Introduction

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. Two Executive Orders and related statutes further define populations that are protected under the umbrella of Title VI. Executive Order 12898 is concerned with environmental justice for minority and low-income populations.

Executive Order 13166 is concerned with providing equal access to services and benefits for those individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP).

The Boston Region MPO submitted a comprehensive triennial Title VI report to MassDOT in April 2011 and a revision of that report in June 2011. This report is an annual update and follows MassDOT’s Annual Title VI Report Template of April 2011. Only the policies and activities that have changed since the January 2012 annual update are discussed. If there are no changes to present in a report section, that fact is noted.

Section 1: Process Used to Select MPO and Regional Transportation Advisory Council Members

No changes to member selection processes. The Regional Transportation Advisory Council (Advisory Council) is an independent group charged with providing public input on transportation planning to the MPO. It is composed of citizen, professional, and transportation-advocacy groups, neighboring MPOs, and agencies. The Advisory Council provides a forum for broad-based discussions of transportation issues and is a major avenue for public participation in the MPO’s planning process. As a voting member of the MPO, the Advisory Council brings the perspectives of the public to the MPO for consideration as plans and programs are developed. Individuals are welcome to participate in all meetings of the Advisory Council, but membership is limited to public and private organizations and governmental units, including state agencies and municipalities. Entities are admitted to membership by vote of the existing members. A summary of an Advisory Council self-identification survey is provided as Appendix 1. The MPO is conducting outreach to make the membership more diverse.

Section 2: General Reporting Requirements [FTA C 4702.1A IV]

A. Title VI Coordinator

Alicia Wilson, Transportation Equity Manager

 

B. Annual Title VI Certification and Assurance [FTA C 4702.1A IV.1]

The MPO’s signed Title VI assurances are provided beginning on page 5. (Note that these documents were provided by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and MassDOT and are not in accessible formats. If you require assistance with these documents, please contact the MPO staff at 617.973.7100 (voice), 617.973.7089 (TTY), 617.973.8855 (fax), or publicinformation@ctps.org.)

C. Notification of Protection under Title VI [FTA C 4702.1A IV.5 and FTA C 4702.1A IV.7.a.5]

The MPO has developed the following notice to the public of protection under Title VI:

The Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. The MPO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, English proficiency, income, religious creed, ancestry, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or military service. Any person who believes herself/himself or any specific class of persons to have been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI or related statutes or regulations may, herself/himself or via a representative, file a written complaint with the MPO. A complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days after the date on which the person believes the discrimination occurred. A complaint form and additional information can be obtained by contacting the MPO (see below) or at www.bostonmpo.org.

The meeting locations are accessible to people with disabilities and are near public transportation. Upon request (preferably two weeks in advance of the meeting), every effort will be made to provide accommodations such as assistive listening devices, materials in accessible formats and in languages other than English, and interpreters in American Sign Language and other languages. Please contact the MPO staff at

 

http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/ejustice/facts/index.htm.

 

Additionally, Executive Order 13166, 3 C.F.R. 289 (2001) on Limited-English-Proficiency, according to the U.S. Department of Justice in its Policy Guidance Document dated August 16, 2000 (65 Fed. Reg. at 50123), clarifies the responsibilities associated with the “application of Title VI’s prohibition on national origin discrimination when information is provided only in English to persons with limited English proficiency.” When receiving Federal funds Recipients are expected to conduct a four-factor analysis to prevent discrimination based on National Origin. (See also U.S. DOT’s “Policy Guidance Concerning Recipients’ Responsibilities to Limited English Proficient (LEP) Persons,” dated December 14, 2005, (70 Fed. Reg. at 74087 to 74100); the Guidance is a useful resource when performing a Four-Factor Analysis).

 

General Assurances

In accordance with the Acts, the Regulations, and other pertinent directives, policy, memoranda, and/or guidance, Recipient hereby gives assurance that it will promptly take any measures necessary to ensure that

 

“No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity,” for which the Recipient receives Federal financial assistance from the USDOT, including the Federal Highway Administration.

 

The Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 clarified the original intent of Congress, with respect to Title VI and other Nondiscrimination requirements (The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) by restoring the broad, institution wide scope, and coverage of these nondiscrimination statutes and requirements to include all programs and activities of the Recipient, so long as any portion of the program is federally-assisted.

