Community Benefits

There are numerous economic and community benefits associated with the proposed North Brunswick Transit Village, the following are the highlights:

New Train Station

A proposed new train station is the catalyst for the North Brunswick Transit Village. Currently, the longest stretch on the Northeast Corridor Line without a train station lies between Princeton Jct. and New Brunswick. Building a new train station in North Brunswick will provide an extraordinary solution to commuters for much needed access to NJ TRANSIT and its network.

The idea of linking regional transportation to this redevelopment project and bringing a train station to North Brunswick has garnered enthusiastic support from area residents, as well as NJ TRANSIT and the NJ Department of Transportation.

A new train station will bring immeasurable benefits to all area residents as train stations have proven in other communities over the centuries.

Smart Growth & Open Space

A North Brunswick Transit Village adheres to the core principles of Smart Growth, by planning a mixed-use community with walkable neighborhoods, mass transit accessibility, sustainable economic and social development, and preserved green open space.

Most importantly, the footprint of redevelopment is approximate to the footprint of the existing development (former Johnson & Johnson facility). The proposed transit village maintains the existing open space, leaving nearly 50% of the 212-acres as open green space along Route 1.

Economic Benefits

Positive Tax Revenues
A North Brunswick Transit Village will significantly increase the municipal tax base and positively effect revenue flow for the Township of North Brunswick. This is known as a "positive ratable".

Over the past seven years, the property taxes have increased over 50% in North Brunswick Township. The transit village will provide an opportunity to reverse this trend by generating a profitable new tax ratable for the Township.

Presently, the existing development generates approximately $1.7 million annually in property taxes. When the proposed transit village is completed, it will have the ability to generate an estimated 15-to-20 times more tax revenue annually.

Limited Impact on Municipal Services
The transit village is designed and will be operated to be a self-sustaining community and to maintain many maintenance services independently. This will mean that the transit village would have limited impact on municipal services.

Minimal Affect on School Enrollment
A recent study by Rutgers University, has found that Transit-Oriented Developments (TOD) do not result in large numbers of additional school age children, and in fact produce far fewer school age children than developments with larger, single-family homes. When school revenue is compared to school costs in the proposed North Brunswick Transit Village, the result is a very substantial revenue surplus.

Creating Employment Opportunities
A transit village will afford local residents the access to greater employment opportunities outside North Brunswick via access by train and bus. Additionally, the mixed-use development will provide employment opportunities for area residents in its shops, restaurants, offices, hotel, and transportation center. It will be a unique and enjoyable work environment that will be easily accessible via mass transportation.

Positive Impact of Loft-Style Housing

New Jersey's housing costs are nearly the highest in the United States. A shortage of reasonably priced, compact, high-density housing has resulted in New Jersey's loss of jobs and wage growth. The Brookings Institution concluded that the number one issue for the future of New Jersey's economy is housing for young professionals who are the core employees of the state's largest employers.

According to the Brookings Institution Report, in order to sustain its competitive economy, the State must provide more housing choices that attract new workers to the industries where New Jersey is a leader, such as pharmaceutical, financial and high-tech.

A higher-density, walkable community will offer a wider range of housing types at more affordable prices. The loft-style housing will be an especially important housing option for young professionals beginning their careers or saving to buy a home. This housing option will also be appealing to empty nesters without children at home and senior citizens looking for a 24/7 downtown lifestyle.

The proposed type of loft-style housing will play a significant roll in promoting a vibrant neighborhood, with ongoing activity where people live, work, shop, dine, enjoy the arts, and spend time at the library. This dynamic will be the single most important key to the success of the transit village's long-term viability and sustainability.

Lifestyle & Community

A North Brunswick Transit Village will serve as the town center for North Brunswick Township, creating an authentic main street neighborhood and providing a sense of community for residents of all ages. It will become a focal point of the community - a gathering place for activities such as concerts, festivals, fireworks, town-wide events, and parades.

Walkable and bikable civic spaces will offer residents the opportunity to visit their public library, socialize in the plaza, relax in the park-like areas throughout the property, see a concert in the grass amphitheatre, and shop or grab a bite to eat at a sidewalk café.

A full-service hotel will service both business needs and residents by becoming a popular choice for special events, meetings and hosting out-of-town guests.

Traffic & Transportation Improvements

A North Brunswick train station and transit village redevelopment will be the catalyst to attract investment in transportation infrastructure funding, which will result in significant traffic improvements for roadways surrounding the property, specifically on Route 1 and Route 130.

Transportation infrastructure improvements will include a train station, highway improvements, traffic calming measures, overpasses, and pedestrian bridges. A transit village will improve existing traffic flow in North Brunswick as a result of New Jersey's investment in these types of construction improvement projects.

The NJ Department of Transportation is committed to working closely with communities who build Transit-Oriented Developments, and the proposed North Brunswick Transit Village meets all 14 points put forth by the NJ DOT Transit Village Initiative Program.