Lowcountry Rapid Transit Secures $1.2M for Affordable Housing, Connectivity Projects
The Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) in Lowcountry, South Carolina, has recently been granted a substantial sum for the execution of its next project phase. LCRT announced their victorious receipt of a $1.2 million grant, the funds of which will be directed toward the third phase of their Transit Oriented Development Study. The critical project intends to design an affordable housing blueprint notably along the LCRT line area.
Plans for the Grant Money
CARTA Chairman and Charleston City Councilmember Mike Seekings outlines that the planning work under Phase 3 of the LCRT TOD Study will push the alignment of regional attainable housing initiatives with the existing bike, pedestrian, and transit infrastructure. This coordinated effort is projected to support multimodal connectivity and offer residents secure access to transit stations either by foot or bike.
The Federal Transit Administration’s Pilot Program for Transit Oriented Development planning provides a significant portion of the grant funding. This financial boost will further enhance the LCRT’s mission of creating a sense of community through increased mobility and meaningful housing solutions.
The Story So Far
The LCRT’s ongoing study has been conducted in stages. Phase one of the study concluded that over half of the renters in the LCRT corridor are burdened by housing costs. The study has set an ambitious target of 20% affordable housing units along the bus rapid transit line as part of the response to this significant finding.
According to North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess, Lowcountry Rapid Transit is a step in the right direction for the community. The project reaches beyond merely improving transportation. It has emerged as a holistic approach to inclusive growth and prosperity throughout the region. The strategic plan leverages infrastructure to establish a platform for future development.
The Future of LCRT
With the new funding in place, the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project moves forward into its third phase, where the creation of an affordable housing blueprint in the area of the LCRT line becomes the focal point. The project promises to transform the community by aligning housing initiatives with multimodal transit options and providing residents with safe, accessible modes of transportation.
LCRT’s grant-based initiative, combined with strategically implemented regional attainable housing strategies, presents an optimistic future. These developments will not only ameliorate existing housing burdens but also create unprecedented opportunities for a community thriving on inclusivity and prosperity.
