Public works says CBTA local funds and CIP can be programmed to support housing‑adjacent infrastructure if planned early

Richmond public works and planning staff told the land use committee they can program portions of CBTA local funds and the city's capital improvement program (CIP) to support infrastructure tied to housing development, but only for work in the public right of way.

Public works staff said the regionally allocated CBTA local funds the city receives total about $18 million per year. Of that, staff said roughly $5 million is used each year for paving to help the city's annual paving program (about $20 million a year when combined with other sources). The remaining $13 million is split across sidewalks, traffic calming and other public‑right‑of‑way projects; staff said typically about $6–7 million of the balance can be used flexibly each year.

"As long as it's in the public right of way, that money is available," Public Works staff said, noting the funds cannot be used to pay for private property improvements. Staff said the city can program $2–3 million in CBTA local funds toward infrastructure associated with a development if staff and developers coordinate early and the need can be forecast two to three years before construction.

Why it matters: Committee members pushed to understand whether transportation and infrastructure money can be used to support affordable housing projects. Public works staff said early coordination and predictable scheduling are essential because many development timelines stretch multiple years and CIP dollars and CBTA funds must be matched to specific right‑of‑way work.

CIP, matching and private development Public works staff described the city's six‑year improvement plan, which includes roughly $700 million in projects — most of it from grants — and said those funds are largely restricted to public‑right‑of‑way work. Staff emphasized that when utility work or major private development requires right‑of‑way restoration, the city can combine DPU restoration funds and CBTA local funds to pay for paving, curbs and sidewalks.

Sidewalks, right‑of‑way acquisition and eminent domain Committee members raised examples where sidewalks cannot fit inside existing right of way and additional land acquisition may be needed. Public works staff said the city does acquire land for some projects, but acquisitions are time-consuming. Staff noted negotiations are generally preferred to eminent domain because eminent domain requires payment and often entails legal costs.

Transit access and LIHTC scoring Planning and housing staff noted that certain federal programs, including the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, award extra points for projects with access to frequent transit or dedicated bus lanes. Planning staff and LIHTC specialists suggested coordinating transit investments and housing proposals could improve developers' competitiveness for federal credits.

Ending Public works and planning staff told the committee they will work with housing and developers to program feasible right‑of‑way infrastructure needs into the CIP and CBTA schedules, provided the needs are identified early and fit the program restrictions.