NJ TRANSIT AWARDED FEDERAL GRANT TO STUDY TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT IN PATERSON
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Awards NJ TRANSIT $380,000 to Develop Plan to Increase Economic Opportunity and Improve Transit Access in Region
November 13, 2024
PATERSON, NJ – NJ TRANSIT has been selected to receive $380,000 in federal funds to create a transit-oriented development (TOD) master plan around Paterson station. This grant will support a study into how Paterson station can better serve residents and visitors by improving multi-modal transit connections and increasing diverse residential and commercial development 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.”
“This grant for NJ TRANSIT will allow Paterson to move closer to fulfilling a long-term goal of improving the location around the train station with a multi-modal approach that will spur new and exciting development,” said State Senator Nellie Pou. “The Paterson train station is strategically located to serve all the city’s residents as well as those who visit. This boost will fuel more study, as the city continues to explore transit-related business opportunities that hold much promise for the city’s future and that will also improve the lives of those who live and work here.”
“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 planning effort would explore the opportunities and potential impacts of TOD near the station. TOD would be evaluated as a tool for community revitalization through private and public sector collaboration and as a means to improve transit service as well as pedestrian, bike and multimodal connections. The TOD study will also seek to identify infrastructure needs outside the scope of the Paterson station improvements, including evaluating nearby station accessibility. This would include features like traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, signage and lighting. In addition, the study will assess the need for housing, commercial spaces and community amenities. NJ TRANSIT will partner with the City of Paterson and community engagement will be conducted throughout the planning process.
Paterson station is a stop on NJ TRANSIT’s Main Line commuter rail line. Paterson is New Jersey’s third largest city and the ninth most densely populated city of at least 50,000 residents in the United States. The city is located less than 20 miles from New York City and about 30,000 residents do not have access to a private vehicle according to the U.S. Census.
Last month, the FTA announced nearly $10.5 million in grants to support the development and preservation of affordable housing near public transit in communities across the country. NJ TRANSIT was just one of 11 of grant recipients in 10 states through the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning, which is funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
About NJ TRANSIT
NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 925,000 weekday trips on 263 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines and through Access Link paratransit service. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 166 rail stations, 62 light rail stations and more than 19,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.