Livable Centers Initiative

Status Report

Planning Studies:
$5 million available over 5 years; $1 million annually for FY 2000 to 2004.

•	FY 2000 – 12 studies completed and final reports received by ARC.
•	FY 2001 – 10 studies completed and final reports received by ARC.
•	FY 2002 – 10 studies completed.  Communities in the process of completing their final reports. 
•	FY 2003 – 24 applications received.  Announced 10 funded studies.
•	Grandfathered – Six communities have been “grandfathered” as completing equivalent LCI studies; these are Decatur, Emory, Mableton, Midtown Alliance, Roswell and Suwanee. ARC staff developed detailed criteria and a review process to consider grandfathered studies. 
•	Planning studies final reports available on ARC website, www.atlantaregional.com

TIP Construction Funds:
$350 million available in the RTP; first available in 2003 TIP.

•	2003 TIP – $18 million available July 2002. Distributed to 18 projects in 9 communities.
•	2004 TIP – $22 million available July 2003. Distributed to 26 projects in 16 communities. Includes $5.5 million uncommitted and available for new project designs (call for projects anticipated in January 2003)
•	2005 TIP – $33 million as a lump sum; $30 million available for new project design and construction.

Other:
•	Evaluation – ARC surveyed the LCI recipients and their consultants to gauge the successfulness of the LCI program from the “user’s” perspective. The vast majority of the responses were very positive. The Kenneth Cole Fellows from Emory University conducted a more detailed program evaluation during the summer of 2002. The results of these evaluations were used to make improvements to the LCI program.
•	Implementation Studies – ARC staff and the LCI Review Committee’s recommendations for the 2002 planning studies includes a set-aside of approximately $83,000 for an “implementation studies” pilot program. This money was made available to all communities with completed LCI studies to assist with efforts to implement their plans. The money was awarded to 5 communities for studies such as new design regulations, overlay districts, market assessment and housing needs analysis.  Another $83,000 will be provided in 2003.