Gov. Christie has put transitional aid to cities, accompanied by oversight mechanisms, back in the budget, but has said he wants to wean cities off this aid. Given a half-century of disinvestment in urban areas, that may not be possible as soon as he would like. Until cities’ property tax bases reverse their decline, state aid will still be needed to deliver critical services.
Redevelopment
New Jersey Cities Breathe Sigh of Relief
Tuesday, July 19th, 2011Revision to Land Use Law Advances Smart Growth
Thursday, July 7th, 2011Gov. Chris Christie has signed legislation that updates the Municipal Land Use Law to make municipal “General Development Plan” (GDP) approvals and other longer-term approvals available to higher-density projects, including those with a mix of uses.
Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Spurs Development Interest in Newark
Tuesday, June 7th, 2011Newark has a lot going for it these days. Aside from sitting at the confluence of some of the most valuable transportation infrastructure in the nation (I-95, Newark Liberty International Airport, Port Newark, the Northeast Rail Corridor), New Jersey’s largest […]
New Jersey Future Announces 10th Anniversary Smart Growth Award-Winners
Friday, June 3rd, 2011A diverse group of innovative development and redevelopment projects located in cities, towns and townships across New Jersey will be honored with Smart Growth Awards from New Jersey Future as part of the 10th Anniversary awards celebration and retrospective.
NJDOT Commissioner: $1 Million for Transit Villages Not Enough, So We Made It Zero
Tuesday, May 17th, 2011Contrary to appearances, the NJDOT really likes the Transit Village program, and its aim of producing more transit-oriented development. But the $1 million in funding the program received paled in comparison to the need, so we decided to eliminate the funding altogether.
Light Rail Extension to Support TOD in Jersey City
Friday, May 13th, 2011The NJ Transit Board of Directors approved a plan to extend the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line across Route 440 in Jersey City to the city’s western waterfront along the Hackensack River.
Why NJ Should Tie Business Incentives to Smart Growth
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011New Jersey is poised to hand out $137 million in tax credits to two companies — Panasonic Corp. and Bayer HealthCare — that recently announced plans to relocate their headquarters in the Garden State.
NJ Towns to Compete in New Reality Show: “Ratable Wars”
Friday, April 1st, 2011With local budgets feeling the pinch of the recession, and the newly imposed two percent property tax cap looming, municipalities across the Garden State are struggling to make ends meet.
A Bleak Recent Past, a Brighter Future Ahead
Thursday, March 31st, 2011Experts paint a picture of the Garden State in transition — from a manufacturing and construction-based economy to a services-based economy, from a state in deep recession to a state in slow recovery, from a Baby Boomer-induced growth pattern of suburban sprawl to a Generation Y-inspired comeback for compact, walkable communities.
2011 Redevelopment Forum SUCCESS!
Wednesday, March 16th, 2011The 2011 Redevelopment Forum was a huge success! Thank you again to our generous title sponsors: Special thanks to the luncheon & keynote speaker sponsor: Our tote bags and audio visuals were generously provided by: Beverages made possible by the […]