New Jersey Transit Village Program Continues to Grow

Image: Town of Somerville

The holy grail for many urbanists contemplating long-term
development and growth trends is the transit village. Adding growth
adjacent to functional transit has the benefit of making it easier for
the new population there to drive less and use transit for a multitude
of trips. Likewise, transit villages can add to ridership on the
transit lines, no small matter for operators seeking to maintain a
consistent customer base.

Mobilizing the Region (MTR) reports New Jersey has added
its 21st and 22nd transit villages in Somerville and Montclair. By
designating the developments there as transit villages, Somerville and
Montclair will get $100,000 planning and technical assistance grants
and will move to the front of the line for other state grants the towns
may seek.

The newly designated communities are each implementing
transit-oriented development in their own way. Montclair is looking to
develop around the Bay Street station by adding a commuter parking
deck, seven residential developments with 163 units, a municipal fire
station headquarters and a day care center. Somerville’s redevelopment
efforts include plans to build a performing arts center, residential
housing and parking decks near its station, and transform 40 acres of
remediated landfill into recreation space with bike and foot trails and
fields for residents.

The new grants also got the state’s chief executive on the record
touting transit-oriented development. “The Transit Village program
encourages local officials to surround nearby transit facilities with a
vibrant mix of residential, retail and commercial uses,” said New
Jersey Governor Chris Christie in a statement. “This type of
development spurs sustainable economic growth, maximizes the value of
our transit investments and benefits the environment.”