TOD News Briefs

The Week in TOD News January 25-31, 2025

NJ’s affordable housing deadline (left); Record-high growth in NJ; Housing solutions in Colorado; Plano TX new TOD plan; New study measures global TOD (right top-to-bottom) 

Article of the Week

Building in the early stage of construction with only its frame up.
A 44-unit affordable housing complex under construction in Madison, NJ. Courtesy of the Borough of Madison, NJ

NJ Towns Face Affordable Housing Deadline This Week After Judge Rejects Second Challenge 
William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record | January 27, 2025 
New Jersey Superior Court Judge Robert Lougy rejected a second attempt by 26 New Jersey towns to halt the state’s affordable housing mandate. All municipalities must accept or challenge their housing obligations by January 31. The towns plan to appeal, arguing the mandate promotes overdevelopment, plan to appeal, while housing advocates support the ruling, citing the need for more affordable homes. 


NJ TOD News

 
ALT: Map showing percent change in state population from 2023 to 2024. Many of the fastest growing states are in the west, the south, and New Jersey.
Courtesy of U.S. Census Bureau

New Jersey’s Population Hits Record High – Now the Fastest-Growing in the Northeast 
Bill Hartnett, Jersey Digs | January 31, 2025 
New Jersey’s population has reached 9.5 million, making it the fastest-growing state in the Northeast and the 10th fastest nationwide, according to new U.S. Census data. While losing residents to other states, New Jersey has gained over 327,000 international immigrants since 2020, fueling population and job growth. Governor Murphy credited this growth to a strong economy, citing record-high job numbers and employers in the state. 

Rendering of Bayfront Promenade
Rendering of Bayfront Promenade. Courtesy of Jersey City, NJ 

JERSEY CITY—First Phase of Jersey City’s Bayfront Project Nabs $64 Million Tax Credit 
Chris Fry, Jersey Digs | January 30, 2025 
The Bayfront Promenade project in Jersey City secured a $64 million Aspire tax credit to support the construction of 210 residential units, with 74 affordable units. The building will also include 10,600 sq. ft. of commercial space and amenities. This project is part of a broader 95-acre revitalization, the Bayfront redevelopment plan, which also will also include a new light rail station and a fire station. 

Rendering of One Lackawanna Place. Courtesy of MHS Architecture

MORRISTOWN—Two Large Mixed-Use Developments Approved for Morristown 
Tom Bergeron, ROI-NJ | January 28, 2025 
The Morristown Planning Board approved two mixed-use developments totaling 215 residential units near Morristown train station. One Lackawanna Place will include 89 residential units and 5,118 sq. ft. of retail, while The Metro will add 126 units, replacing a strip mall. Both projects support Morristown’s ongoing redevelopment efforts around the NJ TRANSIT-served Morristown Station. 


Transit and Equity News

Rendering of The Eastwalk. The development will be located on the water.
Rendering of The Eastwalk. Courtesy of WinnDevelopment

MASSACHUSETTS—Construction Begins on $47 Million Transit-Oriented, Mixed-Income Development in Braintree, MA 
Staff, Boston Real Estate Times | January 29, 2025 
WinnDevelopment and Arch Communities have begun construction on The Eastwalk, a $47-million, transit-oriented apartment community in Braintree, MA, with 56 units. The project includes 30 affordable units (up to 60% AMI), 20 workforce units, and six market-rate units. Located within walking distance of Braintree Station on MBTA’s Red and Old Colony lines, it is set for completion by summer 2026. 

Rendering of the 1st & Main Street Transit Revitalization Project. It will be a large-scale development near the station with multiple buildings
Rendering of the 1st & Main Street Transit Revitalization Project in Longmont, CO. Courtesy of the City of Longmont, CO

COLORADO—Opinion: Despite Colorado’s Failed Ballot Measures, We Can Still Address Affordable Housing Crisis in 2025 
Aaron Miripol, Colorado Sun | January 28, 2025 
Colorado faces an affordable housing shortfall, but Urban Land Conservancy President and CEO Aaron Miripol sees solutions beyond the state’s failed ballot measures. He advocates for leveraging public land near transit, loosening land-use restrictions, and expediting development. Prioritizing TOD and streamlining permitting, he argues, can help meet the state’s housing needs. 

Bob Ferguson with his 53-member transition team on the steps of the Washington State Capitol Building.
WA Gov. Bob Ferguson and his transition team. Courtesy of the Office of Governor Bob Ferguson

WASHINGTON—Ferguson Transition Team: Transit-Oriented Development Should Be ‘Top Priority’ 
Ryan Packer, The Urbanist | January 24, 2025 
Gov. Bob Ferguson’s transition team identified TOD policies as a “top priority” in addressing Washington’s housing shortfall. The plan emphasizes TOD’s unmatched potential to produce housing across income levels and urges the state to prioritize high-density development near high-capacity transit. It also supports rent stabilization, parking mandate reforms, and faster approvals to advance long-term housing goals. 