 

Additionally, the Recipient may not discriminate in the selection and retention of contractors, including without limitation, retaining contractors whose services are for, or incidental to, construction, planning, research, highway safety, engineering, property management, realty, fee contracts, and other commitments with persons for services and expenses incidental to the acquisition of rights-of-way.

 

Federal-aid contractors may not discriminate in their selection and retention of first-tier subcontractors and first-tier subcontractors may not discriminate in their selection and retention of second-tier subcontractors, who participate in Federal-aid highway construction, acquisition of rights-of-way, and related projects, including those who supply materials and lease equipment.

 

The Recipient may not discriminate against eligible persons in making relocation payments and in providing relocation advisory assistance where highway rights-of-way acquisitions necessitate relocation(s).

 

The Recipient may not discriminate by preventing Title VI/Nondiscrimination populations from accessing and utilizing facilities and services provided for public accommodations (i.e., eating, sleeping, rest, recreation, and vehicle servicing) constructed on, over, or under the rights-of-way of federally assisted highways.

 

The Recipient, its sub-recipients, contractors, subcontractors, and other persons subject to this Agreement may not discriminate in their employment practices in connection with highway construction projects or other projects assisted by the Federal Highway Administration.

 

The Recipient shall develop and implement a Public Participation Plan in a manner that ensures the identification of Title VI/Nondiscrimination population(s), affords the population(s) opportunities to comment, and provides an atmosphere where all comments are promptly addressed with regard to the location and design of highway construction projects. Additionally, the Recipient shall not locate, design, or construct a highway in such a manner as to deny access to, and use thereof, to any persons on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

 

More specifically and without limiting the above general Assurance, the Recipient agrees with and gives, the following Assurance with respect to its federally-assisted highway program, as follows:

 

1. The Recipient agrees that each “program” and each “facility” as defined in §§21.23 (b) and 21.23 (e) of 49 C.F.R. § 21 will be (with regard to a “program”) conducted, or will be (with regard to a “facility”) operated in compliance with all requirements imposed by, or pursuant to, the Acts and the Regulations;
   
   
2. The Recipient shall insert the following notification in all solicitations for bids and Requests For Proposals for work or material subject to the Acts and the Regulations made in connection with all Federal Highway Programs and, in adapted form, in all proposals for negotiated agreements regardless of funding source:
   
   “The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, in accordance with the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d to 2000d-4), other Nondiscrimination requirements (The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1973, The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990), and the Regulations, hereby notifies all bidders that it will affirmatively ensure that any contract entered into pursuant to this advertisement will be awarded without discrimination on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.”;
   
   
   
3. The Recipient shall insert the clauses of “Appendix A” of this Assurance in every contract or agreement subject to the Acts and the Regulations;
   
   
4. The Recipient shall insert the clauses of “Appendix B” of this Assurance, as a covenant running with the land, in any deed from the United States effecting or recording a transfer of real property, structures or improvements thereon or interest therein to a Recipient;
   
   
5. The Recipient shall insert the following language in all Federal-Aid Agreements entered into with the FHWA:
   
   “The State of Massachusetts, acting through its Department of Transportation (Recipient) HEREBY AGREES THAT, as a condition to receiving Federal financial assistance from the United States Department Of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, it is subject to and shall comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and additional Nondiscrimination requirements as detailed in the FHWA Assurances for Title VI and Other Nondiscrimination Statutes and Regulations document.”
   
   
6. That where the Recipient receives Federal financial assistance to construct a facility, or part of a facility, the Assurance shall extend to the entire facility and facilities operated in connection therewith;
   
   
7. That where the Recipient receives Federal financial assistance in the form, or for the acquisition of real property or an interest in real property, the Assurance shall extend to rights to space on, over or under such property;
   
   
8. That the Recipient shall “include the appropriate clauses set forth in Appendix C and Appendix D” of this Assurance, as a covenant running with the land, in any future deeds, leases, licenses, permits, or similar instruments entered into by the Recipient with other parties:
   
   
   • For the subsequent transfer of real property acquired or improved under the applicable Project or Program; and
   • For the construction or use of, or access to, space on, over, or under real property acquired or improved under the applicable Project or Program.
     
