MBTA Communities Act upheld (right) • Hudson County BRT plans • Affordable TOD in Arizona • St. Paul BRT upzoning • Jakarta transit hub high-rises (left top-to-bottom)
Article of the Week
MASSACHUSETTS—Marshfield Loses Appeal Against MBTA Communities Act
Flint McColgan, Boston Herald | September 18, 2026
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the MBTA Communities Act, ruling that it is constitutional, and that towns cannot use local zoning authority to bypass statewide housing requirements. The court also rejected a claim that the Act imposes an unfunded mandate, finding insufficient evidence beyond incidental administrative fees. Since 2021, the Act has contributed to the construction of more than 10,000 homes.
NJ TOD News
HUDSON COUNTY—Here’s When the $250M Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Upgrade Work Will Begin
Larry Higgs, NJ.com | September 17, 2026
NJ TRANSIT CEO Kris Kolluri announced that the agency will unveil a $250 million Hudson-Bergen Light Rail capital plan in November. The plan will include station elevator upgrades following mechanical challenges in recent years. Advocates have also called for 10-minute headways, 24-hour service, and a Bergen County extension.
EAST RUTHERFORD—Vango Launches Leasing at 86-Unit East Rutherford Rental Project
Joshua Burd, Real Estate NJ | September 16, 2026
Vango Development has launched leasing at Parker East, an 86-unit market-rate rental project less than a quarter mile from NJ TRANSIT’s Rutherford Station. The project offers one- and two-bedroom units.
HUDSON COUNTY—N.J. Never Had a True Bus Rapid Transit. That Could Change for a County That Desperately Needs It.
Larry Higgs, NJ.com | September 15, 2026
Hudson County will hold a September 23 public meeting on its $150,000 Bus Rapid Transit study for an 11-mile stretch of JFK Boulevard between Bayonne and Jersey City. Officials are considering dedicated bus lanes, consolidated stops, and prepaid boarding to speed transit along the corridor.
PLAINFIELD—Plainfield Development Site Trades with Approvals for 68 Apartments, Marcus Says
Marlaina Cockcroft, Real Estate NJ | September 14, 2026
A developer has acquired a half-acre downtown Plainfield site approved for a 68-unit apartment building with ground-floor commercial space. The project, located near Plainfield Station, received planning board approval in April under the East Third and Richmond Redevelopment Plan.
JERSEY CITY—Parking Lots in N.J. City Could Be Converted into 700 Homes Under New Development Plan
Lia Opperman, NJ.com | September 11, 2026
The Jersey City Planning Board recommended designating county-owned parking lots near Journal Square for redevelopment. The proposal could support the construction of up to 700 homes, including more than 200 permanently affordable units. The City Council must approve the designation.
Transit and Equity News
NEW MEXICO—Uptown Connect Secures More Than $30 Million in New Funding
Press Release, City of Albuquerque | September 17, 2026
Uptown Connect, a planned transit-oriented development in uptown Albuquerque, has secured over $30 million in new funding. The project will include 176 mixed-rate units near ABQ Ride bus service.
How YIGBY Can Unlock Millions of Acres for Housing
Eric Cova, Smart Growth America | September 16, 2026
YIGBY (Yes in God’s Backyard) could help communities turn underutilized faith-owned land into affordable housing, with the potential to create up to 800,000 new homes nationwide. Zoning barriers and high development costs currently limit this type of housing in many communities. A Boise church parking lot provides an example of how faith-owned land can be converted to affordable housing.
MARYLAND—MDOT MTA to Start RAISE East-West Transit Priority Project Construction Oct. 6
Noah Kolenda, Mass Transit | September 15, 2026
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) will start construction on the $50 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) East-West Transit Priority Project. The project will upgrade a 20-mile stretch of Baltimore’s CityLink Blue and Orange bus corridors with transit-signal priority, dedicated bus lanes, safer crosswalks, and better bike connections to the West Baltimore MARC station.
Regional and National TOD News
HAWAII—Hawai’i’s $300,000 Transit-Oriented Development Trip Should Go to Japan
Sterling Higa, Aloha State Daily | September 14, 2026
State lawmakers set aside $300,000 for a trip focused on studying a successful example of transit-oriented development to help address low ridership on the new Skyline rail service. In this op-ed, Sterling Higa supports studying Japan due to its highly successful integration of transit and land use policy and similarities to Hawaii.
MINNESOTA—Saint Paul Officials Consider Zoning Changes on Bus Rapid Transit Routes
Jane McClure, My Villager | September 14, 2026
Saint Paul will hold multiple community workshops on rezoning segments of Selby Avenue and West Seventh/Randolph Avenue to Traditional Neighborhood (T) zoning. The changes would allow denser mixed-use development along existing and future Bus Rapid Transit corridors, including the B Line and upcoming J Line.
TEXAS—‘There Is So Much Potential’: Residents Offer Ideas for Transit-Oriented Developments Near Rail Stations
Eric Garcia, Fort Worth Report | September 14, 2026
Trinity Metro is holding public input sessions for development plans around the future Near Southside/Medical District TexRAIL station, expected to open in 2029. Residents have called for walkable trails, housing, shops, and restaurants. Building on the success of Grapevine Station, Trinity Metro is also planning redevelopment efforts around the North Side and Mercantile Center stations.
International TOD News
INDONESIA—Prabowo Pledges Affordable Housing Towers at Jakarta Transit Hub
Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta Globe | September 16, 2026
Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto announced plans for affordable, high-rise housing at Manggarai Station, Jakarta’s busiest transit hub. The state-owned railway operator Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) recently broke ground on eight 24-story towers with 3,784 apartments and 150 retail spaces. Manggarai handles 162,000 daily passengers across LRT, commuter rail, and airport rail lines.
SOUTH KOREA—Nowon-gu Breaks Ground on 263-Unit Long-Term Jeonse Housing Near Gwangwoon University Station
Park Jong-il, The Herald Business | September 16, 2026
Nowon-gu broke ground on a 263-unit housing project near Gwangwoon University Station. Of the 263 units, 75 will be designated as public rental housing. The project is part of the broader Gwangwoon University Station TOD initiative, which aims to improve the area’s residential environment.
MALAYSIA—Covered Walkways Now Mandatory Under TOD
Lo Tern Chern, The Star | September 15, 2026
The Penang Island City Council approved a mandate requiring covered walkways and pedestrian links to transit stations at certain transit-oriented developments. The measure aims to improve pedestrian connectivity and public access while allowing greater density.