The Del Mar Gold Line Station. It sure looks like TOD, but does it pass the coffee test? Photo by EPA Smart Growth.
Here’s something to ponder over your morning cup of joe: what makes good Transit Oriented Development (TOD)?
An article entitled ReThinking TOD set me on this train of thought. Alan Huynh, a professional transportation planner, notes that while the success of TOD’s are dependent on many different elements, it all comes down to one measure: walkability.
As Huynh so aptly puts it: “What’s the first thing someone does when they get off transit? Walk. You have to walk to a destination.”
Huynh has developed a simple but effective metric for measuring walkability: the coffee shop measure.
“Coffee shops are a good measure of how walkable an area is mainly because everyone walks to get their coffee. Starbucks has intrinsic data measuring the effectiveness of the walk-in coffee v. the drive through coffee shop, and has created many more walk-in coffee stores rather than the drive through coffee shops. By measuring the walking distance and time that exists between the closest coffee shop and station site, we can measure the walkability of the station.”
He brings his argument close to home by reviewing the effectiveness of our own Del Mar Gold Line Station. While Del Mar features tightly integrated residential development (literally on top of the station) and a pleasant plaza design, it lacks number of factors that Huynh requires for good TOD – including the all important coffee shop measure. There is a Coffee Bean nearby in Old Town Pasadena and a Starbucks on Fair Oaks — both a five to 10-minute walk from the station. Not good enough according to Huynh.
So as you sip your coffee this morning, I recommend checking out the article. Are there any examples of TOD in L.A. that do meet the coffee shop measure? The Wilshire/Vermont Red/Purple Line Station comes to mind, there’s a Coffee Bean integrated nicely into the plaza just outside the station portal. And what can be done for the ones, like Del Mar, that currently miss the mark?
Can’t you get coffee at La Grande Orange?
I think you can Robb. But I reading the article it seems Huynh takes issue with the “sit-down” nature of La Grande Orange. But you’re right, a cup of coffee is a cup of coffee. Of course, does that change Del Mar’s rating – or is it still too insular?
Fred Camino
Contributor, The Source
Nice article, Fred! I’d add that good TOD shouldn’t have a bunch of free or cheap parking, or parking that’s bundled with rent. Those tend to put a big thumb on the scale for owning and using a car, which is counter-productive for a good TOD project.
I think there is a coffee shop near or adjacent to just about every one of the unopened Expo Line stations except for the Culver City station at Robertson. My Expo Line station at Jefferson/La Cienega especially with a Starbucks at the northeast corner along with some other restaurants, then further south at the next major street, Rodeo, Target and a gang of others.
From that station, I’d go to Whole Foods for coffee.
After exiting the 7th/Metro station this morning on my way to a meeting (from the Hope Street exit… I was looking for Flower, but somehow missed it), I passed a coffee shop, and then Famima, an upscale convenience store that also sells hot coffee, within the block.
Cafe Alibi is at the opposite corner of central park at the castle green
Can we get to the basic? Accessibility instead of restaurant, expensive apartment, coffee, and yes parking lots.
The problem is lack of access to anywhere
Talking about TOD. I like the one in DC. I went to the Pentagon City and Crystal city station. The apartments are right above the shopping complexes. The shopping center is right by the station. Pentagon City Mall is 3 story mall. Crystal city is a maze of shopping center. For the first timer, people may get lost. I also saw small offices in Crystal City. Apartments in both areas are not cheap. However, people have option to take rails/buses to DC, Maryland or VA.
What about LA? Except arrogant designs. I go to Pasadena all the time. There are some TOD. Very pricey, its like people who could afford 2 ferrari could live there. There is one fancy apartment right by memorial Park. How to get to shopping in old town. Walk 10minutes. most people probably drive. El Paseo is within 10 minute walking distance. You have to walk 10minute (and cross couple streets) to get to the stations. El Paseo, and it meets the coffee requirement and has a small grocery store. Sierra Madre, same thing, expensive apartment
TOD in LA means living in fancy apartment. If you feel like, you walk 10 minutes to shop. Work, most likely people drive because our transits don’t go anywhere
My North Hollywood stop passes this test — there’s a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf right across the street. Maybe a minute’s walk.
Now if only I was allowed take my morning cup of coffee with me on the subway…
Coffee is not the true test. It’s what Carter mentioned…the availiabilty of parking. If parking is significant, bundled with rent (if apt complex or office lease), and either cheap ($2 cheap like H/H) or free…what’s the point of taking Metro rail or bus? Please cut the down the amount of parking at TOD’s. I heard there is a 10% reduction of parking requirements, but even that is low. Not everyone needs to drive. Otherwise, we create these mostrosities of buildings, that need so much space that small, reasonably priced, affordable, dense and compact housing is unachievable.
LAofAnaheim:
Let’s consider this though: limited parking, but also limited walkable amenities. Does that make good TOD? In my opinion it just creates a transit oriented island (or prison?). You don’t want to have to take transit to get coffee, or shop for basics – those should be walkable with in the TOD.
Here’s a personal example. I live in Downtown L.A. My apartment is quite literally surrounded by a sea of surface parking lots. But, I also have a Ralphs, coffee shop, a few casual restaurants, a couple bars all within a two block radius. It makes it really easy not to own a car (or be tempted to) despite the plethora of parking. Of course, of those lots were replaced with even more useful uses, all the better.