     
9. That this Assurance obligates the Recipient for the period during which Federal financial assistance is extended to the program, except where the Federal financial assistance is to provide, or is in the form of, personal property, or real property or interest therein or structures or improvements thereon, in which case the Assurance obligates the Recipient or any transferee for the longer of the following periods:
   
   
   • The period during which the property is used for a purpose for which the Federal financial assistance is extended, or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits; or
   • The period during which the Recipient retains ownership or possession of the property.
     
     
10. The Recipient shall provide for such methods of administration for the program as are found by the Secretary of Transportation or the official to whom he/she delegates specific authority to give reasonable guarantee that it, other recipients, sub-recipients, sub- grantees, contractors, subcontractors, transferees, successors in interest, and other participants of Federal financial assistance under such program will comply with all requirements imposed or pursuant to the Acts, the Regulations, and this Assurance; and
    
    
11.  The Recipient agrees that the United States has a right to seek judicial enforcement with regard to any matter arising under the Acts, the Regulations, and this Assurance.
    

APPENDIX B

CLAUSES FOR DEEDS TRANSFERING UNITED STATES PROPERTY

The following clauses shall be included in deeds effecting or recording the transfer of real property, structures or improvements thereon, or granting interest therein from the United States pursuant to the provisions of Assurance 4:

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Department of Transportation, as authorized by law, and upon the condition that the (Name of Recipient) will accept title to the lands and maintain the project constructed thereon, in accordance with (Name of Appropriate Legislative Authority), the Regulations for the Administration of Federal Highway Programs and the policies and procedures prescribed by the Federal Highway Administration of the Department of Transportation and, also in accordance with and in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation pertaining to and effectuating the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (78 Stat. 252; 42 U.S.C. § 2000d to 2000d-4), does hereby remise, release, quitclaim and convey unto the (Name of Recipient) all the right, title and interest of the Department of Transportation in and to said lands described in Exhibit “A” attached hereto and made a part hereof.

 

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD said lands and interests therein unto (Name of Recipient) and its successors forever, subject, however, to the covenants, conditions, restrictions and reservations herein contained as follows, which will remain in effect for the period during which the real property or structures are used for a purpose for which Federal financial assistance is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits and shall be binding on the (Name of Recipient), its successors and assigns.

 

The (Name of Recipient), in consideration of the conveyance of said lands and interests in lands, does hereby covenant and agree as a covenant running with the land for itself, its successors and assigns, that (1) no person shall on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination with regard to any facility located wholly or in part on, over or under such lands hereby conveyed [,] [and]* (2) that the (Name of Recipient) shall use the lands and interests in lands and interests in lands so conveyed, in compliance with all requirements imposed by or pursuant to Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Department of Transportation, Subtitle A, Office of the Secretary, Part 21, Nondiscrimination in Federally-assisted programs of the Department of Transportation - Effectuation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and as said Regulations may be amended, and (3) that in the event of breach of any of the above- mentioned nondiscrimination conditions, the Department shall have a right to re-enter said lands and facilities on said land, and that above described land and facilities shall thereon revert to and vest in and become the absolute property of the Department of Transportation and its assigns as such interest existed prior to this instruction.*

 

*Reverter clause and related language to be used only when it is determined that such a clause is necessary in order to effectuate the purpose of Title VI and related Nondiscrimination laws.

 APPENDIX C

CLAUSES FOR TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRED OR IMPROVED UNDER THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY PROGRAMS

 

The following clauses shall be included in deeds, licenses, leases, permits, or similar instruments entered into by the (Name of Recipient) pursuant to the provisions of Assurance 8(a):

 

1. The (grantee, lessee, permitee, etc. as appropriate) for himself/herself, his/her heirs, personal representatives, successors in interest, and assigns, as a part of the consideration hereof, does hereby covenant and agree [in the case of deeds and leases add “as a covenant running with the land”] that:
   
   
   • In the event facilities are constructed, maintained, or otherwise operated on the property described in this (deed, license, lease, permit, etc.) for a purpose for which a Department of Transportation program or activity is extended or for another purpose involving the provision of similar services or benefits, the (grantee, licensee, lessee, permitee, etc.) shall maintain and operate such facilities and services in compliance with all requirements imposed by the Acts and Regulations (as may be amended) set forth in the Title VI/Nondiscrimination Assurance agreement
     
     
   • No person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in the use of said facilities.
     
