Amtrak pushes costly new station (left); Bayonne pedestrian bridge planned over Rt. 440; Affordable rent-to-own housing; Montana looks to limit urban parking; Land use policies can boost metro benefits in Bengaluru (right top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
NEW YORK—Amtrak Wants to Sell Us a Very Expensive New Station
Nolan Hicks, New York Magazine | Curbed, August 23 2024
Amtrak has proposed a $16.7 billion expansion of Penn Station to accommodate increased traffic from the new Gateway Tunnel, which is set to double tracks under the Hudson River by 2038. Critics have raised concerns about the project’s high cost and the lack of coordination among transit agencies. They suggest that improving the efficiency of existing infrastructure might better meet transit needs. They are calling on leaders such as U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the governors of New York and New Jersey to reassess the necessity and scope of the expansion.
NJ TOD News
Fitch Rates $2.4B NJ Transportation Trust Fund Bonds ‘A’; Affirms IDR At ‘A+’; Outlook Stable
Staff Writer, FitchRatings, August 20 2024
The New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority (NJTTFA) received an ‘A’ rating from Fitch Ratings for its issuance of $2.4 billion in bonds, including $1.3 billion in tax-exempt transportation system bonds and $1.07 billion in transportation program bonds, both tax-exempt and federally taxable. These bonds are backed by annual contract payments from the state treasurer, contingent on state appropriation. Despite the strong rating, Fitch notes that New Jersey’s high liabilities continue to pose long-term fiscal challenges.
BAYONNE—Concept Report for Pedestrian Bridge Over Route 440 Complete
Al Sullivan, TapInto Bayonne, August 28 2024
Ty Line, a global engineering firm, has completed a concept report for a pedestrian bridge in Bayonne. The bridge is planned to connect the 34th Street Light Rail Station to the recently developed Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor (PABH) by crossing Route 440. The project aims to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists between these key areas. It includes plans for traffic studies, intersection enhancements, and full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The proposed bridge would link directly to the existing NJ TRANSIT pedestrian structure and provide ADA-compliant access via ramps or elevators, significantly improving connectivity and accessibility in the neighborhood.
LINDEN—MORDEVCO Breaks Ground on 334-Unit Rental Project at Key Site in Downtown Linden
Joshua Burd, RealEstateNJ, August 26 2024
MORDEVCO Cos. LLC is initiating a mixed-use development in downtown Linden near NJ Transit’s Linden station at North Wood and West Elizabeth avenues. The $120 million project will include 334 apartments and 13,000 sq. ft. of retail space. This development is part of an effort to increase housing options and promote transit-oriented growth in the area. Linden was designated as a New Jersey Transit Village community in 2010.
JERSEY CITY—In Jersey City, GRT Architects Converts Brick Warehouses into a Mixed-Use Residential Complex
Daniel Jonas Roche, The Architect’s Newspaper, August 21 2024
GRT Architects has converted three 19th-century brick warehouses in Jersey City’s Morris Canal Historic District into a mixed-use residential complex with both market-rate and affordable units. Located at 66 Monitor Street, near the Liberty State Park Station, the project added four new stories to the existing structures while preserving their historic character. By repurposing these buildings near a major transit hub, GRT Architects has contributed to Jersey City’s revitalization, enhancing the neighborhood while respecting its architectural heritage.
Transit and Equity News
CALIFORNIA—Casa Familiar Awarded $33 Million Grant, Looks to Build Affordable Rent-to-Own Units in San Ysidro
Jasmine Ramirez, CBS8, August 27 2024
Breaking new ground in affordable housing, Casa Familiar has secured a $33 million grant to build 100 affordable rent-to-own units in San Ysidro, aimed at low- and moderate-income families. This project, part of a Community Land Trust, will enable residents to purchase their homes at a reduced price after 15 years, ensuring long-term affordability. Despite local concerns about parking and construction, Casa Familiar plans to begin building next summer. The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) will expand public transportation in the area to support the development.
NEW YORK—NYC Queens BP Says ‘Yes’ to Adams Zoning Plan, But ‘No’ to Ending Costly Parking Mandates
Sophia Lebowitz, StreetsBlog NYC, August 27 2024
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards has endorsed Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” residential zoning proposal, which seeks to increase housing development across New York City. However, Richards has taken a stand on maintaining parking mandates in low-density areas of Queens, opposing the mayor’s plan to eliminate them citywide. He argues that in transit deserts like Eastern and Southeastern Queens, where many residents rely on cars to access the infrequent Long Island Railroad services, parking requirements should be preserved.
OREGON—Wilsonville Breaks Ground on 121 Units of Affordable Housing at Wilsonville Transit Center
Staff Writer, Wilsonville Oregon, August 26, 2024
Wilsonville has begun construction on Vuela, a transit-oriented development supported by a partnership between Metro, Clackamas County, and developer Palindrome. This project will provide 121 affordable housing units at the Wilsonville Transit Center for households earning 30 to 80 percent of the Area Median Income. Set for completion by late 2025 or early 2026, Vuela will include community amenities such as a coffee house and a new home for Wilsonville Community Sharing, a local non-profit social service agency. The City facilitated this project by selling the land for $1 and offering $1.4 million in subsidies. The project has also received financial support from state bonds, tax credits, and Oregon Metro, the regional government.
NEW YORK—Congestion Pricing | New York Lawmakers Tell Court Hochul Has No Authority to Pause Manhattan Toll
Ben Brachfeld, AMNY, August 26 2024
A group of lawmakers argued in court that Governor Kathy Hochul lacks the legal authority to pause Manhattan’s congestion pricing, a decision that they contend should be made solely by the MTA under the 2019 Traffic Mobility Act. They assert that the law was designed to protect the MTA from political interference. The lawmakers support a lawsuit to restart the tolling program, warning that the governor’s intervention could undermine the MTA’s independence and create confusion
over toll decisions. Hochul, however, has defended her pause,
citing public opposition.
