Tracking TOD (left) • Embark opens in East Orange • WA Gov announces $244M in housing funds • KC Streetcar doubles ridership • New cable car connects suburbs to Paris (right top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
Tracking Transit-Oriented Development
Yonah Freemark, Yipeng Su and Lydia Lo, Urban Institute | December 15, 2025
A new Urban Institute report outlines a set of indicators to track the performance of transit-oriented development (TOD). The indicators assess mixed-use development, access to employment, non-car travel, and displacement, among other outcomes. The authors recommend that states fund regular monitoring and evaluation of TODs using these measures.
NJ TOD News
ELIZABETH—LeCasse, MAS Development Start 2nd Phase of New Jersey Mixed-Use Project
Gail Kalinoski, Multi-Housing News | December 18, 2025
LeCasse and MAS Development will develop ECCO, a 258-unit mixed-use development next to Elizabeth Station. The project includes 35,000 sq. ft. of retail space and targets completion in 2027. The firms also developed Vinty, a 267-unit complex near Elizabeth Station, completed in 2022.
NEWARK—SK, Berger Land $250 Million in Financing for 396-Unit Newark Rental Project, W&D Says
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | December 16, 2025
SK Development and The Berger Organization secured $250 million in financing for a 396-unit infill project on a former parking lot in downtown Newark. The development will feature 4,700 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail and sit within walking distance of two Newark Light Rail stations, Newark Penn Station, and the downtown commercial district. Completion is slated for late 2028.
WESTFIELD—The Vantage Breaks Ground at 112 Ferris Place in Westfield, New Jersey
Max Gillespie, New York YIMBY | December 16, 2025
Vango Development has begun construction on The Vantage, a mixed-use project offering 60 rental units—including nine affordable—and ground-floor retail near Westfield Station on NJ TRANSIT’s Raritan Valley Line. Leasing is expected to begin in early 2027.
ASBURY PARK—Hudson Valley Property Group Invests $45 Million in Asbury Park Affordable Housing
Mario Marroquin, Jersey Digs | December 15, 2025
Hudson Valley Property Group is investing nearly $45 million to acquire and renovate Stevens Manor, a 170-unit affordable housing complex located less than two blocks from Asbury Park Station. The initiative aims to preserve high-quality, transit-accessible housing for residents of all income levels as housing costs rise in the city.
EAST ORANGE—Triangle, Incline Unveil 400 Rentals in Sweeping Project at East Orange’s Brick Church Station
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | December 15, 2025
Leasing has begun for 400 new residential units at Embark at The Crossings, the first phase of a larger development at Brick Church Station. The full project will create nearly 1,000 residential units and over 200,000 sq. ft. of commercial space, including an on-site ShopRite. Brick Church Station offers 25-minute service to midtown Manhattan via NJ TRANSIT’s Morristown Line.
Transit and Equity News
CALIFORNIA—$50M Funding Secured for Santa Monica Pickleball Site to Become Affordable Housing
Staff, Westside Current | December 19, 2025
Santa Monica secured $50 million to develop affordable housing on a city-owned pickleball site near the Downtown Santa Monica light rail station. The funding also supports transportation upgrades, including new buses, enhanced bus shelters, and improved bike lanes.
WASHINGTON—Governor Ferguson Announces Historic Investments in Affordable Housing, Executive Order to Help Establish Housing Agency
Press Release, Office of the Governor Bob Ferguson | December 18, 2025
Governor Bob Ferguson announced $244 million in new housing investments and signed an executive order to establish a state housing agency. The funding will expand affordable housing, create units for first-time homebuyers, and rehabilitate existing affordable homes. Ferguson also requested legislation requiring some cities to allow residential units in commercial zones.
WASHINGTON—Transit-Oriented Development Moves Forward at New South King County Link Stations
Staff, Sound Transit | December 16, 2025
Sound Transit will support more than 460 new affordable homes and retail space across two projects at the Federal Way and Des Moines stations, which opened in early December as part of the 1 Line extension. The Federal Way project includes 230 units for households earning 30 to 60 percent of AMI, with construction slated for 2028. The Des Moines project includes 233 units for households earning 30 to 80 percent of AMI, with construction expected to begin in 2026.
OHIO—Alms and Doepke Building Latest for Conversion from Office Space to Apartments
Grace Erwin, WCPO | December 11, 2025
Hamilton County finalized the $12.1 million sale of a county-owned office building to enable workforce housing in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Led by Stough Development and Chavez Properties, the project will create 150 workforce and market-rate residential units with ground-floor retail next to the Hanke Exchange light rail station.
Regional and National TOD News
CALIFORNIA—Parcel A Breaks Ground at BART Transit Oriented Development
Gabriel Clark-Clough, SF YIMBY | December 18, 2025
Construction began at El Cerrito Plaza BART Station on a 743-unit, mixed-income transit-oriented development. The project will replace more than eight acres of surface parking with housing, 2,100 sq. ft. of retail, and a potential public library. The first phase includes a 70-unit affordable building, with all six buildings scheduled for completion by 2029.
MISSOURI—KC Streetcar Ridership Doubles After Expansion
Staff, Progressive Railroading | December 11, 2025
Average daily ridership on the KC Streetcar has more than doubled since Kansas City opened its 3.5-mile Main Street expansion in October. Weekday ridership rose from roughly 4,000 to 10,000 daily passengers, while weekend ridership increased from 7,000 to 14,000. The system recorded its highest monthly ridership in November, with 341,922 passengers. Kansas City has increased service frequency to meet demand.
International TOD News
FRANCE—Europe’s Longest Urban Cable Car Is Unveiled Over Dazzling Capital City
Sophie-May Williams, Metro | December 16, 2025
France opened a new urban cable car connecting Paris with nearby suburbs that lack strong transit service. The nearly 3-mile system includes 105 gondolas with 10 seats each, can carry about 11,000 passengers per day, and cuts travel times by roughly half compared with bus or car. Parisian officials selected the cable car for its lower cost relative to other grade-separated transit options.
SAUDI ARABIA—Saudi Arabia Railways and Dedicated Housing Company Launch a Hospitality-Inspired Residential Community
Press Release, Zawya | December 15, 2025
Saudi Arabia Railways has partnered with Dedicated Housing Company to develop more than 450 new residential units next to the East Network Railway Station in Riyadh. The project targets young professionals and intercity commuters and will include co-working lounges and shared kitchens. Construction is expected to finish by 2028.
CANADA—Ottawa-Montreal Chosen as 1st Segment of Promised High-Speed Rail Line
Benjamin Shingler, CBC News | December 12, 2025
Canada will advance plans for its first high-speed rail line, beginning with a segment between Montreal and Ottawa. The planned corridor will extend more than 600 miles and feature trains operating at speeds exceeding 180 miles per hour. Construction on the estimated $60 billion project is expected to begin in 2029.