Welcome to “What We Are Reading.” Here, we present some recent news and notes on transit-oriented development trends here in New Jersey, in the nation, and internationally.
New Jersey TOD News
Woodbridge adds two more redevelopment zones
By Kenny Walter, August 20, 2015, The Sentinel
In an effort to promote development near the Woodbridge Station, Woodbridge Township has expanded its downtown redevelopment zone
Somerville: ‘All roads’ lead to this diverse community
August 14, 2015, NJ.com
Profile of Borough of Somerville, a NJ Transit Village.
New development is vote of confidence in Somerville
By Mike Deak, August 3, 2015, MyCentralJersey.com
DeSapio Properties seeks approval for Somerville Commons, a 90,537 square foot mixed-use building to be sited at the corner of East Main and Warren Streets. Somerville Commons would combine first-floor retail with office and residential uses. This project would be DeSapio’s fourth project in Somerville.
Also see: What’s going on in Downtown Somerville
Rutherford, N.J., Quiet Outpost Beyond the Tunnel
By Mary Jo Patterson, July 29, 2015, The New York Times
Profile of the Bergen County community, one of NJ’s Transit Villages.
Will the Gateway tunnel ever happen? Amtrak has bet $300 million that it will
By Andrew J. Hawkins, July 9, 2015, Crain’s New York Business
Exploring Amtrak’s effort to improve rail connections between New Jersey and New York City.
N.J. names 30th transit village, town calls designation ‘tremendous’
By Jessica Mazzola, July 8, 2015, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
NJ Department of Transportation designated Irvington Township a NJ Transit Village. Redevelopment efforts are focused on the area around the Irvington Bus Terminal.
Park Ridge Named as NJ Transit Village
July 8, 2015, The Bergen Dispatch
Bergen County’s Park Ridge is one of the two municipalities recently designated by the New Jersey Transit Village Initiative. Park Ridge Station is on the Pascack Valley Line.
Also see Park Ridge earns ‘Transit Village’ status
Proposed settlement to boost housing in Haddon Twp.
By Phaedra Trethan, The Courier-Post, June 23, 2015
Adjacent to PATCO’s Westmont Station, redevelopment of the Dy-Dee Diaper Service property moves closer to achieving planning board approvals. First proposed in 2002, the project would bring 252 rental units and 12,500 square feet of retail space to the site.
National TOD News
Transit-Oriented Spec Plays Well in Owings Mills Too
By Erika Morphy, GlobeSt.com, August 27, 2015
Speculative office development, now rare in most locations, finds a foothold in places well-served by transit. (Requires free registration to access article.)
Viewpoints: Why Mixed-Use Matters
By Jack Honderd, The Brookhaven Post (Atlanta), August 27, 2015
A concise description of mixed-use development, why it fell out of favor, and what benefits can be gained through this form of development.
Walkable Downtowns Drawing Companies and Talent
By Peter Slavin, UrbanLand, July 1, 2015
Recent study by Cushman & Wakefield and the Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis at George Washington University finds the urban workplaces are preferred over suburban locations.
Making Downtowns What They Used to Be
By Emil Malizia and David A. Stebbins, UrbanLand, June 26, 2015
The most vibrant centers are diverse and connected public places, served by public transit – so concludes a number of scholars examining ways to activate urban centers. Ideas explored include the promotion of various forms of higher-density housing, the role of public space, and pre-qualifying real estate developers experienced in urban redevelopment.