NJ TRANSIT was recently selected to receive $380,000 in federal funds to construct a transit-oriented development (TOD) master plan around Paterson station. The grant will be used to help NJ TRANSIT look into how Paterson station can help serve residents better and improve transit connections for guests in the area.
“NJ TRANSIT is grateful to the FTA for this federal grant award, which will allow us to support both economic development and improved mobility in the greater Paterson area, anchored by our Paterson station” said NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett. “This TOD study strengthens our commitment to maximizing access to public transit for all New Jerseyans.”
The planning would explore the opportunities and impacts that would come from TOD near the station. TOD would be used to boost community revitalization through private and public sector collaboration, as well as a way to improve transit service.
The TOD will also look to identify infrastructure needs outside of Paterson station, including looking at the accessibility of nearby stations. Some of the features that could be added would be traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, signage and lighting. Throughout the study, NJ TRANSIT will be partnering with the City of Paterson to conduct community engagement throughout the entirety of the planning process.
Paterson station is a stop on NJ TRANSIT’s Main Line commuter rail line. One of the most populated cities in the Garden State with over 150,000 residents, Paterson is home to an abundance of people and its proximity to New York City leads to even more traffic.
“Paterson is in growth mode. In the six years that I have been in office, we have attracted over $1 billion of investment in our city,” said Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh. “We have been looking to leverage the economic potential of our train station and this transit-oriented development grant will move us closer to making our vision manifest. We are profoundly grateful for this award.”
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced roughly $10.5 million in grants to aid in the development of affordable housing near public transit in areas across the country. NJ TRANSIT was one of only 11 grant recipients across 10 states in the Pilot Program for TOD Planning.