NJTOD covers MBTA Communities Law (left); Murphy’s final budget plan; eTOD plan in Chicago; Miami starts massive TOD project; Nairobi’s chaotic transport system (right top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
MASSACHUSETTS—Transit, Zoning, and Affordable Housing: Insights from Massachusetts
Staff, NJTOD | February 28, 2025
NJTOD explores the Massachusetts’ MBTA Communities Law, which requires municipalities near transit to zone for multifamily housing. The law provides flexibility based on community type—Rapid Transit Communities or Adjacent Small Towns—while addressing the state’s housing shortage. As New Jersey debates similar policies, the law offers key lessons on balancing housing growth and local control.
NJ TOD News
In NJ, a Fight Over Whether to Build Affordable Homes or Offer Help Buying One
Mike Hayes, Gothamist | February 28, 2025
Gov. Phil Murphy proposed expanding a first-time homebuyer down payment assistance program in his final budget speech, funded through NJ’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Critics argue diverting money from the trust fund will decrease new affordable construction, preventing prospective homebuyers from placing down payments.
JERSEY CITY—Alpine Snags $143 Million Construction Loan, Equity for 500-Unit ‘Scholars Village’ Project Near Liberty Science Center, JLL Says
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | February 26, 2025
Alpine Residential secured a $143 million construction loan for a project next to the Liberty Science Center. Part of a broader expansion plan for the Center, Scholars Village will comprise 500 units and 4,101 sq. ft. of ground floor retail. Residents will be a five-minute walk from the NJ TRANSIT Liberty State Park Station on the HBLR.
NJBA Launches Legal Challenges Against Towns Seeking to Lower Affordable Housing Obligations
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | February 26, 2025
The New Jersey Builders Association (NJBA) filed lawsuits against 159 municipalities attempting to lower their fourth-round affordable housing obligations. NJBA argues these reductions undermine efforts to address the state’s housing shortage. Resolutions with reduced obligations remained open to legal challenges through February 28.
NEWARK—$94M ‘Museum Parc’ Breaks Ground in Newark: Housing, Art, Retail
Eric Kiefer, Patch | February 25, 2025
The $94 million Museum Parc project broke ground in Newark, set to deliver 250 apartments, including 50 affordable units, and 2,300 sq. ft. of retail. The mixed-use, mixed-income development is near two NJ TRANSIT Newark Light Rail stations and is expected to be completed by 2027.
Tax and Spending Increases Mark Murphy’s Final Budget Plan
John Reitmeyer, NJ Spotlight News | February 25, 2025
Governor Phil Murphy proposed his final budget, calling for increased spending on public schools, transit, and pension. NJ TRANSIT is set to receive $800 million in new funding from last year’s corporate tax. Additional funding will come from higher tax on gambling, alcohol, and tobacco.
Transit and Equity News
WASHINGTON—Bellevue Receives $100M for Affordable Housing as Construction Starts on New Spring District Development
Press Release, City of Bellevue, WA | February 27, 2025
Bellevue city officials celebrated the groundbreaking of a 234-unit affordable development on a site next to a Sound Transit Light Rail station, constructed in collaboration between Bellevue, Sound Transit, Amazon and BRIDGE Housing. At the groundbreaking, Amazon representatives announced an additional $100 million for new transit-oriented affordable housing projects in Bellevue.
MASSACHUSETTS—120-Unit Housing Project in Hyannis Receives Low-Income Housing Tax Credits
Zane Razzaq, Cape Cod Times | February 26, 2025
A 120-unit all-affordable housing project in Hyannis received low-income housing tax credits. The development will include 24 units at 80 percent Area Median Income, 70 units at 60 percent AMI and 16 units at 30 percent AMI. Residents will be within walking distance of the Hyannis Transportation Center, terminus for several CCRTA bus lines and the seasonal CapeFLYER passenger train.
NEW YORK—‘City of… Sort Of’: How Do The ‘Outer Transit Zone’ Parking Mandate Reductions Work?
Sophia Lebowitz, Streetsblog NYC | February 26, 2025
In December 2024, the New York City Council passed the “City of Yes” plan, which originally aimed to remove parking mandates citywide. Compromises led to zoning carve-outs, but the plan still raised the parking waiver threshold, enabling more development without triggering parking requirements.
CALIFORNIA—Is Muni More Important Than Affordable Housing?
Tim Redmond, 48hills | February 24, 2025
San Francisco’s Land Use and Transportation Committee approved a resolution supporting Muni’s proposal to allow the development of market-rate housing on land it owns. Critics argue the agency should prioritize non-market housing to curb displacement, as the city grapples with inequality and a budget deficit.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA—Poll Finds District Residents Prefer Housing Affordability to Neighborhood Character
Alex Baca and Dean Howell, Greater Greater Washington | February 24, 2025
A Greater Greater Washington poll found strong support for policies to boost housing supply, including allowing fourplexes in single-family zones, office-to-residential conversions, and reducing parking requirements for new development. Most DC residents—across all demographics —prioritize lower housing costs over preserving neighborhood character.
ILLINOIS—City of Chicago Accepts CTA’s Plan for Equitable Transit-Oriented Development
Staff, Mass Transit | February 24, 2025
The Chicago Plan Commission adopted the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) 95th Street Corridor Plan, an equitable transit-oriented development (eTOD) strategy aimed at walkable, mixed-use growth near transit. Covering a two-mile stretch, the plan prioritizes affordable housing and investment in historically underserved communities.
Regional and National TOD News
FLORIDA—Miami Developer Breaks Ground on $1B Transit-Oriented Project
Zachary Phillips, Smart Cities Dive | February 26, 2025
Terra broke ground on Upland Park, a $1 billion, 47-acre transit-oriented community next to Miami’s Dolphin Park-and-Ride Transit Terminal. The project will feature over 2,000 multifamily units and 696,000 sq. ft. of retail and commercial space. The first phase, with 578 apartments, is set for completion by 2026.
NEW YORK—Congestion Pricing on Track to Fill Transit Funding Gap, MTA Says
Jose Martinez, The City | February 24, 2025
New York’s congestion pricing program raised $48.7 million in its first 27 days, putting it on track to surpass the MTA’s $500 million target. Funds will be used to modernize subway signals, improve accessibility, and expand service. Ridership on the subway, LIRR, and Metro-North has also increased since implementation.
CALIFORNIA—Trump Targets $128 Billion California High-Speed Rail Project
Maxwell Adler, Bloomberg | February 20, 2025
The Trump administration launched a review of California’s high-speed rail project, citing cost overruns and delays. Once projected at $33 billion, costs have ballooned to $89-$128 billion, with only 119 miles under construction. California Democrats defended the project, calling it critical for the state’s future.
International TOD News
KENYA—Treat Public Transport as the Health Issue It Is
Nicholas Okumu, Star Illustration | February 25, 2025
Nairobi’s once efficient bus system and pedestrian infrastructure have deteriorated, creating a public health crisis. A chaotic transport system discourages walking, increases air pollution, and causes thousands of road deaths each year. Kenyan surgeon Nicholas Okumu argues that Nairobi must treat public transport as a public good to reverse these trends.
EAST ASIA—Not Just a Train Stop: The Evolution of Transit-Oriented Developments in East Asia
Jonathan Yeung, Arch Daily | February 24, 2025
High-density East Asian cities thrive on efficient transit infrastructure, making them ideal for transit-oriented development. By leveraging land development rights, increasing station-area density, and investing in transit, cities like Tokyo and Hong Kong have integrated TOD into their urban fabric.