development, especially in urban areas in need of revitalization. It’s a win-win in that it could provide a new source of funding for transit projects while promoting development and smart growth,” said Peter Varga, CEO of The Rapid and Chair of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce.

“To create jobs, promote economic development, provide alternatives to outrageous gas prices and oil dependence, and many other benefits, the time is right for significant rapid transit in Detroit and Michigan. HB 6114 is a tool that will help Detroit, Grand Rapids and other Michigan cities attract the jobs and development that transit projects are generating in other major cities across the country,” said Megan Owen, Executive Director of Transportation Riders United.

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