Thailand’s first TOD (top left); EWR Station Access Project (top right); MBTA Communities Zoning Law (bottom left); NYC’s outdated zoning (bottom right)
Article of the Week
NEWARK—New Rail Station to Be Built Ahead of Delayed PATH Newark Airport Extension
Larry Higgs, NJ.com, Mar 14 2023
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has authorized $12 million for the EWR Station Access Project in South Ward of Newark. The project aims to provide direct access to Newark Airport and New York City, in part to support economic development and job creation. Preliminary design and planning are necessary before station construction can take place.
NJ TOD News
EAST RUTHERFORD—Activists Urge NJ Transit to Scrap Plan for Natural Gas Plant in Meadowlands
Melissa Rose Cooper, NJ Spotlight News, Mar 14 2023
Environmental groups protested NJ TRANSIT’s proposed natural gas plant in the Meadowlands, urging the agency to redevelop the project with renewable energy. Short of scrapping plans entirely, NJ TRANSIT has committed to maximizing clean energy components, with the intention of providing uninterrupted power to parts of the state’s rail network.
Biden Seeks $700M in Budget for Gateway Tunnels as Confidence in Project Grows
Colleen Wilson, northjersey.com, Mar 9 2023
The Biden administration has approved $700 million for the $16.1 billion Hudson River tunnels project, signaling confidence in the Gateway Development Commission’s work. New York and New Jersey have both committed funds and the grant agreement is expected by spring 2024. The project will support smoother travel between the states and could spur more transit-oriented development near transit facilities.
Transit and Equity News
NEW YORK—Transit-Rich NYC Neighborhoods Wasted on Outdated Zoning, Building Congress Claims
Mark Hallum, Commercial Observer, Mar 14 2023
The New York Building Congress has proposed legislation to aid potential transit-oriented development throughout the city. This proposal calls for the elimination of the floor-to-area ratio cap and ending parking and C8 zoning requirements. If enacted, the legislation could help support increased housing options.
TEXAS—Council Moves to Ensure People Actually Live Near Project Connect Stations
Austin Sanders, The Austin Chronicle, Mar 10 2023
The City of Austin has unanimously adopted an Equitable Transit Oriented Development policy to enhance accessibility to their transit system. Planning is underway at North Lamar and South Congress transit centers, with city staff, Capital Metro, and Austin Transit Partnership developing detailed plans for Council to approve.
Regional and National TOD News
MASSACHUSETTS—AG Campbell Issues Advisory on Requirements of MBTA Communities Zoning Law
Staff Writer, City of Boston MA, Mar 15 2023
Massachusetts Attorney General Campbell issued an advisory reaffirming the MBTA Communities Zoning Law, a mandate to increase affordable, transit-oriented housing near MBTA stations as part of the Commonwealth’s effort to address the housing crisis. The law requires reasonable levels of multifamily housing as of right, with restrictions preventing interference of family-suitable housing, and resources are available to help MBTA communities come into compliance.
UTAH—C.W. Urban Breaks Ground on Opportunity Zone Site for the Development of theYARD in Salt Lake City
Staff Writer, Utah Business, Mar 15 2023
C.W. Urban has begun construction of theYARD, a 157-unit build-to-rent townhome community near the Fairpark TRAX station in Salt Lake City. The transit-oriented development will comprise two- and three-bedroom townhomes and landscaped greenways. Completion is scheduled for spring 2024.
Car-Free Living Takes Off in Car-Centric Cities
Patrick Sisson, CityLab, Mar 14 2023
Car-free developments are increasingly gaining traction in the US including transit-oriented projects like Culdesac in Tempe, AZ, and The Joinery in Charlotte, NC, offering lower rents to residents. A study by Smart Growth America found that “walkable urbanism,” such as these kinds of projects, account for 19.1 percent of US GDP while occupying only 1.2 percent of land and housing 6.8 percent of the population.
NORTH CAROLINA—The Church of Urban Transformation
Robert Steuteville, Public Square, Mar 13 2023
Two projects by faith institutions represent a growing number of developments that align the needs of these communities with the tenets of transit-oriented development and mixed-use site planning. In Charlotte, NC, the Park Church seeks to develop 33 acres it owns near a proposed light rail stop, while in Pike Road, AL, the Century Church is working with professionals from the Charter of the New Urbanism (CNU) to develop a new urban community called The Waters. Both projects focus on incremental growth and community-oriented partnerships.
International TOD News
THAILAND—SRT on Right Track to Lead Thailand’s Green Recovery
Bob Scott, Thaiger, Mar 17 2023
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has announced plans to redevelop 148 rais (58.5 acres) around the Thon Buri Railway Station in what would be the nation’s first transit-oriented development project. In several phases over the next 20 years, plans for the area in south Bangkok call for the development of a regional medical district and expansion of Siriraj Hospital, a project partner, as well as new housing, a park, and pedestrian infrastructure within the site and connecting to the station.
INDIA—Coming Soon: Live-Work-Play Clusters in Bengaluru’s Tech Corridors, Residential Areas
Christin Mathew Philip, MoneyControl, Mar 14 2023
The government of Karnataka has adopted an action plan designed to grow the state’s economy to $1 trillion by 2032. The plan calls for the implementation of transit-oriented development in Bengaluru and supports two new bus routes, extending two Metro routes, and increasing floors area ratios by transit corridors.