Regional and National TOD News

Map showing planned stations on the DART Silver Line, which will go from the DFW Airport to the end of Plano, TX.
Courtesy of DART

TEXAS—Plano City Council Approves Development Plan for DART Silver Line Stations 
Winston Henvey, Plano Star Courier | January 29, 2025 
The Plano City Council approved the Silver Line Station Areas Plan, paving the way for mixed-use, transit-oriented communities near two future DART Silver Line stations. The plan promotes higher-density housing and commercial spaces while addressing challenges like high land costs and outdated zoning regulations. The 26-mile DART Silver Line is set for completion between late 2025 and early 2026. 

Amtrak Cascades train traveling along a body of water.
Amtrak Cascades. Courtesy of Washington State Department of Transportation

PACIFIC NORTHWEST—Record-Breaking Year for Amtrak Cascades Ridership Between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland 
Kenneth Chan, Daily Hive | January 27, 2025 
The Amtrak Cascades, linking the Pacific Northwest, reached an all-time ridership high in 2024, continuing its pre-pandemic growth. Washington officials attribute the increase to extra daily round trips, a fare-free program for youth, and rising demand between major cities. Amtrak plans new trains and infrastructure upgrades, including potential high-speed rail. 

Station 250 in July 2024 as it neared completion. Behind the development is the Metra transit station.
Station 250 in July 2024. Google Streetview

ILLINOIS—Station 250 Brings New Urbanist Flair to Chicago Suburb 
Mary Salmonsen, Multifamily Dive | January 24, 2025 
Station 250, a new transit-oriented development in Mundelein, Illinois, is now leasing. The four-story building offers 166 units next to the Mundelein Metra station, which connects to Chicago. Built on a former Metra parking lot, the development supports Mundelein’s goal of a vibrant, walkable downtown. 

Congestion Relief Zone sign in midtown Manhattan that informs about the $9.00 Car Toll.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority | Wikimedia Commons 

NEW YORK—Congestion Relief Zone Is ALSO a Crash Relief Zone: Data 
Gersh Kuntzman, Streetsblog NYC | January 23, 2025 
Early data from Manhattan’s congestion pricing initiative shows reduced commute times and safer streets. City statistics report a 51 percent drop in injuries and a 55 percent drop in crashes during the first 12 days compared to the same period in 2024. With fewer vehicles and less congestion, crashes below 60th Street have declined, highlighting congestion pricing’s broad benefits. 


International TOD News

 Skytrain station in Vancouver, Canada surrounded by dense development.
SkyTrain station in Vancouver, Canada. Oleksandra | Adobe Stock

CANADA—How Developers Think About Parking in the Age of Transit-Oriented Development 
Howard Chai, Storeys | January 29, 2025 
British Columbia’s Bill 47, introduced in fall 2023, removed minimum parking requirements in transit-oriented areas. Aimed at reducing costs and supporting public transit, the bill has already influenced project planning, with developers balancing parking needs, EV infrastructure, and transportation demand. Developers have reported cost savings, along with an unexpected benefit: a significant reduction in carbon emissions from the reduced need for underground parking construction. 

Aerial view of Hobart, Australia on the island of Tasmania.
Hobart, Australia. Sam Gao | Flickr 

AUSTRALIA—Australia’s Sustainable Transport and Development Partnership 
Nidhi Dhull, AZO Build| January 28, 2025 
Researchers in Hobart, Australia studied to implement the City’s Sustainable Transport and Development Partnership (STDP) framework, which integrates TOD, public-private partnerships, and green building practices. Inspired by successful Australian projects like the Metro Tunnel Project, the STDP aims to help Hobart achieve its “30-minute city” vision by enhancing connectivity and sustainability. The study found that implementing the STDP would require improved transit infrastructure and increased public-private collaboration. 

New York compared to Philadelphia in maps that show population density and transit coverage. New York is denser in both population and rail than Philadelphia.
New York compared to Philadelphia. Courtesy of School of Cities 

Rail Transit & Population Density: Comparing and Ranking 250 Cities Around the World 
Aniket Kali and Jeff Allen, School of Cities | January 27, 2025 
A recent School of Cities study examined and ranked TOD prevalence across 250 global cities using metrics like population density and the percentage of the urban population living near transit stations. The study provided 250 interactive maps showing major rail transit lines and stations overlaid with population density. Hong Kong ranked first for having the highest ratio of TOD among global cities.