NJ TRANSIT CEO resigns (right); NJ AG supports housing obligations; Dallas funds West End TOD; Colorado invests in BRT; New Zealand Gov. provides housing boost (left top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
NJ TRANSIT CEO Corbett Resigns
Staff, Trains | December 9, 2024
Kevin Corbett, who has served as President and CEO of NJ TRANSIT since 2018, announced his resignation, effective January 15, 2024. Corbett plans to take a new position at a New Jersey university and spend more time with his family. During his tenure, he oversaw a $17 billion capital plan, contributing to a period of growth for NJ TRANSIT. Former NJ TRANSIT board chairman Kris Kolluri, who recently led the Gateway Development Commission, will succeed Corbett as CEO.
NJ TOD News
HACKENSACK—$115M Refinancing Secured for Newly Delivered Hackensack, N.J. Apartment Community
Gréta Kieras, JLL | December 10, 2024
JLL Capital Markets announced it has arranged $115 million in refinancing for Ivy and Green, a recently completed housing community with 389 units in Hackensack. Finished in two phases in 2023 and 2024, the development includes co-working spaces, bike storage, and EV charging stations. It is within walking distance of the Hackensack Bus Terminal and near Anderson Street and Essex Street Stations.
JERSEY CITY—New Renderings Revealed for 3085 John F. Kennedy Boulevard in Jersey City, New Jersey
Michael Young and Matt Pruznick, New York Yimby | December 10, 2024
MVMK Architecture and Journal Square Estates LLC have released new renderings for 3085 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, a two-building residential complex in Jersey City. The 12-story structure will feature 373 apartments, bike storage, and ground floor retail space, and will be part of the Journal Square 2060 Redevelopment Plan. Located near the Journal Square Transportation Center, residents will have access to PATH and NJ TRANSIT services. The completion date has not yet been announced.
NJ AG Will Ask State Court to Dismiss Lawsuit Seeking to Overturn NJ’s Affordable Housing Rules
Mike Hayes, Gothamist | December 6, 2024
NJ Attorney General Matthew Platkin has requested that a Superior Court Judge dismiss the lawsuit seeking to overturn the state’s affordable housing guidelines established earlier this year. The lawsuit, now joined by 26 of the state’s 564 municipalities, contends that these municipalities lack the infrastructure to accommodate additional affordable housing. The court is scheduled to hear arguments on the matter on December 20.
Transit and Equity News
TEXAS—Dallas City Council Approves $49 Million City Subsidy to Support Development of West End Lofts Project
Press Release, City of Dallas | December 11, 2024
The Dallas City Council approved a $49 million incentive package for the West End Lofts Project, a mixed-use development near the West End DART station. The project will feature 154 mixed-income apartments, including 63 units reserved for low-income households, along with retail space, a plaza, and renovations of historic buildings. Funded through private equity and city incentives, the development aims to revitalize the West End Historic District and stimulate economic growth.
PENNSYLVANIA—Pittsburgh Planning Commission Postpones Vote on Zoning Overhaul to Expand Affordable Housing
Julia Fraser, WESA | December 11, 2024
The Pittsburgh Planning Commission postponed a vote on proposed zoning changes to expand affordable housing, including citywide inclusionary zoning and transit-oriented development near three transit hubs. During public hearings, residents raised concerns about potential neighborhood changes, infrastructure strain, and risks associated with steep slopes. The commission will revisit the proposals in January to allow additional time for public input and revisions.
CALIFORNIA—Berkeley Forgoes Air Rights to Move Forward Ashby BART Development
Sierra Lopez, Silicon Valley | December 10, 2024
Berkeley and BART officials have finalized a land-for-air-rights exchange near the Ashby BART station, clearing the way for a transit-oriented housing development. The project will include 602 units, with 50 percent on the west lot and 35 percent on the east lot designated as affordable housing. Berkeley will contribute $26.5 million from its affordable housing fund, with construction slated to begin by 2026.
Regional and National TOD News
NEW YORK—How the Resurrected Congestion Pricing Plan Could Die in the Courts
Winnie Hu and Ana Ley, New York Times | December 12, 2024
Manhattan’s new congestion toll faces multiple legal challenges that could delay its planned implementation on January 5. At least ten lawsuits have been filed against the program in New York and New Jersey courts, raising the possibility of a judge halting the project. Further delays could provide an opportunity for President-elect Donald Trump, a vocal opponent of the toll, to terminate it after taking office.
OHIO & TENNESSEE—Voters Choose Transit in Two Sprawling Cities
Chris Dempsey, Public Square CNU | December 11, 2024
In November, voters in Nashville, TN, and Columbus, OH, approved significant transportation funding initiatives to enhance transit, biking, and walking infrastructure in their regions. Nashville’s “Choose How You Move” plan allocates $3.1 billion for sidewalks, bus systems, and smart traffic signals, while Columbus’s LinkUS plan dedicates $8 billion to a region-wide bus rapid transit system. These successes highlight a growing local commitment to multi-modal transportation, marking a shift toward more sustainable urban mobility in two rapidly expanding cities.
CALIFORNIA—Lendlease JV Tops Out LA Mixed-Use Project
Gail Kalinoski, Multi-Housing News | December 10, 2024
Lendlease and Aware Super have topped out Habitat, a mixed-use development in Los Angeles that includes a 12-story residential building and a six-story office building. The transit-oriented project, located near the LA Metro’s La Cienega/Jefferson Station, features 260 apartments, 253,000 square feet of office space, and ground-floor retail. With a focus on sustainability, Habitat is designed to achieve LEED Gold certification for the residential building and LEED Platinum certification for the office space.
Outlook for Downtown Rejuvenation
Ron Nyren, Urban Land | December 9, 2024
Policy experts highlighted strategies for downtown revitalization such as building public/private partnerships and incorporating human-friendly planning in a recent Urban Land Q&A article. With the rise of remote work since 2020, city officials have had to readjust their strategies of inducing growth in urban downtowns. The experts suggest diversifying uses, expanding transit access beyond commuter hours, and capitalizing on public assets.
COLORADO—Colorado’s Train Dreams Are Shunted Aside for a Major Bus Expansion
Michael Booth, Colorado Sun| December 8, 2024
Colorado has recently invested in multiple Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects throughout the state, identifying BRT as a useful and affordable solution to the state’s transportation needs. In the 2020s, state and local transportation leaders chose BRT for projects in Denver, Boulder and Fork Valley, citing the benefits it can provide as well as new federal aid measures that prioritize small individual projects over expensive rail infrastructure.
International TOD News
NEW ZEALAND—An American-Style Housing Crisis in New Zealand
Jerusalem Demsas, The Atlantic | December 10, 2024
This conversation with Eleanor West, a housing-policy expert and activist from New Zealand, explores how the Pacific nation addressed its affordable housing crisis through a national government-led initiative to increase density and enable new construction. In 2020, New Zealand implemented a policy to upzone areas around all transit stops in city centers, and in 2021, set a default residential building height of three stories in all city centers. As a result of these policies, New Zealand approved more housing units last year than San Francisco and Los Angeles combined, despite having only a third of their combined population.
GREECE—Thessaloniki’s New Metro System: A Blend of Modern Transit and Ancient Wonders
Will Tracy, The Daily Dive | December 4, 2024
Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest metropolitan area, has unveiled a new metro system that integrates the city’s ancient history. The system features driverless trains and a single 13-station subway line, set to expand in 2025 with the addition of five new stations. During construction, archaeologists uncovered over 300,000 ancient artifacts, many of which are now displayed at the transit stations.