Livable Centers Initiative (LCI) - Atlanta Regional Commission

Creating Vibrant, Walkable Communities

Created as a way to reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality, the ARC'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.

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Program Overview

Since 2000, the LCI program has invested over $312 million in more than 130 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 $600 million through 2050 for transportation projects resulting from completed LCI studies.

The LCI program is funded with federal transportation dollars. The grants cover 80% of the cost of each study or transportation project, with the recipient making a 20% match.

Program Goals

Encourage a diversity of housing, employment, commercial, shopping and recreation land uses at the transit station, local and regional center level accessible by people of all ages, abilities, and income levels,
Provide access to a range of travel modes including transit, roadways, walking and biking and increase roadway connectivity to provide optimal access to all uses within the study area,
Foster public-private partnerships and sustained community support through an outreach process that promotes the involvement of all stakeholders, including those historically underserved or underrepresented,
Encourage mixed-income residential neighborhoods, employment, shopping, and recreation options.

Livable Centers Initiative Application Guidebook

Take a look at the application guidebook to learn more about program goals and application requirements.

Download the Guidebook

View a PDF of the application (117 KB). Note that all applications will need to be submitted through the form linked at the top of the page.

Call for Projects

The 2024 Call for Projects is now open.

December

Ideas Exchange

Ideas Exchange at the Land Use Coordinating Committee (LUCC) meeting at Pittsburgh Yards on December 6, 2023
January

Application Opens & Call for Projects

Application window opens in early January. On January 17, 2024, there will be a Call for Projects at the LUCC meeting at the Cumberland CID office.
February

Application Period Ends

Application submittal window closes on February 29, 2024
May

Awardees Announced

Grant Awardees Announced – Selected studies are announced at the May Community Resources Committee (CRC) or ARC Board Meeting

Contract Guidance and Requirements

Please see the ARC Contract Guidance and Requirements for further information on receiving federal funds, including procurement procedures and subcontracting requirements.

LCI Transportation

Communities that have completed an LCI study are eligible to apply for funding for transportation projects that support the goals of their study and the program as a whole. Funding for LCI transportation projects comes through ARC’s Transportation Improvement Program.

ARC held a solicitation for LCI Project Implementation Proposals in the Fall of 2021. Project announcement has been be made on the LCI Transportation Program page.

Resources

Search LCI Database
Search our database of LCI studies and plan updates completed by LCI Recipients.
LCI Interactive Map
View where LCI communities are located throughout the region.
LCI GIS Data and Information

Community Development Assistance Program

The Community Development Assistance Program (CDAP) provides planning assistance to local governments, CIDs, & non-profits across the metro Atlanta region to undertake local planning activities that advance the goals of the Atlanta Region’s Plan.

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