Recent news and notes on transit-oriented development trends here in New Jersey, in the nation, and beyond.
NEW JERSEY TOD NEWS
New vision for Camden’s hectic transit hub
By Phaedra Trethan, Courier Post, January 3, 2018
Public input and presentations informed a proposed concept design for the modernization as well as commercial and residential development of Camden’s Walter Rand Transportation Center.
Brand new apartments now leasing along NJ Transit line in Aberdeen
By Daniel Burns, MyCentralJersey.com, January 6, 2018
The Link at Aberdeen Station has recently announced the grand opening of its luxury apartments, now available for immediate move-in. The community also will include street-front retail for residents and daily commuters.
Downtown New Jersey Urges New Governor to Revive Municipal Incentives
By Steve Lubetkin, GlobeSt.com, February 12, 2018
Downtown New Jersey, which represents individuals, businesses, developers, government agencies, and local entities that are passionate about downtowns, urges NJ Governor Phil Murphy’s administration to revive and re-energize several state incentive programs encouraging municipal development.
Somerville: Cobalt Apartments to Receive Land Development and Planning Award
By TAPinto Somerville Staff, TAPinto.net, February 13, 2018
The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the county Planning Board honored six local projects, including the Cobalt Apartments on Veterans Memorial Drive, at the 35th annual Land Development and Planning Awards.
Downtown shopping spaces can be places millennials crave
By Kevin Riordan, The Inquirer, March 12, 2018
Speakers at the recent NJ Future Redevelopment Forum offered insights on how small, walkable downtowns with good transit connections may be the future, with experiential retail that is attractive to young consumers.
REGIONAL, NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL TOD NEWS
Amtrak Picks Group of Developers for Baltimore Penn Station Redevelopment Plan
By Matthew Rothstein, Bisnow Philadelphia, December 17, 2017
With a new partnership of developers, Amtrak will be renovating Baltimore Penn Station and redeveloping surrounding properties.
Building Better Communities with Transit
[podcast]
By TODresources.org, FTA & Smart Growth America, January 5, 2018
In the premiere episode, Jeff Wood speaks with Breen Masciotra, TOD manager for the Port Authority of Allegheny County, and Karina Ricks, director of the Department of Mobility and Infrastructure for the city of Pittsburgh about the city’s challenges (topography, new technologies, and hostile streets) and efforts to make the city more walkable and multi-modal (new bus rapid transit projects, transit-oriented development initiatives, and “eco innovation districts”).
The Met Council wants more affordable housing (and they’ll help foot the bill) [Minneapolis-St. Paul]
By Adrian Daniel Schramm, Twin Cities Agenda, February 8, 2018
The Metropolitan Council, which is the Twin Cities-area regional governmental agency and MPO, recently approved funding to advance Livable Communities grants, which support affordable housing development in transit-friendly locations.
Here’s a 4-Step Community Engagement Plan for Addressing TOD Side Effects
By Andrea Fox, EfficientGov, February 14, 2018
When TOD + economic development resulted in Culver City, California, neighborhoods experiencing soaring traffic, the city didn’t just create a repair plan and hold a town meeting to discuss it.
Two barriers that keep pop culture from embracing public transportation
By Jenna Fortunati, Mobility Lab, February 14, 2018
An interesting look at how transit gets incorporated into popular media.
Can Suburban Office Parks Be the Next Mixed-Use Destination?
By Matthew Rothstein, Bisnow Philadelphia, February 19, 2018
Many older corporate campuses occupy well-positioned land, and developers and municipalities alike are looking for ways to leverage them.
Atlanta nonprofit signs ground lease for new facility at Edgewood/Candler Park TOD
By Eric Mandel, Atlanta Business Chronicle, March 2, 2018
Atlanta nonprofit Moving in the Spirit recently signed a 99-year ground lease with MARTA and developer Columbia Ventures to build its new facility at the Edgewood/Candler Park TOD.
California gears up for a battle over single-family zoning near transit
By Katy Murphy, East Bay Times, March 3, 2018
Senate Bill 827 has the potential to reshape California neighborhoods by overriding single-family zoning and superseding limits on new housing near public transportation. The measure would allow housing developments of four to eight stories within a half mile radius of every BART station, Caltrain stop or other rail hub, and a quarter mile from bus stops with frequent service.
Bellevue approves $1.8 million to affordable housing, shelter projects
By Raechel Dawson, Bellevue Reporter, March 7, 2018
Funds will support two new projects: Esterra Park with 50 income-restricted units in Redmond near the Overlake Transit Center and Trailhead Apartments with 155 income-restricted units in central Issaquah, near the Issaquah Transit Center. King County Housing Authority and Spectrum Development Solutions also have plans for 200 market rate units, a new childcare center, an adult family home, a community space and commercial space to accompany the Trailhead Apartment project.