San Diego Association of Governments Sprinter Rail Corridor Value Capture Assessment
San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)
HR&A evaluated real estate value capture potential along San Diego County’s 15-station Sprinter rail corridor for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), as a subcontractor to Sperry Capital. Our comprehensive analysis produced a data-driven prioritization framework that identified optimal stations to help realize the region’s Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs) and Community Facility Districts (CFDs), providing SANDAG with actionable strategies to fund transit-oriented development and infrastructure improvements.
The Sprinter hybrid rail service, connecting Escondido and Oceanside across North San Diego County, exhibited potential for transit-oriented development and infrastructure investment,, but SANDAG needed help understanding how to maximize this potential. Working within a complex multi-jurisdictional environment, HR&A leveraged our proprietary value capture prioritization framework and custom financial model for SANDAG to assess each station area’s unique circumstances. Our approach combined detailed real estate market analysis, zoning evaluation, and policy assessment to create a comprehensive picture of development potential and value capture feasibility. This rigorous methodology allowed us to consider not only financial factors but also critical implementation variables including political dynamics, jurisdictional capacity, and market drivers that would ultimately determine each project’s success.
The resulting station-by-station assessment delivered clear, actionable intelligence about where and how to deploy value capture tools most effectively. By identifying the stations with the highest potential for EIFDs, CFDs, and other financing mechanisms, our work enabled SANDAG to strategically focus resources on the most promising opportunities along the corridor. This targeted approach helps maximize return on public investment while creating a roadmap for transit-supportive development that can enhance mobility options, increase housing supply, and stimulate economic development throughout North San Diego County. Our analysis provides SANDAG with both the technical foundation and strategic guidance needed to transform value capture concepts into implementable financing solutions that support regional transportation and development goals.
