Portfolio Highlights

MZ Strategies, LLC provides consulting services to clients across a variety of industries and sectors. From strategic advising, to developing new policies and programs for public sector agencies, to authoring ground-breaking research our work has resulted in tangible policy changes, a suite of development projects that advance community equity and resiliency, and the strengthening of regional partnerships and cross-sector collaboratives that are driving positive change.

Housing and Development Strategies

- TCRP Research Synthesis 162, “Coordination of Public Transit Services and Investments with Affordable Housing Policies,” authored by MZ Strategies, LLC, this paper commissioned and published by the National Academy of Sciences provides a snapshot of past and present approaches to aligning transit and affordable housing. Through case studies of Atlanta, Boise, Chicago, Kansas City and the San Francisco Bay Area region, examines ways that transit agencies and affordable housing policy makers and service providers are innovating and partnering, but also the significant gaps, missed opportunities and needs that remain unmet. The report includes results from a national survey of 51 transit agencies conducted during spring of 2021 that asked respondents to report on ways their own agencies were approaching coordination, and their perceptions of how well other regional housing partners consider and prioritize transit access. (Published March 2022, National Academies Press)

- MZ Strategies works with numerous communities to advance equitable development strategies ranging from specific policy initiatives and funding programs, to strengthening multi-sector coalitions, and updating regulatory approaches. "Advancing Equitable Transit-Oriented Development through Community Partnerships and Public Sector Leadership" spotlights strategies being used in four regions to create more inclusive communities near transit, and discusses federal tools available to support development of transit real estate assets for affordable housing. (Published October 2016.)

- The Strong, Prosperous and Resilient Communities Challenge (SPARCC) was a multi-year, $90 million initiative to amplify locally driven efforts to ensure that major new infrastructure investments lead to equitable, healthy opportunities for everyone. MZ Strategies was part of the cross-disciplinary team working with local partners in Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Memphis and the San Francisco Bay Area to advance cutting edge policies and TOD projects that support social, climate, health and economic benefits for local residents and communities. MZ Strategies authored three SPARCC publications: “Lighting a SPARCC Under Equitable Transit-Oriented Development;” “Implementing Equitable Transit-Oriented Development” and “Inclusive Investment Starts with Equitable Community Engagement.” Mariia Zimmerman also provided strategic advisory services to each of the six regions on federal issues to help finance transit-oriented development projects and reduce regulatory barriers, including to update local zoning.

- The Elephant in the Region: Charting a Path for Bay Area Metro to Lead a Bold Regional Housing Agenda -- co-authored by Heather Hood and Geeta Rao with MZ Strategies, LLC, examines best practices from other regions coordinate and fund affordable housing. This Enterprise Community Partners report concludes with a series of recommendations for creating a new regional housing entity in the San Francisco Bay Area to address a housing affordability crisis that feels insurmountable to many. (Published December 2017)

- Financing Mixed-Income Housing: A White Paper supported by the McKnight Foundation to look at funding challenges and opportunities in the Twin Cities to finance mixed-income housing. This project looks at experiences in strong and weaker market sub-regions and will result in case studies of real-world mixed-income projects to help inform emerging policies and practices of public agencies, developers, lenders, equity investors and low-income housing tax credit syndicators. (Published November 2015.)

Regional Economic Development and Metropolitan Planning

- MZ Strategies was a member of the consulting team that supported Ramsey County in developing its “Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion Plan.” The plan, the first of its kind, includes a housing analysis and economic development assessment and provides a set of comprehensive actions for the County and its partners to undertake and address economic disparities, growing housing affordability challenges, and diversify its economy. The plan was developed through extensive community engagement. (Published and adopted March 2021).

-- "Regional Economic Framework " MZ Strategies supported the Met Council, Greater MSP and the Center for Economic Inclusion in drafted the first regional economic strategy for the greater Minneapolis - Saint Paul region. The Framework includes 9 strategic priority areas for economic resiliency and competitiveness. (Published and Adopted August 2020.)

