CA passes housing bill (left); Transforming Journal Square; Building denser in Madison, WI; Bailout for SEPTA; Zoning reform in NSW (right top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
CALIFORNIA—California Assembly Passes Senator Wiener’s Major Housing Bill SB 79
David Greenwald, Davis Vanguard | September 12, 2025
The California State Assembly has passed SB 79, a major housing bill to upzone all land within a quarter-mile of rail and major bus stations and allow transit agencies to build at higher densities on agency-owned land. The bill aims to increase housing density and expand smart growth, winning approval after affordability requirements were added. SB 79 now moves to the Governor’s desk for final approval.
NJ TOD News
NEWARK—EDA Approves $93 Million in Aspire, Historic Tax Credits to Convert Historic Newark Office Tower to Affordable Housing
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | September 11, 2025
NJEDA has approved $93 million in Aspire and other tax credits to transform a long-vacant building at 10 Park Place into a mixed-use development. The project will create 196 affordable apartments for low- and moderate-income renters along with 6,647 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail, steps from Military Park and Newark Light Rail.
JERSEY CITY—Target, Towers, and Transit: Journal Square’s Multi-Billion Dollar Transformation Unfolds
Chris Fry, Jersey Digs | September 10, 2025
Journal Square is undergoing a major transformation, with thousands of new units, retail, and public plazas rising around the transit hub and reshaping the neighborhood. Key projects include the 1,723-unit One Journal Square, the 605-unit 505 Summit, and the 542-unit Imperial Tower.
NEW BRUNSWICK—NJ Transit Station Getting a Vital Upgrade That Will Support This Growing N.J. City
Larry Higgs, NJ.com | September 10, 2025
A $71 million overhaul of the New Brunswick Station—NJ TRANSIT’s seventh busiest—is underway to add longer platforms, accessibility upgrades, and major interior renovations. The project comes as daily ridership of 4,000 is set to climb with the $750 million HELIX complex and multiple new residential and office towers reshaping downtown.
WESTFIELD—Last Lawsuit Delaying One Westfield Place Development Dismissed
David Sexton, TAPinto Westfield | September 10, 2025
The NJ Superior Court dismissed the final lawsuit blocking the One Westfield Place redevelopment, clearing the way for the project to move forward. The plan, which includes repurposing a vacant site and transit parking lots, will include 205 residential units, office and retail space, and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure improvements.
Governor Murphy Breaks Ground On New Jersey’s Rail-To-Trail Greenway Project
Max Gillespie, New York YIMBY | September 8, 2025
Governor Phil Murphy and other officials broke ground on the $69.2 million Greenway Project, which will convert 9 miles of former rail line into pedestrian and cycling paths. Spanning Jersey City to Montclair, the new state park will connect eight communities and join the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway network.
HOBOKEN—Judge Says Hoboken Luxury Building Can’t Rent Pricey Units Until They Add Affordable Ones
Mike Hayes, Gothamist | September 8, 2025
A Hudson County judge ruled that three luxury developments in Hoboken cannot lease more market-rate units until they comply with the city’s affordable housing ordinance, which requires buildings with more than 10 units to set aside 10 percent for low-income residents. The ruling will force the Vine, Park+Garden, and Artisan of Clinton to add 13, 21, and 6 affordable units, respectively.
Transit and Equity News
PENNSYLVANIA—Pittsburgh Regional Transit Asks State for $106.7 Million to Avoid Service Cuts
Ed Blazina, Pittsburgh Union Progress | September 12, 2025
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) seeks state approval to use $106.7 million in capital funds to avoid 35 percent service cuts, layoffs, and fare hikes slated for February. If approved, the move would preserve service for 2 years, though it risks delaying critical capital projects. SEPTA received similar funds earlier this week to prevent service cuts.
WISCONSIN—Madison Unveils Latest Efforts to Create More Housing
Press Release, City of Madison | September 9, 2025
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and the Common Council unveiled proposals to streamline permitting and construction for affordable housing across the city. Set to be introduced in October, the proposals include raising height allowances, adjustments to setback minimums, and allowing 2 ADUs in a detached building.
CALIFORNIA—Alameda County Rolls Out Program to Cut Red Tape From Affordable Housing Development
Kiley Russell, Bay City News | September 8, 2025
Alameda County released a Request for Proposal seeking an architectural firm to help implement its new SHIFT affordable housing pilot program. SHIFT aims to boost housing production by pre-permitting standardized designs, reducing barriers, and streamlining tax-credits for new affordable housing.
Regional and National TOD News
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA—Comstock CFO Discusses the Advantages of Investing in Transit-Oriented Developments in the D.C. Region
Jim Molis, Washington Business Journal | September 10, 2025
Comstock, a D.C.-based developer, has seen its shares surge 106 percent year-to-date, outpacing peers, by focusing on mixed-use, transit-oriented developments. The company now manages millions of square feet around Metro properties, with additional projects underway. This strategy has delivered a 21 percent return on equity versus 0 percent for peers and boosted operating profits by 45 percent compared to 4 percent.
NEW YORK—New York Says 17.6 Million Fewer Vehicles Have Entered Manhattan in 2025
David Shepardson, Reuters | September 9, 2025
MTA officials report that Manhattan has seen 17.6 million fewer vehicles since congestion pricing began in January, with crashes down 15 percent and bus and subway ridership up 13 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Revenue from the program will support debt financing and critical capital upgrades.
PENNSYLVANIA—Philadelphia Transit Hub Gets Funding Bailout to Reverse Cuts
Sri Taylor, Bloomberg | September 8, 2025
Governor Josh Shapiro facilitated a one-time cash transfer to SEPTA, restoring full rail and bus service after cuts caused by a $213 million budget deficit. The temporary fix will help SEPTA operate at full capacity for the next 2 years but does not prevent a 21.5 percent fare hike on September 14.
WASHINGTON—While Seattle Population Spikes, Car Population Stalls Out
Doug Trumm, The Urbanist | September 7, 2025
New census data shows Seattle added 35,000 households between 2017 and 2023 but only 3,300 cars, with overall car ownership down 10 percent and 1 in 5 households now car-free. Urbanists credit urban growth and transit expansion. However, city traffic engineers still use projections with rising vehicle volumes, driving the overbuilding of car-focused infrastructure.
International TOD News
CANADA—Sightline Properties Planning 4 Towers up to 45 Storeys Near Renfrew Station
Howard Chai, Storeys | September 9, 2025
Sightline Properties has proposed a four high-rise tower development totaling 1,959 residential units, with 20 percent below-market, plus retail, near Renfrew Station. The 3.06-acre project aligns with the city’s new Rupert and Renfrew Station Area Plan and Tier 2 transit-oriented designation. The City will review the proposal through a public consultation and Urban Design Panel process this November.
AUSTRALIA—Transport Oriented Development Set to Reshape Regional NSW Property Markets
Isaac Reville, Commercial Collective | September 8, 2025
Launched in mid-2024, the NSW Government’s TOD Program relaxed zoning rules within 400 meters of train stations to allow taller buildings and mixed-use projects. Aimed at easing housing costs and limiting sprawl, the policy is already drawing strong developer interest in suburbs like Tuggerah, Gosford, Newcastle, and Hamilton.
UNITED KINGDOM—London’s Housing Incentives Oversubscribed; City Seeks $9.5 Million Top-Up
Jack Moulton, The London Free Press | September 6, 2025
London City Hall has proposed an additional $9.5 million to its office-to-residential conversion and transit-oriented development incentive programs, which have been oversubscribed since launching. The programs, offering per-unit funding for converting offices, and building near major transit corridors, have already driven hundreds of new residential units.