Creating Vibrant, Walkable Communities
2018 LCI Study Application Period is Now Open
Applications are due Nov 17th
The Atlanta Regional Commission’s Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) is a grant program that incentivizes local jurisdictions to re-envision their communities as vibrant, walkable places that offer increased mobility options, encourage healthy lifestyles and provide improved access to jobs and services.
Since 2000, the LCI program has invested $201 million in 120 communities throughout the Atlanta region, helping pay for planning studies and the construction of transportation projects, such as sidewalks and intersection improvements, to bring those visions to life. The ARC board has allocated $314 million through 2030 to fund transportation projects resulting from completed LCI studies.
The LCI program is funded with federal transportation dollars. The grants cover 80 percent of the cost of each study or transportation project, with the recipient making a 20 percent match.
LCI: Transforming Communities
The LCI program is paying dividends. The creation of more vibrant, walkable communities means fewer vehicles on the road and cleaner air for all of us. Since the program began in 2000, vehicle miles traveled per capita each day has dropped 13 percent. At the same time, communities are re-imagining their public spaces. Public parks have been established in more than half of LCI areas, while public art has been installed in one-third of LCI areas.
And the program has also helped spark economic development. LCI communities cover less than four percent of metro Atlanta’s land area but contain 7 percent of the region’s residential development, 29 percent of its commercial development and 69 percent of its office development.
LCI Program Goals
- Providing access to a variety of travel modes including transit, roadways, walking and biking
- Encouraging mixed-income residential neighborhoods, employment, shopping and recreation options
- Developing an outreach process that promotes the involvement of all stakeholders
2017 LCI Planning Grant Recipients
City of Ball Ground
Grant amount: $100,000
The City of Ball Ground will use its LCI grant to address truck traffic and create a blueprint for new development in its downtown district in a manner compatible with the historic significance of the area.
Central Atlanta Progress
Grant amount: $32,000
In conjunction with three existing LCI areas, Central Atlanta Progress will analyze land use, zoning and transportation needs in the City of Atlanta’s Memorial Drive corridor and develop recommendations for legislative and regulatory changes.
City of Atlanta
Grant amount: $100,000
This major plan update to the Greenbriar Town Center LCI will identify creative ways to generate economic development opportunities in the Greenbriar Mall area, a key goal of the Invest in Southwest Atlanta Task Force.
Gwinnett Village CID
Grant amount: $136,000
This major update to an existing LCI plan aims to improve livability, accessibility and sustainability along the Jimmy Carter Boulevard corridor.
City of Holly Springs
Grant amount: $56,000
This update to the Holly Springs LCI study will further refine the goal of creating a walkable, vibrant downtown with a variety of housing.
City of Sugar Hill
Grant amount: $55,000
This major plan update to the Downtown Sugar Hill LCI study will establish new goals for the area and ensure that development regulations are aligned with the LCI plan.
Aerotropolis Atlanta Community Improvement Districts
Grant amount: $160,000
This supplemental study will develop a plan for a trail network that connects the communities around Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as well as the Atlanta Beltline, the Phoenix Trail, and Southtown Trail.
City of Alpharetta
Grant amount: $100,000
This supplemental study will develop a plan to transform the North Point Parkway area into a more vibrant area featuring a mix of businesses and residences that offers people the ability to walk to work, shopping and transit options.
Cumberland Community Improvement District
Grant amount: $50,000
This supplemental study will assess the feasibility of, and the demand for, a bike sharing system in the Cumberland Galleria area, and will identify potential station locations.
City of Decatur, City of Atlanta, MARTA
Grant amount: $100,000
This supplemental study will develop conceptual plans for development at the East Lake MARTA Station and pedestrian/bicycle connections to surrounding neighborhoods and amenities.
City of Hampton
Grant amount: $96,000
This supplemental study will update the city’s development regulations in the LCI area to better support bicycling and walking.
Search LCI Database
Search our database of LCI studies and plan updates completed by LCI Recipients.
LCI Boundaries Available for Google Earth
Download LCI Boundaries in Google Earth (KMZ – Google Earth file)
Download Google Earth
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!