Transit Oriented Communities

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. Hennepin County’s Transit Oriented Communities (TOC) program invests in creating these vibrant places.

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

2025 TOC application

The 2025 TOC Request for Applications (RFA) has closed for the year. 

Important dates

• TOC RFA opened: January 30, 2025
• Applications were due: 3 p.m. CST February 27, 2025
• Awards: Anticipated in June 2025

Who can apply 

Real estate developers, nonprofits engaged in development/redevelopment, government agencies and related development authorities.

Funding available

Approximately $2.2 million is available for TOC and TOC Predevelopment Assistance in 2025.

Related links and materials

• 2025 TOC guidelines (PDF)
• 2025 TOC FAQ
• TOC Program handout 
• 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 by local government agencies that are independent of individual development projects and improve walkability and transit-oriented development potential
• 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 approximately $44.5 million to over 160 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.

2025 impacts

In the 2025 funding round, $2 million was awarded to six projects. Funding for the six projects will support 110 new or retained jobs and create a combined 149 housing units and 48,800 square feet of commercial space, including five affordable commercial spaces. TOC funding will leverage approximately $80 million in total investment value and improve connections to rail transit, bus rapid transit, and within the high-frequency bus network.

2025 TOC program awardees 

Highlighted TOC funded projects include: 

• The Coliseum, Minneapolis: The redevelopment of the historic Coliseum Building on East Lake Street 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. Completed in 2024.
• 325 Blake Road, Hopkins: A two-phased mixed-use development that in total will provide 800 housing units, including 200 affordable units, 18,000 square feet of commercial space, and expand the Minnehaha Creek Greenway. Currently underway.
• Minneapolis American Indian Center, Minneapolis: The redevelopment of the half-century-old cultural center and community anchor on Franklin Avenue that included the substantial renovation of 43,500 square feet and new construction of 21,500 square feet and will provide educational and social services to more than 10,000 members of the Minneapolis American Indian community annually. Completed in 2024.