VISION 2050 calls for the creation of central places with a mix of uses and activities connected by efficient transportation.
Centers are the hallmark of VISION 2050 and the Regional Growth Strategy. They guide regional growth allocations, advance local planning, inform transit service planning, and represent priority areas for PSRC's federal transportation funding.
The region has designated 29 regional growth centers. These are locations of the region’s most significant business, governmental, and cultural facilities and are planning for growth.
Ten regional manufacturing/industrial centers are also designated, which are locations for more intensive industrial activity. Both regional growth centers and regional manufacturing/industrial centers are focal points for planned growth, economic development and transportation infrastructure investments.
Regional Centers Framework Update
In March 2018, after extensive work with members, partners, and the public, the Executive Board adopted a revised framework. The revisions focused on how to support and recognize the region's diverse centers and result in more consistent criteria throughout the region. This ensures that centers are developing as thriving, equitable, and connected communities.
The Framework contains a work plan which PSRC is currently working with members, partners, and stakeholders to implement.
Regional Centers Framework, Adopted March 2018
Project Background
Designated Regional Centers
As part of the 2013 Centers Monitoring Report, center profiles were prepared and provide a snapshot of the full set of conditions and plans for each individual center at that time.
Regional Growth Centers
Manufacturing/Industrial Centers
PSRC Procedures and Monitoring Report
New Centers Designation Procedures
PSRC is not currently accepting applications for new centers. The next applicaton window will occur in 2024. For more information, contact Liz Underwood-Bultmann
at lunderwood-bultmann@psrc.org.
Centers Monitoring Report
PSRC has monitored the regional centers periodically over time, with a monitoring report released in 1997 and 2002. The most recent report was published in 2013.
The next monitoring period will occur in 2025.
Administrative Procedures for Regional Centers
These procedures address processes, maintenance, and periodic monitoring of regional centers.
Centers Planning
VISION 2050 and the Regional Centers Framework calls for jurisdictions to adopt subarea plans for regional centers. PSRC reviews and certifies these plans in accordance with the Plan Review Manual. Several resources exist to support counties and cities as they undertake centers planning.
Regional Growth Centers
- VISION 2050 Consistency Tool for Regional Growth Center Plans: provides key expectations for regional center plans
- Growth Targets and Mode Split Goals for Regional Centers: guidance for allocating growth and achieving more sustainable transportation mode shares
- Growing Transit Communities: strategies and resources for promoting equitable transit-oriented development
- Opportunity Mapping: interactive map that assesses amount of opportunity that exists in neighborhoods today
- Displacement Risk Mapping: identifies areas at greater risk of displacement where anti-displacement strategies are most needed
- Planning for Equity: collection of PSRC resources that support more equitable planning across the region
- Planning for Whole Communities Toolkit: best practices for promoting health, equity, and sustainability in plans
- Housing Innovations Program (HIP): collection of planning resources for local governments to use in promoting housing affordability and smart growth
- Transit-Supportive Densities and Land Uses: guidance for adopting land uses and densities that best support transit investments
- Transit Access: tools to evaluate and improve access to transit
Manufacturing/Industrial Centers
- VISION 2050 Consistency Tool for Regional Manufacturing/Industrial Center Plans: provides key expectations for regional center plans
- Growth Targets and Mode Split Goals for Regional Centers: guidance for allocating growth and achieving more sustainable transportation mode shares
- Industrial Lands Analysis Report: an assessment of economic activity on industrial lands with strategies for enhancing industrial land
- Planning for Equity: collection of PSRC resources that support more equitable planning across the region
- Regional TDM Action Plan: strategies for creating or expanding transportation demand management programs
- Regional Freight Strategy: analysis of the region’s freight network
- Transit Access: tools to evaluate and improve access to transit