At DART’s State of the Agency luncheon in September, I unveiled highlights from the latest economic impact study from the Economics Research Group (ERG) at the University of North Texas.
Transit-oriented developments (TOD) completed or under construction between 2019 and 2021 generated a $1.8 billion economic impact on the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region.
UNT researchers identified 31 new development projects that were completed (24) or under construction (7) within a quarter mile of DART rail stations and the Dallas Streetcar line during the study period. The total property value of these projects represents $980.1 million in direct spending, and that investment was multiplied by indirect and induced spending in the region.
These development projects also contributed $144.7 million in federal tax revenue and generated $49.6 million in sales taxes, property taxes, and other state and local tax revenue during the study period. In terms of employment, these projects created 10,747 jobs, including 6,264 direct construction roles.
But this report is only a snapshot of the numerous public and private properties that have been built deliberately near our DART Light Rail and TRE stations since those systems opened in 1996. DART has commissioned UNT’s ERG to conduct studies on our rail stations’ economic impact, particularly in transit-oriented development, since 1999.
The cumulative economic impact within the 700-mile DART Service Area has reached $17.1 billion, a significant boost to the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) economy. This newest study further confirms long-held beliefs among economists and real estate developers that DART is an asset to our region.
Strategic partnerships pave the way to more fantastic spaces
While we are pleased with the transit-oriented development that DART has attracted thus far, our strategic plan, Point B: A New Vision for Mobility in North Texas, outlines a more proactive approach to attracting development to our station areas.
Currently DART is working with our service-area cities on 11 development projects near our transit centers and stations in Dallas, Carrollton, Garland, Richardson, and Plano.
In the next few years, we plan to inventory all our property assets to identify opportunities for improvement, advancement, or development. Alongside underutilized parking lots and undeveloped parcels of land, DART may also have properties where facilities or functions could be relocated to create TOD potential, either alone or in combination with adjacent land.
Developing areas near DART stations and transit facilities is a critical step toward creating a transportation system where public transit is convenient and easily accessible. DART will work with cities to develop plans for our station areas that will be mutually beneficial, including making them attractive for investment by potential developers.
Click here to read the entire 2024 economic impact report and explore past studies at DART.org/EconomicDevelopment.