     
2. With respect to licenses, leases, permits, etc., in the event of breach of any of the above Nondiscrimination covenants, (Name of Recipient) shall have the right to terminate the lease, license, permit, etc. and to re-enter and repossess said lands and facilities thereon, and hold the same as if the lease, license, permit, etc. had never been made or issued.
   
   
3. With respect to a deed, in the event of breach of any of the above nondiscrimination covenants, the (Name of Recipient) shall have the right to re-enter the lands and facilities thereon, and the above described lands and facilities shall thereupon revert to and vest in and become the absolute property of the (Name of Recipient) and its assigns.

APPENDIX D

CLAUSES FOR CONSTRUCTION/USE/ACCESS TO REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRED UNDER THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY PROGRAM

 

 

The following clauses shall be included in deeds, licenses, permits, or similar instruments entered into by (Name of Recipient) pursuant to the provisions of Assurance 8(b):

 

1. The (grantee, licensee, permitee, etc., as appropriate) for himself/herself, his/her heirs, personal representatives, successors in interest, and assigns, as a part of the consideration hereof, does hereby covenant and agree (in the case of deeds and leases add “as a covenant running with the land”) that (1) no person on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in the use of said facilities, (2) that in the construction of any improvements on, over or under such land and the furnishing of services thereon, no person on the ground of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, (3) that the (grantee, licensee, lessee, permitee, etc.) shall use the premises in compliance with all other requirements imposed by or pursuant to the Acts and Regulations, as amended, set forth in the Title VI/Nondiscrimination Assurance agreement.
   
   
2. With respect to licenses, leases, permits, etc., in the event of breach of any of the above Nondiscrimination covenants, (Name of Recipient) shall have the right to terminate the (license, permit, etc., as appropriate) and to re-enter and repossess said land and the facilities thereon, and hold the same as if said (license, permit, etc., as appropriate) had never been made or issued.*
   
   
3. With respect to deeds, in the event of breach of any of the above nondiscrimination covenants, (Name of Recipient) shall have the right to re-enter said land and facilities thereon, and the above described lands and facilities shall thereupon revert to and vest in and become the absolute property of (Name of Recipient) and its assigns.*

 

*Reverter clause and related language to be used only when it is determined that such a clause is necessary to effectuate the purpose of Title VI and related Nondiscrimination laws.

Title VI Activities

No changes.

 

The Planning Process and Its Responsiveness to Title VI Requirements

No changes.

 

Activities Undertaken to Identify the Needs of Low-Income and Minority Populations

No major changes. The Transportation Equity Survey continues to be posted on the MPO website. Additional comments have been received since the last comment summary. The MPO has expanded the list of organizations to be contacted in its outreach program. In order to identify additional organizations to include in its outreach and consultations, the MPO is surveying local officials in municipalities with transportation analysis zones that meet the MPO criteria for environmental justice areas.

 

Section 3: Public Involvement [FTA C 4702.1A IV.7.a and FTA C 4702.1A IV.9]

No changes.

 

Section 4: Contracting Opportunities

None. The MPO has no fiduciary authority.

 

Section 5: Community Impact Assessment [23 USC 109(h); FTA C 4702.1A IV.7.a; FHWA 23 CFR 200.9(b)(4)]

Overview

No changes.

 

MPO Policy and Plans

No changes.

 

The Transportation Planning Process

No changes.

Demographic Profile of Environmental Justice Areas [FTA C 4702.1A VII.1.a]

The MPO has produced new demographic profiles of the region using 2010 Census data and 2006–10 American Community Survey data. They will be forwarded when finalized.

Identification of Needs of Low-Income and Minority Populations [FTA C 4702.1A VII.1.b]

No changes.

 

How Community Values, Environmental Justice, and Discrimination Considerations Are Addressed

No changes.

