Metropark Station TOD (left); Weehawken redevelopment project; Affordable housing in Anaheim; Housing permits fall; TOD for MRT Jakarta (right top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
WOODBRIDGE—Woodmont Breaks Ground, Eyes 2028 Delivery for 300-Unit Metropark Rental Project
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | August 12, 2025
Woodmont has broken ground on Woodmont Rail at Metropark, replacing an aging office building and parking lot with 300 new apartments. Located a half mile from Metropark Station—one of the state’s busiest transit hubs with express service to Newark and New York City—the project aims for a 2028 completion.
NJ TOD News
HOBOKEN—Plans Revealed for 117-Unit Development at Hoboken’s 1417 Adams Site
Chris Fry, Jersey Digs | August 14, 2025
Advance Realty plans to transform a long-vacant industrial site into a mixed-use community with 117 apartments and 8,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail. The project is within walking distance of bus and ferry services, shops, restaurants, and grocery stores. The City Council will vote on the project on August 20.
WEEHAWKEN—The Reserve at Estuary Completes Construction at 1525 Harbor Boulevard in Weehawken, New Jersey
Michael Young and Matt Pruznick, New York YIMBY | August 13, 2025
Hartz Mountain Industries has completed construction on The Reserve at Estuary, the last phase in a decades-long redevelopment of a 60-acre Hudson River site. The seven-story building features 218 homes and 40,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail close to bus, ferry, and light rail connections.
JERSEY CITY—While Still Pricey, Study Says Jersey City Rents Continue to Fall
Chris Fry, Jersey Digs | August 11, 2025
Jersey City’s rentals—still fourth highest in the nation—have fallen 17.8 percent over the past year, far outpacing the national decline of just 0.3 percent. Analysts link the drop to the city’s major expansion of housing supply, evident in the high-rise construction reshaping its skyline.
NEW BRUNSWICK—Tiling Project at Morris Cancer Center Is Latest Effort by Nonprofit
Staff, BINJE | August 11, 2025
The Jack and Sheryl Cancer Center has installed more than 4,600 handcrafted tiles created by MudGirls Studios, a nonprofit employing at-risk women in Atlantic City. Produced over a year, the project has turned utilitarian space into functional art while providing long-term supplemental income for many women.
Transit and Equity News
NEW YORK—Plan to Add 9,500 Homes to Midtown Manhattan Wins City Council Approval
Mihir Zaveri, The New York Times | August 14, 2025
The New York City Council has approved a plan to rezone 42 blocks in Midtown Manhattan to allow more than 9,500 new homes, including 2,800 affordable units. Supporters say the plan will help ease the housing shortage and revitalize an area affected by pandemic-era office vacancies, while some local businesses and residents fear it will diminish the Garment District’s character.
CALIFORNIA—IHO Begins Construction on Intergenerational Affordable Housing Community
Donna Kimura, Affordable Housing Finance | August 13, 2025
Innovative Housing Opportunities has begun construction on Lincoln Beach, a 47-unit affordable for seniors and young adults aging out of foster care. The project aims to encourage skill-sharing across generations and is part of a broader effort to redevelop 1.5-miles of Beach Boulevard into a walkable, mixed-use corridor.
CONNECTICUT—Major Berlin Housing Project Secures Key Financing
Michael Lemanski, Patch | August 12, 2025
The Connecticut Department of Housing has awarded $32 million in financing to nine developments that will create or preserve a total of 478 housing units, including 336 for low-income renters. The funded projects include the Steele Center, a 52-unit multifamily building next to Berlin Station, offering residents direct access to major employment centers.
NORTH CAROLINA—30-Story Project Gets Raleigh Board’s Support Over Neighborhood Objections
Anna Roman, The News & Observer | August 12, 2025
The Raleigh Planning Commission has recommended approval of a 30-story development with 900 units near downtown. Advocates cite the project’s potential to expand housing supply along a future bus rapid transit route, while critics warn of traffic impacts and changes to neighborhood character. The City Council will hold a public hearing before voting.
Regional and National TOD News
PENNSYLVANIA—SEPTA Moving Forward With First Round of Cuts as Deadline Passes Without a Deal
TaRhonda Thomas & Leland Pinder, 6ABC | August 15, 2025
With Pennsylvania lawmakers deadlocked on SEPTA funding, the agency faces a $213 million deficit for the coming fiscal year. Republicans blocked a Democrat-backed plan three times, and Democrats rejected a GOP proposal to divert funds from the agency’s capital budget. Without a deal by the August 14 deadline, service cuts of up to 45 percent will begin August 24.
Permits to Build U.S. Apartments Have Fallen 23 Percent Since the Pandemic Construction Boom
Lily Katz, Redfin News | August 14, 2025
Developers secured permits to build 12.8 multifamily units per 10,000 people over the past year, down 23 percent from the pandemic-era average of 16.7. While construction remains strong in cities like North Port, FL, and Austin, TX, many large metros in the West and Northeast have seen sharp declines.
WASHINGTON—Shoreline Makes Good on Pledge to Stop Mandating Car Parking Citywide
Ryan Packer, The Urbanist | August 13, 2025
The Shoreline City Council voted unanimously to remove off-street parking requirements for all future developments, joining other Washington cities like Spokane and Bremerton. The change supports city goals for affordable, higher-density housing, including rezoning near new light rail stations.
NEW YORK—NYCT Sees Safest Month Recorded for Subway System
Staff, Mass Transit Magazine | August 12, 2025
The MTA reported its safest month ever in July, with major felonies down 8 percent from last year despite ridership growing from 3.4 million to 3.9 million. Officials credit Gov. Hochul and the MTA’s Five Point Plan for Subway Safety, which includes increased police presence, added security cameras, and expanded mental health outreach.
NEW YORK—Construction Completes on New 417-Unit Apartment Building in Long Island City
Ethan Marshall, LIC Post | August 11, 2025
Grubb Properties has completed Link Apartments QPN, a 26-story, 417-unit building in Long Island City. Located in a highly walkable, mixed-use area next to the Queensboro Plaza—served by the 7, N, and W subway lines—the building began leasing in April. As of mid-August, only 13 units remained available.
International TOD News
TAIWAN—Connecting Taiwan: New Metro Line from Taipei to Taoyuan Promises Boost for Tourism
Staff, Travel and Tour World | August 12, 2025
A $496 million extension of the New Taipei Metro will add 2.5 miles and three stations by 2028. The project will shorten travel times for workers and students commuting from Taoyuan and is expected to strengthen the regional tourist economy by linking several major attractions.
INDONESIA—The Dual Mission of TOD MRT Jakarta
Francis Winsu Wardhana Dany & Mukhamad Kurniawan, Kompas | August 11, 2025
MRT Jakarta is advancing transit-oriented development to create walkable, multimodal hubs. Dukuh Atas, the most integrated site, connects MRT, commuter rail, light rail, BRT, and airport rail, with upgrades planned for pedestrian access. In Glodok–Kota, plans include street-front shops and mixed-use spaces to revitalize the historic district and create a continuous pedestrian corridor.
CANADA—Could Cable Cars Help Fix Traffic Problems in Canada
Cathrine Zu, CBC | August 10, 2025
Canadian cities are exploring cable cars as a low-cost, quick-to-build transit option that can bypass road congestion and complement existing transit. Burnaby’s proposed Burnaby Mountain Gondola could serve 25,000 weekday trips but awaits provincial and federal funding. Advocates cite international examples showing cable cars can be a practical addition to urban networks.