Hennepin County’s Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) program invests in walkable, mixed-use, human-centered neighborhoods around high-quality transit service. Transit oriented development projects and adjacent public realm infrastructure incorporate details that prioritize people, supporting or creating walkable, mixed-use, human-centered communities that leverage transit service.

The TOC program supports hard construction costs of transit-oriented development real estate projects and public infrastructure projects soon to get underway.

On this page

• Transit Oriented Communities
• Predevelopment assistance

2024 TOC application

The 2024 TOC RFA has closed for the year. 

Important Dates

• TA sessions: Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss program eligibility prior to applying. Technical assistance sessions have closed for the year. 
• TOC RFA opens: February 1, 2024
• Applications due: February 29, 2024, by 3 p.m. 
• Awards: Anticipated in June 2024

Who can apply 

Developers, nonprofits engaged in development/redevelopment, government agencies and related development authorities.

Funding available

$2.2 million is available for TOC and predevelopment in 2024.

Related links and materials

• 2024 TOC guidelines (PDF)
• 2024 TOC FAQ (PDF)
• 2023 TOC guidelines (PDF)
• TOC eligible areas and job and activity centers (interactive map)
• Hennepin County transit website
• Coordinated affordable housing development request for proposals website

Project examples

• Development/redevelopment, including substantial renovation and expansions of housing, mixed-use and/or commercial projects
• Comprehensive public infrastructure projects
• Strategic property acquisition by local government agencies to preserve land for future transit-oriented development

Community impact

Transit oriented communities include a mix of places to live, work, and play within close proximity to one another, and see improved health outcomes and environmental benefits due to increased rates of walking, biking, and transit usage. Expanded housing options with connections to jobs, retail and services can reduce housing and transportation costs for residents and increase economic opportunity.

Since 2003, Hennepin County has awarded more than $47 million to 165 projects along key Hennepin County light rail transit corridors and other high frequency and express bus routes. These investments have created or retained more than 13,000 housing units, 3,300 jobs, and more than 2.5 million square feet of commercial space across the county. Projects also created and improved pedestrian and bicycle access to public transit. 

2023 impacts

In the 2023 funding round, $2 million was awarded to six projects. Projects included four housing/mixed-use projects and two commercial projects. The overall impact was $180 million in total development value. Projects will create or retain 325 jobs and nearly 110,000 square feet of commercial space. 

See all the 2023 project awards (PDF). 

Some past TOC funded projects include: 

• The Coliseum, Minneapolis: The redevelopment of the historic Coliseum Building provides 70,000 square feet of commercial space for 25 local Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) professionals and firms and will create 120 new jobs.
• 325 Blake Road, Hopkins: A two-phased mixed-use development that provides 800 housing units, including 200 affordable units, 18,000 square feet of commercial space, and expands the Minnehaha Creek Greenway.
• Wooddale Station, St. Louis Park: The development of housing and commercial space adjacent to the Greenline LRT Wooddale station brings 315 affordable housing units and 13,000 square feet of commercial space and a public plaza connecting to the station.
  

Predevelopment program

Hennepin County’s Transit Oriented Communities Predevelopment Assistance supports emerging developers, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, overcome barriers to financial and knowledge capital often needed to enter the real estate development industry as they actively pursue one of their first development projects. 

This program provides no-cost, predevelopment assistance through qualified third-party professionals selected and paid for by the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HCHRA). It is intended to supplement, not fully replace, developer funds, and selected developers must be able to commit at least 20% of the amount requested to complete the desired predevelopment activities.

Eligible projects include commercial, mixed-use, or multifamily real estate development projects that advance TOC principles and must be located in Hennepin County within a TOC Eligible Area as shown on this map.

2024 predevelopment application

The 2024 TOC Predevelopment Assistance Program has closed for the year. 

Important dates

• TA sessions: Applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss program eligibility prior to applying in a technical assistance (TA) session. Technical assistance sessions have closed for the year. 
• Applications due: February 22 by 3 p.m. (The TOC Predevelopment deadline has been extended from February 15.)
• Awards: Anticipated in April 2024
• Deadline: Predevelopment services must be completed by September 2024

Funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible developers who submit completed applications by February 15. Once selected developers are notified, they will complete an intake process with the HCHRA to verify eligibility, award amount, approved services, and assigned consultant(s). Selected developers will then meet with their assigned consultant(s) to establish a mutually agreed upon scope of work.

Who can apply

Related links and materials

• Predevelopment program guidelines
• TOC eligible areas and job and activity centers – interactive map

Project examples

Examples of predevelopment assistance available:

• Refining the project concept
• Determining development capacity of site
• Conceptual site plans
• Conceptual architectural renderings, e.g., elevations and floor plans
• Identifying and assembling relevant capital finance sources
• Preliminary cost estimates
• Developing a real estate development capital budget, proforma, financial analysis
• Assistance with assembling a development team and preparing for the entitlement process

Please review the predevelopment program guidelines and contact Zack Avre (zack.avre@hennepin.us) for more eligibility and project specifics.

Community Impact

Since 2022, Hennepin County has awarded $300,000 in value for predevelopment assistance, helping thirteen emerging developers bring their projects to fruition.