NJ TRANSIT provides value (right); New TOD in Wood-Ridge; CT Gov vetoes H.B 5002; CT selects New Haven TOD developer; Cable Car in Rwanda
Article of the Week
The Value of NJ TRANSIT
Staff, Regional Plan Association | June 24, 2025
The Regional Plan Association (RPA) published a report examining the value of NJ TRANSIT across five municipalities: Atlantic City, Bloomfield, Hackensack, Newark, and Union City. Overall, the transit agency provides $2.5 billion in value annually across just these five municipalities—returning close to $5 in value for every $1 spent on operations.
NJ TOD News
WESTFIELD—Wealthy NJ Town Wants to Add More Transit-Oriented Affordable Housing. It Might Never Happen.
Mike Hays, Gothamist | June 27, 2025
As New Jersey towns submit affordable housing plans, many proposed projects face uncertainty. In Westfield, the Town Council zoned sites near its rail station for future housing; however, the sites are occupied by businesses, with no set timeline for redevelopment. Fair Share Housing Center plans to review and challenge municipal plans unlikely to produce actual housing.
PERTH AMBOY—Governor Murphy, NJ TRANSIT, and State Officials Break Ground on Next Phase of New Raritan River Bridge
Press Release, Office of Governor Phil Murphy | June 24, 2025
Governor Phil Murphy and NJ TRANSIT celebrated the groundbreaking for the next phase of the new two-track Raritan River Bridge, which will feature a lift span allowing uninterrupted rail and marine traffic. Replacing the 117-year-old bridge damaged by Superstorm Sandy, the project will improve commute times and bolster resilience along the North Jersey Coast Line.
PRINCETON—On the Princeton Agenda: Affordable Housing Plan, Community Park Path, Hamilton Avenue Bikeway
Richard K. Rein, TAPinto Princeton | June 23, 2025
The Princeton Planning Board held public meetings to review its plan for meeting state-mandated affordable housing requirements, expanding the South Harrison Street bikeway, and pedestrianizing parts of Community Park South. The proposal focuses development in urbanized areas to preserve open space and aligns with the town’s Master Plan. The board must adopt and submit the plan by June 30 to avoid “builders’ remedy” lawsuits.
WOOD-RIDGE—JCMLiving Debuts 295 rentals at landmark Wesmont Station District in Wood-Ridge
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | June 19, 2025
JCMLiving unveiled the new 295-unit Rosera Wesmont, the final phase of the two-decades old, 150-acre Wesmont Station redevelopment project. The development offers access to over 17,000 sq. ft. of commercial space—3,000 of which is within Rosera Wesmont—and a NJ TRANSIT rail station, offering a 30-minute commute into Manhattan.
Transit and Equity News
NEW YORK—A New Rail Line May Come to New York. Will a Housing Boom Follow?
Stephanos Chen, The New York Times | June 26, 2025
NY Governor Kathy Hochul announced $2.75 billion in funding for the Interborough Express (IBX), covering half the cost for the proposed 14-mile light rail connecting Brooklyn and Queens. The project aims to decentralize the city’s transit system, cutting travel times between Jackson Heights and Bay Ride to under 40 minutes by bypassing Manhattan. Developers say the line could support 100,000 new homes, but some residents fear displacement.
NEW YORK—Governor Hochul Announces Start of Construction on 92-Unit Affordable Housing Development for Seniors in Yonkers
Press Release, State of New York | June 25, 2025
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the start of construction on Willow at The Ridgeway, a 92-unit affordable senior housing project in Yonkers supported by tax credits and state subsidies. Part of Hochul’s $25 billion plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes, the development repurposes a vacant site near Yonkers Station, promoting mobility for aging residents.
US Renters Face Storm of Rising Costs
Patrick Sisson, Bloomberg | June 24, 2025
Despite a recent surge in housing construction, the number of cost-burdened renters continues to rise—reaching a record-high 22.6 million in 2023. From 2012 to 2023, the number of rentals under $1,000 dropped 30 percent, while those over $2,000 tripled. Though low-income renters continue to be priced out, new housing has successfully driven rents down in sunbelt cities like Austin.
CONNECTICUT—Lamont Vetoes H.B. 5002 Housing Bill, Sets Local ‘Buy-In’ as Priority
Mark Pazniokas, CT Mirror | June 23, 2025
CT Governor Ned Lamont vetoed H.B 5002, a sweeping housing bill aimed at tackling the state’s affordability crisis through major zoning reform. Lamont argued the bill threatened local control and lacked municipal engagement measures. Supporters criticized the veto, calling the bill a vital step to address the state’s severe housing shortage, and warning that continued inaction will worsen the crisis.
