Welcome to “What We Are Reading.” Here, we present some recent news and notes on transit-oriented development trends happening here in New Jersey and in the nation.
NEW JERSEY TOD NEWS
How Panasonic Turned Car Commuters Into Transit Riders
Eric Jaffe, The Atlantic CityLab, October 27, 2015
Since moving to downtown Newark, Panasonic North America has seen solo commute share drop from 88 to 36 percent while transit rose from 4 to 57 percent. The new location contributed to the change as did three other factors–commuter benefits, market-rate parking, and employee outreach.
Bayonne apartment complex sold for $147.5M
By Eric Strauss, NJBIZ, October 27, 2015
The first project completed on the former Marine Ocean Terminal at Bayonne (MOTBY) was recently sold. Castle Lanterra Properties purchased the 544-unit Alexan CityView, now renamed Harbor Pointe. Built in 2009, this project is less than a quarter mile from 34th Street Station on the Hudson Bergen Light Rail.
Hackensack Council approves redevelopment plan for former site of Record
By Todd South, The Record, October 20, 2015
The City Council unanimously approved the redevelopment plan for the former home of The Record, a 19.7-acre site situated on the Hackensack River. Plans permit up to 700 housing units, as well as commercial space and a hotel. The Hackensack Bus Terminal lies to the west of site.
Somerville picks developer for Baker & Taylor property
Mike Deak, myCentralJersey.com, October 20, 2015
The Borough Council designated Crusader Services Corp. of Pennsylvania to develop an 11-acre property that borders NJ Transit’s Raritan Valley Line. Preliminary plans call for 200 housing units–30 townhouses and the remainder rental apartments. This is one of several projects moving forward in the Transit Village-designated community.
The wait is over: Groundbreaking takes place for major Metuchen project
By Joshua Burd, NJBIZ, October 5, 2015
Construction has begun on a mixed-use project on a large surface parking lot one block from Metuchen Station. Work will result in new housing, retail, a parking deck, and a public piazza. Also see: Pearl St. project makes progress in Metuchen
‘Iconic’ $700M project coming to Camden waterfront
By Andrew George, NJBIZ, September 24, 2015
The Camden waterfront is slated for a new 16-acre mixed-used development. Liberty Property Trust, a major development firm headquartered outside of Philadelphia, has plans for several new buildings, including two towers resulting in 300+ housing units, 1.7 million square feet in office space, a 120-room hotel, and retail space.
Jersey City Updates Tax Abatement Policy and Procedures
By Kara A. Kaczynski, Government & Law Blog / Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC., September 22, 2015
Several key changes to Jersey City’s tax abatement policy were recently announced and reflect changes in the municipality’s new comprehensive housing policy. The changes are intended to ensure that all areas of the city benefit from its growth and include a new tiered system of PILOTs designed to spur development in less-coveted areas of Jersey City.
Somerville seeks landfill cleanup bids
By Mike Deak, myCentralJersey.com, September 11, 2015
Somerville now has the go-ahead from NJ DEP and has received state grants for $12M of the estimated $16M needed to complete remediation of its former landfill. Cleanup could start by the end of the year and be completed in 2016. The former landfill abuts a 35-acre project adjacent to the Somerville station, which may result in 675 new residences.
Mack-Cali Will Refocus on Urban Waterfront, Multifamily
By Steve Lubetkin, GlobeSt.com, September 11, 2015
Major NJ real estate development firm announces its intent to focus on “transit-oriented markets” as “people today want to live, work, and play in the same area.”
Bayonne says Barnabas’ emergency center will ‘mark major redevelopment’ on Broadway
By Joshua Burd, NJBIZ, September 2, 2015
The Barnabas redevelopment in Bayonne is one of three Bayonne projects discussed–all within a short distance of a Hudson Bergen Light Rail Line station. The Barnabas is 2 blocks from the 22nd Street Station. A planned 22-story residential building will be adjacent to the 8th Street Station. And a 10-story structure is planned 1 block from the 45th Street Station.
REGIONAL & NATIONAL TOD NEWS
Officials Celebrate East Liberty’s Transformation From Auto Oasis To Multi-Modal Transit Hub
By Liz Reid, WESA, October 15, 2015
Pittsburgh revitalization took a step forward with the opening of the East Liberty Transit Center on the city’s MLK Busway.
Pittsburgh’s bus TOD efforts were showcased in our article, Pittsburgh: A City of Buses.
Why Developing Around Transit in Connecticut Is So Challenging
By Susan Campbell, WNPR, Oct 7, 2015
Looking at the efforts to support new transit and development near transit. Hartford and New Haven are highlighted.
First New Subway Stop in a Quarter-Century
By Emma Cott and Colin Archdeacon, NY Times, September 14, 2015
This video essay highlights the newly extended No. 7 train line and the opening of the 34th Street-Hudson Yards subway station via a diagonal elevator on 11th Avenue. The No. 7 extension has spurred redevelopment of New York’s Far Westside.
U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $19.5 Million to Improve Transit Access in Selected Communities Around the Country
By Sarah Clements, FTA News Release, September 14, 2015
U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced awards for 21 planning projects in 15 states to improve land use near stops and stations. The funds are made available through FTA’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Pilot Program.
Businesses no longer want office parks, and that can mean more revenue for cities
By Eric Fidler, August 31, 2015, Greater Greater Washington
Suburban office parks continue to lose their appeal as businesses increasingly seek to locate in transit accessible places. Cities willing to embrace new business can benefit financially.