-- "2016 State of the Region: Economic Competitiveness Report" Leaders at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments made economic competitiveness their focus in 2015. The 2016 State of the Region: Economic Competitiveness Report, authored by MZ Strategies, looks at a wide range of indicators measuring the region’s economic climate as well as its built and human infrastructure and quality of life. (Published January 2016.)

-- "The Innovative MPO Guidebook:" A comprehensive overview of metropolitan transportation planning with nearly 100 real-world examples from 50 different metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) illustrating 30 different innovative tools. The Guidebook was prepared for Transportation for America and includes 20 detailed case studies of large, small and medium-sized MPOs involved in innovative planning, community engagement, modeling and performance measurement, funding and programming, and consideration of freight, land use, economic development, and housing within long-range transportation plans. (Published December 2014.)

-- Regional Resilience Primer: MZ Strategies is a contributing author to this resource developed by the Institute for Sustainable Communities detailing the many ways that regional collaboratives around the USA are taking on climate planning, adaptation and mitigation. (Published July 2015.)

--  "Regional Allocation of Federal Transportation Funding:" A summary prepared for the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council's Transportation Advisory Board of how MPOs allocate their federal transportation formula funds, with analysis of Atlanta, Denver, Kansas City, Phoenix, Portland and Seattle. (Published September 2013)

-- "Planning for Regional Competitiveness" A report prepared with the National Association of Regional Councils that examines strategies for integrating economic competitiveness and economic performan with regional planning. The report was prepared for the McKnight Foundation and includes case studies of Denver, Kansas City and Seattle. (Published May 2013).

Transportation Planning and Transit-Oriented Development

- MZ Strategies has provided consulting support to numerous transit corridor planning initiatives across the country, including such projects as the City of Portland’s Powell-Division Transit and Development Project; the St Louis Bi-State Development Northside-Southside corridor; Portland METRO’s Southwest Corridor Equitable Development Strategy; and Hennepin County’s Southwest LRT Community Works

- Mariia Zimmerman has served as a strategic advisor to create and improve TOD programs and policies at public agencies such as the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council and Metro Transit, VIA Transit and the City of San Antonio, the Bay Area’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission; and the City of Richmond and GRTC

- MZ Strategies facilitated planning workshops and helped to draft the City of Chicago’s first Equitable Transit Oriented (ETOD) Policy Plan in partnership with the City of Chicago and Elevated Chicago, a collaborative focused on racial equity, arts and culture, climate change resiliency, and public health in Chicago’s neighborhoods. (Draft plan published September 2020; Final plan adopted June 2021 and used to inform comprehensive planning update, City zoning changes that were adopted and new grant funding to catalyze TOD projects)

- Cities, regional planning agencies and states are stepping up to support development near transit. MZ Strategies, LLC conducted research for the AARP report, "Communities Are Embracing Development Near Transit: A Snapshot of Transit-Oriented Development Support across the United States," which details the ways state, regional, and local actors proactively foster TOD. (Published September 2017.)

- Advancing TOD through Transit Corridor Planning - a compendium of best practices in corridor planning from the Twin Cities region looking back over the past 10 years from the Hiawatha Light Rail to Northstar Commuter Rail, Central Corridor LRT and future light rail and bus rapid transit corridors throughout the region. (prepared for the Metro Transit TOD Office, Published May 2014)

- "Unlocking MAP-21's Potential to Fund Equitable TOD": A white paper developed for Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. (Enterprise) and its regional and national stakeholders working to advance equitable transit-oriented development (TOD). It focuses on the potential role of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in supporting equitable TOD through the use of federal transportation funds and other resources. A set of policy recommendations and actions are offered to facilitate greater MPO involvement. (Published October 2013.)

Organizational Strategic Planning

- MZ Strategies, LLC provides strategic planning and advisory services support to a number of non-profit organizations, regional coalitions, foundations and public agencies. More information on clients and projects is available upon request.