Tallest building proposed for Newark (right); New theater for NJ Symphony; How car commutes make Americans sick; Mixed-use TOD in Roslyn LI; New South Wales misses affordable housing targets (left top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
NEWARK—Proposed 1,000-Unit, Two-Tower Development Would be Tallest in Newark
Matt Kadosh, TAPinto Newark, August 21 2024
KS Group, in partnership with Giga Holdings, has submitted plans for a 51-story, two-tower development at 315 Mulberry Street in Newark. If approved, this project could become the city’s tallest structure. Located within walking distance of Newark Penn Station, the development will include 1,008 residential units, with 20 percent designated as affordable housing. This project aims to address housing needs and contribute to Newark’s ongoing revitalization.
NJ TOD News
JERSEY CITY—New 550-Seat Theater for New Jersey Symphony Coming to Toll Bros. Site in Jersey City
Joshua Burd, RealEstateNJ, August 22 2024
Toll Brothers, Inc. is developing a new 550-seat theater for the New Jersey Symphony, located two blocks from PATH Grove Street Station and NJ TRANSIT’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail in Jersey City’s Powerhouse Arts District. Scheduled to open in spring 2026, the theater will serve as the Symphony’s permanent home and offer space for artistic, educational, and community programs and administrative offices. This project aims to provide accessible symphonic music and arts to the community.
SOUTH AMBOY—Vacant Main Street Property in South Amboy Eyed for Development
Susan Loyer, My Central Jersey, August 19 2024
West Street Partners LLC plans to develop a three-story building with 24 one-bedroom apartments on a vacant property in South Amboy, near the train station. The project requires bulk and use variances for building height, lot depth, parking, and for multifamily residential use as it is not currently permitted in the area. A traffic study suggests minimal impact on surrounding roads. A public hearing is scheduled for August 28.
HOBOKEN—Hoboken Launches New Interactive Map to Help Residents Plan Around Construction Projects
Press Release, City of Hoboken, August 15 2024
The City of Hoboken has introduced an interactive online map to help residents plan around construction projects. Updated weekly by the Department of Climate Action and Innovation, the map provides details on the location, timing, and scope of public infrastructure projects, along with anticipated traffic impacts. Mayor Ravi Bhalla stated that this tool is part of the City’s efforts to modernize operations and improve residents’ quality of life.
Transit and Equity News
WASHINGTON—Six Housing and Planning Bills That Help Washington Communities Confront the Housing Crisis
Lisa Pool, Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC), August 23 2024
Senior planner and urban policy expert Lis Pool outlines six key housing and planning bills passed in Washington State’s recent legislative session, aimed at addressing the housing crisis. These bills address co-living, parking standards, building conversions, “middle housing” (low-rise multifamily such as duplexes and townhomes), and manufactured housing, all designed to increase affordable housing options. Pool discusses the potential impact of these new regulations on local communities and
underscores the need for adapting local codes to meet the
state’s growing housing needs.
MICHIGAN—What Kalamazoo Reveals About the Nation’s Housing Crisis
Connor Dougherty, The New York Times, August 22 2024
Economic journalist Connor Dougherty examines the nation’s housing crisis through the lens of Kalamazoo’s shifting housing market. Once burdened by a surplus of dilapidated homes, the city now faces a severe housing shortage, reflecting challenges seen nationwide. This shift is partly due to the lasting effects of the 2008 housing crash, as states across the political spectrum contend with high costs and insufficient supply.
How Kamala’s 3 Million Home Plan and $25 Payments Could Impact New Jersey
Andrew Taylor, Shore News Network, August 18 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris’s housing plan seeks to address the nationwide affordability crisis by building 3 million new affordable homes and providing $25,000 in down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers. While the plan could have a significant impact, it raises concerns about rising home prices, strained infrastructure, legal challenges, gridlock, and potential resistance from local communities. Despite its ambitious goals, the plan may encounter substantial obstacles, particularly in states with already complex housing issues.
