Morristown among 7 municipalities to receive grant funding to revitalize areas around transit facilities
MORRISTOWN, NJ (Morris County) – The Murphy Administration Thursday announced $3.2 million in FY 2024 Transit Village grants to assist seven municipalities including Morristown advance development projects that will improve the quality-of-life in five counties.
“One of the best ways to reduce the effects of climate change is by improving public transportation to reduce our reliance on cars,” Governor Phil Murphy said. “The Transit Village program provides necessary funds to redevelop areas within walking distance of our transit facilities.”
“Initiatives like the Transit Village program ensures our entire transportation system is modern, accessible, and equitable, benefitting all New Jersey residents and visitors,” NJDOT Commissioner and NJ TRANSIT Chair Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said. “Transit Village grants help make eligible communities more livable by funding projects that promote economic growth near rail and bus stations.”
The Transit Village Program is a multi-agency smart growth initiative, in which municipalities that have transit facilities within their borders can seek to be designated as a Transit Village by developing plans for dense, mixed-use redevelopment that includes housing near their transit facility.
The facility can service commuter rail, bus, ferry, or light rail. The initiative creates incentives to revitalize areas around transit stations to create attractive, vibrant, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods where people can live, shop, work and play without relying on automobiles.
Traditionally, there is $1 million available each year for Transit Village grants. This year, an additional $20 million was appropriated for Grants-in-Aid programs, specifically for the Transit Village Program, the Safe Streets to Transit Program, and for Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities/Accommodations. Of the $20 million, $2.2 million was provided for the Transit Village Program.
There are 35 municipalities in the Transit Village program. Among the benefits of the Transit Village designation are coordination among the state agencies that make up the Transit Village Task Force, priority funding and technical assistance from some state agencies, and enhanced eligibility for grants. Each municipality with a Transit Village designation may submit one application for funding.
Applications must be for projects located within one-half mile of the transit facility. The projects are awarded on a competitive basis taking into consideration proximity to a transit facility, walkability, bicycling, project need and equity criteria to benefit low-income and minority populations.
Morristown will receive $296,000 to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection at King Street and Morris Street.
Click here to see a list of the seven municipalities receiving FY 2024 Transit Village grants totaling $3.2 million.
The Transit Village Program, as well as other Local Aid state-funded grant programs, benefits residents by enabling local governments to significantly reduce or eliminate reliance on local property tax dollars to support their projects.
