New Brunswick housing pipeline grows (left); NJ governor candidates on the issues; Housing & the role of the street; ‘Work Live Ride’ returns to the CT legislature; Paris expands car-free streets (right top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
NEW BRUNSWICK—Filling the Pipeline: Developers Lining Up Plans for New Housing Projects in New Brunswick, Seeking to Meet Demand from Massive Commercial Investments
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | March 24, 2025
New Brunswick has approved 2,071 housing units since 2022, nearly doubling apartment construction from 2015-2023. Major projects, including HELIX Phase 2, located across the street from the New Brunswick Train Station, will break ground in 2025. City officials credit transit access, local policies, and academic institutions for the surge.
NJ TOD News
HOBOKEN—NJ Transit to Open Interim Bus Terminal as Part of Hoboken Connect Project
Staff, Mass Transit | March 28, 2025
NJ Transit has begun work on an interim bus terminal near Hoboken Terminal as part of the Hoboken Connect redevelopment, ensuring uninterrupted bus service during construction of a permanent facility at Hudson Place. The $900 million project includes restoring the ferry terminal’s second floor, enhancing flood resiliency in Warrington Plaza, and improving pedestrian and bicycle access. Hoboken Connect will introduce new office space, mixed-use housing, and transit upgrades, transforming the Hudson Waterfront into a more connected and resilient hub.
NEWARK—Luxury Rises Where Public Housing Once Stood: Carmel Towers’ Next Chapter in Newark
Darren Tobia, Jersey Digs | March 28, 2025
The redevelopment of Carmel Towers in Newark has converted the former public housing complex into Cosmo 440 offering 225 luxury apartments, with 10 percent of units designated as affordable housing. The $37 million renovation includes a 20-year tax abatement. While it is seen as part of Newark’s revitalization, some residents have raised concerns over the lack of truly affordable options.
RED BANK—Red Bank Planning Board Reviews Train Station Redevelopment and Marine Park Improvement Plan
E. Scott Wingerter, TAPinto Red Bank | March 27, 2025
The Red Bank Planning Board reviewed several key projects including the Red Bank Train Station Redevelopment Plan, which seeks to expand housing, retail, and public spaces. BFJ Planning presented the proposal. The board vote is set for April 9.
Where Do the Candidates for New Jersey Governor Stand on the Issues?
Tracey Tully, The New York Times | March 24, 2025
The New York Times surveyed gubernatorial candidates on housing, transit, and affordability. Proposals include shifting highway funds to transit, expanding transit-oriented development, and holding wealthy towns accountable for blocking development.
Transit and Equity News
HAWAII—City Expands Affordable Housing in ‘Ewa Beach with Kaleima’o Village
Press Release, City of Honolulu | March 25, 2025
The City of Honolulu announced it will develop Kaleima’o Village, a 127-unit affordable housing project on a 3.7-acre city-owned lot in ‘Ewa Beach. All units will be for residents earning 60 percent of Area Median Income or less. Near the Skyline Kualaka’I and Keone’ae stations, the project supports the city’s transit-oriented housing goals.
MICHIGAN—Ann Arbor Nonprofit’s Affordability Solution: Thousands of New Housing Units in Walkable Communities
Drew Saunders, Second Wave Media | March 25, 2025
Ann Arbor nonprofit EA2 has proposed 16 transit-oriented projects, which would add thousands of homes citywide. Development plans focus on Blake Transit Center, Ann Arbor’s Amtrak station, and the University of Michigan-adjacent sites.
For Housing, the Medium Is the Street
Robert Steuteville, CNU Public Square | March 19, 2025
Zoning reform alone won’t create affordable, walkable, transit-friendly communities—street networks matter, too. The shift from connected grids to dendritic layouts, where smaller streets feed into larger roads with limited connections, has fueled sprawl and car dependency. Reforming both zoning and street design is key to housing abundance and better urban living.
Regional and National TOD News
MASSACHUSETTS—South Coast Rail Service Begins Revenue Service in Massachusetts
Staff, Mass Transit | March 25, 2025
The MBTA launched its South Coast Rail service on March 25, restoring passenger rail service from southeastern Massachusetts to Boston for the first time in 65 years. The project extended existing rail lines, added new tracks, and built six commuter stations. Free weekend service runs until April 27.
NORTH CAROLINA—Huntersville Planning Board Approves Transit-Oriented Development in Preparation for Proposed Red Line
Shaquira Speaks, Queen City News | March 25, 2025
Huntersville planning officials voted to rezone nearly 22 acres for a 348-unit mixed-use development near a proposed Red Line station, allowing increased density. The Red Line, expected to be complete in 8-10 years, will provide commuter rail service to downtown Charlotte.
CONNECTICUT—‘Work Live Ride’ Is Back on the Legislature’s Docket. Here’s What to Know
Sam Hilton, CT Mirror | March 24, 2025
Reintroduced in Connecticut’s General Assembly, the Work, Live, Ride bill would prioritize communities with qualifying transit-oriented districts for infrastructure funding. After failing in the Senate last year, a revised version now includes transit-adjacent towns.
NEW YORK—MTA Sees Green With Congestion Pricing, As Tolls Bring in $100M During First 2 Months
Ramsey Khalifeh, Gothamist | March 24, 2025
The MTA recorded over $52 million in revenue during February, totaling $100M across the first two months. USDOT has set an April 21 deadline to end the toll after the agency circumvented the March deadline. Funds will support transit infrastructure and service improvements.
UTAH—Wood Partners Kicks Off Project in Utah
Vincentiu Fusea, Multi Housing News | March 24, 2025
Construction began on Alta Vista, a 304-unit project in Lehi’s new transit-oriented district. The development will include 100 townhomes, 400,000 sq. ft. of commercial and office space, and a future Trax light rail station. Completion is expected in late 2027.
International TOD News
FRANCE—Paris Votes to Make 500 More Streets Car-Free
Feargus O’Sullivan, Bloomberg | March 24, 2025
Paris residents voted with 66 percent approval to close 500 more city streets to cars and reduce parking by 10 percent. This initiative supports Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s goal to shift Paris from cars to public transit and active transportation. Since 2020, Paris has made 300 streets car-free.
SINGAPORE—Why Driving in Singapore Is Like ‘Wearing a Rolex’
Isabella Kwai and Nicholas Yong, The New York Times | March 24, 2025
In Singapore, car ownership is restricted by expensive permits, costing up to $84,000. This policy generated $4.86 billion in 2024, funding transportation infrastructure. Singapore’s expansive, efficient, and affordable public transportation system enables, and is supported by, this approach.
SOUTHEAST ASIA—Officials Unveil Historic $10 Billion Railway Linking 3 Countries: ‘A New Era in Regional Transportation’
Cassidy Lovell, The Cool Down | March 24, 2025
A high-speed train line linking Thailand, Laos, and China is under construction and set to be completed by 2030. Transit officials anticipate the $10 billion project will cut travel times, boost regional trade and tourism, and help reduce pollution. This will be the first high-speed rail line in Thailand and Laos.