How Car Commutes Are Making Americans Sick
Nikita Luke, StreetsBlog USA, August 15 2024
The significant mental and physical health impacts of daily car commutes contribute to rising stress, obesity, and cardiovascular disease risk. Studies reveal that walking, cycling, and using public transit can improve well-being, reduce air pollution, and enhance quality of life. A strong case can be made for implementing policies that discourage excessive car use and promote sustainable transit options, highlighting the importance of active transportation for both current and future generations. This article originally appeared in The City Fix.
Regional and National TOD News
CALIFORNIA—Los Angeles Is in a 4-Year Sprint to Deliver a Car-Free 2028 Olympics
Jay L. Zogorsky, The Conversation, August 21 2024
Jay L. Zagorsky, Associate Professor of Markets, Public Policy, and Law at Boston University, analyzes Los Angeles’ ambitious plan to deliver a car-free 2028 Olympics. He traces the city’s history with public transit, from early 20th-century electric streetcars to the mid-20th-century shift toward car dependency. While organizers are optimistic about achieving a car-free Olympics through expanded public transit and restricted car access, Zagorsky predicts that Los Angeles will likely revert to its car-centric culture after the Games.
NEW YORK—Bronx Rezoning Approval That Stands to Deliver 7,000 New Homes and Four Commuter Rail Stations Elicits Mixed Reviews
Daniel Jonas Roche, The Architect’s Newspaper, August 20 2024
Amid a significant housing crisis, the New York City Department of Planning has approved a rezoning plan to introduce 7,000 new homes near four new Metro-North stations to the Bronx, aiming to improve transportation and housing availability in the borough. While the project promises to reduce commute times and bring substantial infrastructure improvements, it has elicited mixed reactions from residents. Supporters view it as a necessary step to address the housing shortage, while critics fear it could lead to gentrification, displacing long-time residents and changing the character of local communities. Also see: New York City Council Votes to Approve Bronx Metro-North Stations Rezoning to Build 7,000 Homes and Invest Nearly $500 Million in the East Bronx.
NEW YORK—Residential Leasing Begins at New Mixed-Use TOD in Roslyn
David Winzelberg, Long Island Business News, August 15 2024
Residential leasing has begun for Bryant Plaza, a new $50 million mixed-use development located near the Roslyn Long Island Rail Road Station. The four-story, 105,000-square-foot building at 333 Warner Avenue features 54 apartments, including 11 designated as workforce housing for various income levels, and 6,600 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail space. The development replaces a dilapidated shopping center with contemporary architecture aimed at enhancing community growth and accessibility.
International TOD News
CANADA—Raising the Bar in Winnipeg
Erin Ruddy, The Remi Network, August 19 2024 Carrington Real Estate has recently broken ground on 25 Station Place in Winnipeg. Located near the Jubilee rapid transit station, this 16-story, transit-oriented development will feature over 150 units, including townhomes, and will incorporate a state-of-the-art geothermal heating and cooling system for sustainability. Set for completion in summer 2026, the project aims to create a vibrant, energy-efficient community that enhances urban living in Winnipeg.
MOROCCO—Rabat Announces Ambitious Urban Transport Project: Bus Rapid Transit
Muhammad Al-Fassi, Fes News, August 19 2024
A new bus rapid transit (BRT) line is set to open in Rabat, Morocco, managed by Rabat Region Mobility. This BRT network will complement the existing tram lines with new routes connecting key areas such as Madinat Al Irfane, Hay Riad, Temara, and the Rabat-Agdal high-speed train station. Designed to accommodate projected population growth to 2.75 million residents by 2030 and handle over 7.5 million daily trips, the system is part of preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 World Cup, addressing the increasing demand in the Rabat-Salé-Temara region.
AUSTRALIA—Government Faces Anger Over Affordable Housing Target Shortfalls
Andrew Taylor, The Age, August 18 2024
The New South Wales (NSW) Planning Department faces criticism for failing to meet its promised 15 percent affordable housing target in transit-oriented developments around Sydney’s train stations. Data shows that some areas, such as Bankstown and Kellyville, will have as few as 3 percent of new dwellings designated as affordable housing, prompting outrage from community and housing groups. While the state government defends these requirements as part of broader housing measures, developers argue that the high targets make many sites unfeasible for construction, leading to calls for lower, more achievable targets.