 

Section 6: Service Equity

Long-Range Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program: Assessment of Projects for Impacts on Environmental Justice Populations

No changes.

 

Coordination with Citizens and Community-Based Entities in Defining Environmental Justice Communities for the Purpose of Assessing Transportation Impacts

No changes in general. The MPO has made plans for conducting outreach activities in 2013.

Studies Sensitive to Title VI, Environmental Justice, and/or ADA Adherence

The following describes the MPO’s recently completed projects, current work, and upcoming initiatives in the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2013 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) that provide data collection and analysis supportive of MPO coordination of environmental justice (EJ) issues or help in addressing the transportation needs of minority, LEP, and low-income residents.

Transportation Equity/Environmental Justice Support

The primary purpose of this ongoing project is to integrate EJ issues and concerns into MPO planning and programming activities and support development of the Long-Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), UPWP, TIP, Congestion Management Process (CMP), air quality conformity determinations, and project-specific work products. Another purpose is to foster awareness of the MPO in EJ populations and to facilitate their participation in MPO planning and programming. This has been done through continued outreach to minority, LEP, and low-income populations.

Analysis of JARC and New Freedom Projects

Many MPO-recommended proposals for the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA’s) Job Access and Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom grant programs were funded during the last four years. These proposals include: conducting studies on how to facilitate coordination of existing transportation resources, identifying resource gaps and developing strategies for closing them, enhancing consumers’ abilities to access and use transportation options, and planning for and operating paratransit.

The MPO conducted analysis to help determine which of these projects were effective and will use this information to recommend future projects, to encourage the use of best practices, and to update the Coordinated Public-Transit Human Services Transportation Plan. A draft memo documenting the analysis has been produced. A copy of the memo will be forwarded to MassDOT when it is finalized.

MBTA Neighborhood Maps

Using the latest mapping software and data, CTPS is in the process of creating a neighborhood map showing streets, street names, building footprints, points of interest, and MBTA bus routes for each MBTA station. Each map has a “You Are Here” designation at the station location, as well as a quarter-mile-radius ring depicting the distance of a 5-to-10-minute walk from the station.

MetroWest RTA Transit Planning Assistance

When the MWRTA was established, the MPO conducted a study that explored potential markets and provided service planning assistance. As the MWRTA enters its fifth year of service, it could benefit from an evaluation of route efficiencies and demands. In federal fiscal year 2013, the MPO will evaluate existing transit service, identify potential improvements to present routes and schedules, and propose new services to meet untapped demand and relieve traffic congestion.

Disability Access Support

The MPO supports the MBTA in meeting ADA requirements by providing ongoing support to the Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA (AACT), a user group representing people with disabilities. AACT advises the MBTA on all accessibility matters relating to the use of the MBTA’s systemwide fixed-route services and THE RIDE paratransit service by people with disabilities and ensures that users’ ideas and concerns about accessible transportation in the region are heard.

One requirement of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is that government agency material that is distributed to the public be made available in accessible formats, in a timely manner, upon request. The MPO fulfills this requirement. Beginning in 2012, the MPO has adopted a practice of providing materials prepared for the MPO that are posted on the MPO website in PDF and HTML formats so that they can be read by contemporary screen reader technology. In addition to providing materials in accessible formats, the MPO has developed accessibility standards and guidelines for the conduct of MPO- sponsored meetings.

Priority Corridors for LRTP Needs Assessment

Corridor analysis is a logical way to approach transportation studies in the region. Possible corridors of critical and strategic concern might best be viewed in a programmatic way. An arterial management/roadway improvement effort will recommend conceptual improvements for corridors that the CMP and the LRTP identified as part of the needs assessment process. A particular corridor or several sections of multiple corridors could be selected. Fifteen candidate locations are included in the FFY 2013 UPWP. Seven of the 15 corridors are either entirely or partially in communities with MPO-defined environmental justice areas. The Route 203 corridor in Boston was studied in FFY 2012. This corridor runs through an MPO EJ area.

Update the Elderly Transportation Services Database

In 2010, the MPO completed a database of transportation services available to elderly residents in each community in the region. The database, available to the public on the MPO website, is currently being updated.

