The New Jersey Transit's Secaucus commuter rail station is the topic of scorn by a New York Times editorial because it doesn't provide commuter parking - even though it was designed as a 'transfer station'.
"Why spend $450 million to build a commuter railroad station when commuters are, in effect, barred from using it? The answer from New Jersey Transit, which operates the station, is no answer at all. A parking facility, the agency claims, would simply draw more cars to an area already clogged with traffic"
The rail station, opened in 2003, is the first stop in New Jersey for most NJ Transit trains leaving NYC's Penn Station.
"There is no place for commuters to park their cars within miles of the station, which was intended as a transfer station only."
"The end to this absurdity may be within reach. Edison Properties, a realty firm, has bought a tract of land within easy walking distance of the station and plans to open a parking lot for 1,100 cars next spring. And the new leaders of New Jersey Transit have not only given the venture their blessing, but plan to install ticket vending machines at the site.
There is a downside. With space for only 1,100 cars, the lot is likely to be filled by dawn. With luck, that will cause New Jersey Transit to have a second awakening and provide hundreds of parking spaces of its own."
FULL STORY: Editorial: The Big Station That Couldn’t
The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall
The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.
The Paradox of American Housing
How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.
Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities
The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.
Boston Moves Zoning Reform Forward
The ‘Squares + Streets’ plan creates form-based zoning templates for neighborhoods that promote mixed use and denser housing near transit.
Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan
Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.
How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities
Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.
City of Yakima
City of Auburn
Baylands Development Inc.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.