ARIZONA—Habitat Metro Completes $20 Million Eco-Conscious Apartments in Phoenix
Mary Salmonsen, Multi Family Dive | June 20, 2025
Habitat Metro has completed construction on Eco Phoenix, a five-story, 70-unit apartment building with 3,300 sq. ft. of commercial space. The development is Phase 2 of Habitat Metro’s Eco series, which aims to incorporate sustainability and efficiency into building design. Eco Phoenix is located near Valley Metro light rail and offers rooftop solar panels—offsetting residents’ electric bills by up to 50 percent.
Regional and National TOD News
CONNECTICUT—Governor Lamont Announces Selection of Developer for Major Transit-Oriented Development at New Haven Station
Press Release, State of Connecticut | June 25, 2025
CT Governor Ned Lamont selected Gilbane Development Company to serve as lead developer for a new mixed-use community at New Haven’s Union Station. The project will feature two towers offering 470 total units—118 designated affordable—along with 28,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor commercial space. The development aims to revitalize vacant lots around the station and reconnect the downtown to transit.
FLORIDA—How a Housing Village Rising at a Hialeah Train Station Is Changing a Community
CD Goette-Luciak, Miami Herald | June 24, 2025
Construction has begun on Metro Station 1, a 55-unit residential building near Tri-Rail’s Metro Transfer Station in Hialeah. The development is part of “Metro District”, a new transit-oriented neighborhood aimed at attracting young residents as Miami rents soar. With seven residential projects underway, Hialeah’s Metro District is set to add around 3,000 new units to an area once dominated by single-family homes.
PENNSYLVANIA—SEPTA Puts Out Feelers for New Transit-Oriented Development
Staff, The Real Deal | June 20, 2025
SEPTA is seeking a developer to construct a mixed-use, transit-oriented development on a three-acre parking lot at Ambler station. With current zoning regulations, the site could offer up to 170 units and ground-floor retail. SEPTA officials report that several developers have expressed interest in the site, and the agency will likely make a decision by the end of 2025.
WASHINGTON—Council Roundup: Council Passes Wilburton Land Use Changes
Press Release, City of Bellevue| June 20, 2025
Bellevue has adopted a series of land use and zoning changes aimed at transforming the Wilburton transit-oriented development area into a vibrant and walkable mixed-use district. The ordinance changes include updates to building setbacks and street widths, mandatory affordable housing requirements, and new strategies to enhance pedestrian safety in line with the City’s Vision Zero policy.
NEW YORK—Mayor Adams Celebrates City Planning Commission’s Approval of Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan to Create Nearly 10,000 New Homes
Press Release, City of New York City | June 18, 2025
The New York City Planning Commission voted in favor of the Midtown South Mixed-Use (MSMX) Plan, a proposal to upzone 42 blocks of Midtown Manhattan. The initiative will enable the creation of 9,700 new transit-oriented homes as part of Mayor Adams’ vision to create 100,000 new housing units in Manhattan. The proposal now goes to the New York City Council for a public hearing and vote.
International TOD News
RWANDA—AfDB Backs $100M Project for Africa’s First Urban Cable Car in Kigali
Adekunle Agbetiloye, Business Insider | June 26, 2025
The African Development Bank has approved $500,000 for a feasibility study of Kigali’s $100 million Urban Cable Car Project, which aims to link key public sites, ease congestion, and improve job access in underserved communities. Expected to launch in 2028, the system will offer convenient, 15-minute end-to-end travel for over 50,000 riders daily.
SOUTH AFRICA—Commuters Are Caught in Johannesburg’s Taxi Feuds as Transit Lags
Zinhle Xaba, Bloomberg | June 24, 2025
Since the collapse of Johannesburg’s passenger rail during the pandemic, mini-bus taxis have become the dominant form of transit for millions, driving up commuter costs and exposing riders to violent turf wars. Efforts to rebuild rail systems like PRASA have stalled due to mismanagement, underfunding, and attacks by taxi associations. Most residents—particularly Black South Africans—remain trapped in an unreliable and risky system shaped by apartheid-era planning.
CANADA—Halifax Council Passes Plan to Prepare City for 1 Million People
Haley Ryan, CBC | June 20, 2025
Halifax City Council is overhauling its 2014 regional plan to address rapid population growth, citing estimates the city will reach one million residents by 2050. The updated strategy removes bedroom-unit limits and legalizes more diverse housing types to promote infill development and density near existing water, sewer, and transit infrastructure. While intended to preserve affordability, residents fear overdevelopment and environmental impacts.