New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Wednesday announced a coordinated, multi-agency effort to expand housing affordability across New Jersey, releasing two separate requests for proposals (RFPs) to build new transit-oriented housing on state-owned land.
The initiatives, launched jointly by NJ TRANSIT and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), are early actions driven by Sherrill’s Executive Order 17 which mandates a “whole-of-government” approach to accelerating housing production and lowering living costs for Garden State families.
“New Jersey has not built enough housing to keep pace with the needs of our growing state, and families are paying the price,” the governor said in a release. “Today’s announcements show that my administration is not waiting around for a report to take action. Before the ink is even dry on responses to my housing executive order, I am pleased to see agencies taking clear and decisive steps toward building more housing.”
Transforming real estate in Bayonne
In Bayonne, NJ TRANSIT is seeking a development partner to transform a 4.3-acre parcel directly south of the Bayonne-34th Street Station along the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR).
The project will replace two existing surface parking lots with a vibrant, mixed-use community. The chosen developer will be required to set aside a minimum of 20% of the newly constructed apartments as affordable housing for low- and moderate-income residents. Beyond housing, NJ TRANSIT’s goals for the site include pedestrian-friendly ground-floor retail, commuter parking, bus connections, micromobility enhancements, and streetscape improvements.
The initiative aligns with “The LAND Plan” (Leveraging Assets for Non-farebox Dollars), NJ TRANSIT’s strategy to generate up to $1.9 billion in non-farebox revenue over the next 30 years by activating portions of its 8,000-acre real estate portfolio.
Interested developers must submit a Notice of Intent by Aug. 18, with final proposals due on Sept. 23.
Revitalizing downtown Linden
Furthering the state’s housing push, the NJEDA has issued a Request for Qualifications and Proposals (RFQP) to redevelop a commuter parking lot at the Linden Train Station into a transit-oriented housing community.
The property, located at 101 West Elizabeth Avenue, sits along the Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coastlines. The NJEDA acquired the land specifically to transform it into a walkable, mixed-use development that complements local downtown revitalization efforts, including the nearby “One West” development.
Proposals for the Linden site are expected to incorporate energy-efficient designs, resident and commuter parking, and enhanced pedestrian connectivity to the transit platform. Developers must submit their proposals by Sept. 28.
“Meeting New Jersey’s housing needs will require collaboration, innovation and a commitment to making the most of our public assets,” Senate President Nick Scutari said, highlighting the state-local coordination backing the project.
Both initiatives represent a crucial step forward in utilizing New Jersey’s vast transit network to anchor new, sustainable communities while easing the financial burden on working-class residents.