TEXAS—Report: How Austin’s Light Rail Implementation Compares to Transit Industry Best Practices
Kelsey Thompson, KWAN, August 23 2024
A recent evaluation of Austin’s Project Connect light rail system by the national transit nonprofit Accelerator for America Action highlights the system’s alignment with best practices in community engagement and land use, both crucial for transit access. However, the study points out the need for improvements in the permitting process to enhance efficiency. The evaluation will continue to monitor the project’s progress, with a focus on procurement and environmental impact.
Regional and National TOD News
MASSACHUSETTS—South Boston Gillette Manufacturing Campus Could Become Mixed-Use Development, Waterfront Park
Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald | Microsoft News, August 23 2024
Proctor & Gamble (P&G) plans to redevelop its 31-acre Gillette site in South Boston into a mixed-use area where at least 30 percent of the land area will be used for housing. The site will also feature commercial spaces and public waterfront parks. This project, P&G’s largest investment in Massachusetts, comes after moving Gillette’s manufacturing operations to Andover while keeping its headquarters in South Boston. The redevelopment aims to address housing and economic needs, though there are concerns about job losses. Mayor Michelle Wu supports the plan, which focuses on
transit-oriented development and community benefits.
WASHINGTON—Mountlake Terrace’s Town Center Slowly Emerges Ahead of Light Rail
Staff Writer, The Urbanist, August 27 2024
The City of Mountlake Terrace is preparing for the arrival of light rail service by implementing land use reforms to transform the area around its station into a dense urban neighborhood. As a part of this effort, the City is overseeing the construction and planning of over 1,800 homes near the new Mountlake Terrace Station, which will be a key gateway for Snohomish County on the Lynwood Link extension. Major developments like Terrace Station are leading this transformation, adding residential units and commercial space to enhance the area’s transit-oriented development.
NEVADA—Las Vegas Betting on Bus Rapid Transit to Spur Development Along Key Corridors
Bendix Anderson, Urban Land, August 23 2024
Las Vegas is investing $378 million in bus rapid transit (BRT) to spur urban development along key corridors, including Maryland Parkway. The City aims to improve public transportation and stimulate real estate growth in areas outside the Las Vegas Strip, such as Maryland Parkway, which serves low-income and minority neighborhoods. Supported by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the project is expected to attract private investments by enhancing transit accessibility and introducing new land use rules to promote mixed-use,
transit-oriented development along the BRT lines.
MONTANA—Giantforte Housing Task Force Suggest Limiting Urban Parking Requirements
Eric Dietrich, MTFP, August 22 2024
Governor Greg Gianforte’s housing task force has proposed a significant recommendation to boost home construction in Montana’s largest cities. The task force suggests limiting urban parking requirements in cities like Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman, and Helena, arguing that reducing these mandates could make housing development easier and more affordable, especially in areas served by public transit. This recommendation is part of a broader effort to address the state’s housing shortage.
International TOD News
INDIA—New Research Reveals How Changing Land Use Policies Can Maximize Metro Benefits in Bengaluru
Staff Writer, India Education Diary, August 27 2024
New research published in the Journal of Development Economics highlights the potential for Bengaluru’s metro system to significantly boost the city’s economy and improve residents’ quality of life, particularly through land use reforms. The study found that the city’s Namma Metro has already increased output by 4.3 percent and welfare by 1.3 percent. However, with transit-oriented development (TOD), output could rise by 14.7 percent and welfare by 3.4 percent. Researchers urge revising land use policies to fully leverage the benefits of the metro system.
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CANADA—Feds Identify 56 Government Properties for Conversion to Affordable Housing
Mia Rabson and Lyndsay Armstrong, The Toronto Star | The Canadian Press, August 25 2024
To address Canada’s housing crisis, the federal government has added 56 properties to a public lands bank for long-term leases to developers to build affordable housing. Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced the plan, which aims to reduce construction costs and maintain affordability. The properties, including former military bases and federal buildings, are located in 28 municipalities. The government plans to begin construction on the first five sites by mid-2025.
INDIA—Cab Strike Shows Housing Has Grown Here, Not Last-Mile Link
Shafaque Alam, The Time of India, August 25 2024
The Noida Metro, designed to improve city mobility and reduce reliance on private vehicles, is struggling due to inadequate last-mile connectivity, with daily ridership hovering around 50,000. A recent cab and auto strike highlighted the city’s dependence on inconsistent transport options, particularly in areas like Greater Noida West, where residents struggled to find alternatives. Although there are proposals to extend the metro network and improve connectivity, these plans are still waiting approval, leaving many residents reliant on costly and unreliable transport services.
NEW ZEALAND— ‘Our Time as Citizens of This City Is Now, Let’s Make It Thrive’
Claire Sharpe and Simon Hardy, The Post | Te Upoko O Te Ika, August 22 2024
Sharpe and Hardy, both with Warren and Mahoney Architects, argue that Wellington must embrace transformative changes to maintain a compact, sustainable urban environment amidst pressures to grow. They stress the critical role of public transportation within holistic urban planning, highlighting that efficient and reliable transit systems are essential for fostering sustainability and community connectivity. By drawing on successful models like Copenhagen’s “Finger Plan,” Sharpe and Hardy advocate for long-term planning that prioritizes public transport as the backbone of a thriving, sustainable city that future generations can be proud to call home.