Warren Street Transportation Study

In 2012, MAPC worked with the Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation in Roxbury to identify potential improvements to the Warren Street corridor, based on numerous previous transportation studies of the area. The work focused on how transportation improvements could support redevelopment of underutilized parcels along the corridor.

MAPC presented at and helped facilitate a workshop in the Dudley Square neighborhood of Roxbury on July 14, 2012, for identifying improvements that could help create complete streets and safer intersection crossings in the area. MAPC worked with Renaissance Consulting Group to present information on the neighborhood and plans that have been completed for the area over the last 10 years. Attendees conducted a field walk and worked together to identify ways to improve transit, walking, and biking in the area.

Mystic River Corridor Walking Routes

MAPC has been working with the communities of Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, and Somerville to create a network of safe and well-signed walking routes to the lower Mystic River and its tributaries (Chelsea Creek, Mill Creek, and the Malden River). The work program identified key implementation links and assisted the communities in finalizing the network vision. http://www.mapc.org/smart-growth/environment/mystic-river

Technical Assistance to Local Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Initiatives

MAPC is working in Malden, Everett, Chelsea, Revere, Lynn, and Saugus to identify easily implementable bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements. As part of the planning effort, existing conditions and potential opportunities will be identified for each area. The planning effort will identify priority connections and routes for each of the communities, including proposed bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, produce cross-sections of the major collector roads in the communities, and identify opportunities to help fund implementation. The proposed accommodations could include exclusive bicycle lanes, sharrows, cycle tracks, new sidewalks, and improved surface conditions. At the conclusion of the planning effort, it will be the responsibility of the individual municipalities to implement the recommendations.

Opportunities for and Impediments to Creating Transit-Oriented Development

In Quincy, MAPC is working to identify the potential for transit-oriented development (TOD) around the Wollaston MBTA station on the Red Line. It is analyzing the area to identify potential impediments to development, such as existing zoning, inadequate pedestrian connections, parking challenges, and other infrastructure elements, and will offer recommendations on how to improve the site’s potential for TOD. MAPC is working closely with the MBTA, property owners, and the City of Quincy.

Staff kicked off the station area TOD planning effort in the Wollaston neighborhood on November 29, 2012, with a public meeting where they

presented the project, provided background information on the area, and asked meeting participants to talk about how and where new development could be accommodated in the neighborhood. The meeting engaged about 80 participants in facilitated small-group dialogue. MAPC staff will be using this input to create a scenario for future investment in the area as well as recommendations for changes to land use, zoning, transportation access and safety; they will conduct market analyses to support their recommendations. Outreach focused on engaging the Asian community in the neighborhood through the Asian Community Development Corporation.

 

Bike Share Program Implementation

MAPC has been working with the cities of Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville and the Town of Brookline on implementation of the regional Hubway bike share system. In the summer of 2011, Boston launched a 600-bicycle, 60-station system, which expanded into neighboring municipalities in 2012. Funding for the program comes from the Boston Region MPO’s Clean Air and Mobility Program, a separate FTA Bus Livability award, and from the municipalities.

Through funding from the Barr Foundation, MAPC is working with the municipalities to create a $5 annual Hubway membership for low-income participants. MAPC is also researching strategies to increase Hubway ridership in low-income and low-education-level communities and developing partnerships with community-based agencies to host focus groups and distribute information about Hubway. The Barr Foundation is also funding several Hubway stations that will continue to grow the program further into environmental justice communities in Boston.

MetroFuture Outreach and Engagement: Increasing the Equity Focus in Regional Planning

In 2011, MAPC finalized its State of Equity report, which is the first report in its Regional Indicators program. This document establishes a baseline for MAPC’s equity-related indicators; the program will track the region’s progress toward the MetroFuture goals. http://regionalindicators.org/

In 2012, MAPC used this information to support community outreach efforts to engage more groups that are traditionally not involved in the regional planning process. Metropolitan planning funds were used to support outreach efforts for the Fairmount/Indigo Corridor Planning Initiative and the Fairmount Greenway Initiative, twin transit-oriented development projects that focus on historically EJ communities in Boston. MAPC is working with the Boston Redevelopment Authority, Community Development Corporations, and community-based coalitions, playing a critical role in the outreach to and engagement of residents.