TOD: the future of transit (right) • Fair Lawn development • Atlanta Beltline affordable housing • Early SB 79 impact • 15-minute city creator on Melbourne (left top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
What Transit-Oriented Development Means for the Future of Public Transportation
Elora Haynes, Metro Magazine | August 1, 2026
Transit agencies are increasingly leveraging the relationship between land use and transportation, making TOD central to their strategies for growing ridership and expanding housing. Success depends on long-term partnerships among agencies, municipalities, and developers as well as flexible planning and patience.
NJ TOD News
FAIR LAWN—JLL: Sterling, Danbro Land $67 Million Construction Loan for Fair Lawn Mixed-Use Project
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | August 6, 2026
Sterling and Danbro Properties broke ground on Plaza Greene, an age-restricted development near Radburn Station, after securing a $67 million construction loan. The project will include 145 units for residents 55 and older and 24,035 sq. ft. of retail space anchored by a Sprouts Farmers Market.
NJ TRANSIT Warns: Commuters at Risk in Proposed Freight Rail Merger
Benjamin J. Hulac, NJ Spotlight News | August 6, 2026
NJ TRANSIT says the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger could disrupt service on rail lines between Manville and Newark that the agency shares with Norfolk Southern. The merger would place roughly half of U.S. freight under one company, raising concerns about disruptions during integration.
CARTERET—Carteret’s New Ferry Terminal Is on the Rise
Tony Gallotto, TAPinto Woodbridge/Carteret | August 4, 2026
Construction began on Carteret’s long-awaited Multimodal Ferry Terminal. The $96 million facility will include retail space, restaurants, passenger lounge, designated areas for NJ TRANSIT buses, and ferry service to lower Manhattan.
TOD for Everyone: Designing for All Ages and Abilities
Staff, NJTOD | August 4, 2026
This NJTOD feature explores how TOD can help better serve people of all ages and abilities. But building near transit is rarely enough—successful age-friendly TOD integrates housing, transportation, and amenities to support residents throughout their lives.
Transit and Equity News
Van Hollen Unveils Plan to Turn Post Office Land Into Affordable Housing
Chris Van Hollen, Baynet | August 7, 2026
Senators Chris Van Hollen and John Curtis introduced legislation allowing to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to lease its property for housing development, generating revenue while expanding affordable housing. USPS owns 8,500 properties nationwide, which the Brookings Institution estimates could support up to 200,000 new homes.
GEORGIA—Atlanta Beltline With Pennrose and Radiant Development Partners Break Ground on Overlook at Garson
Staff, Yield Pro | August 6, 2026
The Atlanta Beltline and development partners broke ground on Overlook at Garson, a 130-unit affordable housing development near the Lindbergh MARTA Station. The project will serve households earning 50 to 80 percent of area median income. Completion is expected by 2028.
VIRGINIA—Rosslyn-Area Affordable Housing Project Spotlighted by N. VA. Advocacy Group
Scott McCaffrey, ARL Now | August 4, 2026
The Northern Virginia Affordable Housing Alliance highlighted Wholey Legacy Homes, a 234-unit affordable housing project, during a virtual bus tour. Located on a high-frequency bus corridor, the project development serves households earning 30 to 60 percent of area median income.
WASHINGTON—Issaquah Breaks Ground on Affordable Housing Project Ten Years in the Making
Ryan Packer, The Urbanist | August 3, 2026
Issaquah and the King County Housing Authority broke ground on Trailhead Apartments, a 154-unit affordable project next to the Issaquah Transit Center. Homes will serve households earning 40 to 60 percent of area median income, with several units reserved for people with disabilities. Completion is expected in 2028.
Regional and National TOD News
CALIFORNIA—SB 79, One Month In: Taking Stock of California YIMBY’s Signature Bill
Staff, California YIMBY | August 3, 2026
One month after implementation, compliance with California’s SB 79, which legalized apartment buildings near transit stops, varies widely. Developers have proposed hundreds of new homes in some cities, while others, including Beverly Hills, could face legal challenges over alleged miscalculations of development capacity.
MARYLAND—City of Frederick Receives State Transit-Oriented Development Designation for MARC Station Area
Press Release, City of Frederick | August 3, 2026
Maryland designated the area around Frederick’s MARC Station as a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). The designation improves access to state funding, financing, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits while advancing the City’s 2020 Comprehensive Plan.
OKLAHOMA—Oklahoma City Is Taking Transit Seriously (Which Is What Booming Regions Should Do)
Ethan Andersen, Streetsblog USA | August 3, 2026
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt announced plans to expand transit to support the region’s rapid growth, arguing that highway expansion alone is not a long-term solution. He supports a new transit tax to fund OKC Streetcar and Bus Rapid Transit expansion and the addition of a new commuter rail line.
International TOD News
KENYA—Nairobi Metro Moves Forward With Phase 1 Approval
Tiana May, Railway News | August 6, 2026
Nairobi approved the first phase of its Metropolitan Mass Rapid Transit System to reduce congestion and support growth. The phase includes two metro routes: one serving the central business district and another along one of the city’s busiest corridors.
AUSTRALIA—‘We Need to Densify’: Why the 15-Minute City Could Be the Key to Melbourne’s Housing Crisis
Cara Waters, The Age | August 5, 2026
Carlos Moreno, the scholar who developed the 15-minute city concept, will speak at the Melbourne Assembly about denser, walkable neighborhoods can help address the city’s housing shortage. Victoria’s 20-minute neighborhood policy already encourages higher-density development around transit-oriented activity centers, but affordability challenges remain.
CANADA—Canada’s Construction Sector Forecast to Grow 6.4% in 2026 Driven by Multi-Family Housing, Infrastructure
Mark Buckshon, Ontario Construction News | August 4, 2026
FMI forecasts Canada’s construction sector will grow 6.4 percent in 2026, driven by a 15.7 percent increase in multifamily construction. Single-family construction is projected to decline by 4.2 percent.