RESGroup was part of consultant team engaged by New Jersey Transit (“NJT”) through a multi-phase on call contract to analyze development opportunities to promote transit friendly and sustainable land use and development along the 21-mile Route 9 bus corridor. NJT received a grant from the Federal Transit Administration to develop a comprehensive TOD study along Route 9 in Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. Route 9 Bus Service is one of the most highly used bus corridors in the nation, transporting commuters between central New Jersey and Manhattan, Jersey City, and Newark. The objectives were to identify which of the 16 stops along Route 9 have the greatest potential for TOD including NJT-owned land as well as privately-owned parcels.
The first phase of work focused on analyzing market demand and supply of land uses in the six municipalities (Old Bridge, Marlboro, Manalapan, Freehold, and Howell Townships, and the Borough of Freehold) to determine the uses that were most likely to attract private sector development interest. Land uses considered included market rate and affordable residential, retail, hotel, healthcare, and office space. Economic, demographic, and real estate data was obtained and analyzed, and interviews with developers and local officials were conducted to better understand historic and anticipated demand trends. Underutilized sites such as the malls in Freehold and Old Bridge were considered soft sites as well as commuter parking lots and underdeveloped sites within a half mile of each station.
The second phase of work focused on identifying the most viable locations for TOD through evaluation criteria that included market strength, potential developable land, accessibility, compatibility with the local governmental policy and zoning, community support, availability of financial incentives, and other factors. This phase also considered constraints for TODs that must be addressed before moving forward. Community outreach included virtual open houses to obtain feedback from local residents and stakeholders.
The study and supporting analysis provides NJT with a strategy for achieving new TOD projects at the selected Bus stop locations along the Route 9 Corridor. It helps identify the need for improved infrastructure (bus shelters, sidewalks, crosswalks, etc.) to safely provide pedestrian-, bike-, car, and bus access, increase ridership, and maximize the value of the development sites.
