First, a Priority Development Area or “PDA” is a place that has convenient public transit service that is prioritized by local governments (cities/counties) for housing, jobs and services. PDAs range from Downtowns to Main Streets to aging shopping malls.
Second, a PDA is a funding and planning tool. If a local jurisdiction voluntarily nominates an area for PDA designation, the designation provides the local jurisdiction with access to funds and grants to: a) develop and adopt area Plans to plan for, design and regulate future growth of the area; and b) constructed needed and/or planned infrastructure improvements.
PDAs are voluntarily nominated by the local jurisdiction. Further, the local jurisdiction has the full discretion to set the boundaries of the PDA within the eligible PDA areas that have been identified by Plan Bay Area.