GOV. SHERRILL TOUTS RED BANK TRAIN STATION PROJECT

Gov. Mikie Sherrill unveils her affordable housing plan in Atlantic City Tuesday. (Office of the Governor). Click to enlarge.)

By BRIAN DONOHUE

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill cited the proposed Red Bank train station redevelopment project as a model for the state as she unveiled her administration’s plan to boost construction and make housing more affordable Tuesday.

“New Jersey will tackle the housing affordability crisis with big ideas and bold action, Sherrill said during an address in Atlantic City. “Fundamentally, we’ll build more so families pay less.”

The NJ Transit parking lots, like the ones where NJ Transit and the Borough of Red Bank have tapped developer Denholtz to build up to 400 apartments, are just the kind of places the governor says are the best places to do it.

“New Jersey should build in the places where people want to live, on land that’s already developed, but underutilized,” Sherrill said. “Think empty strip malls and parking decks.”

Sherrill’s remarks came as she unveiled her administration’s plan to accelerate housing production and bring down costs at the Governor’s Conference on Housing and Economic Development. (See video of her remarks here.)

The plan aims to double housing production from 20,000 to 40,000 on state-owned land, introduce a ‘shot clock’ to ensure permit applications can move forward on clear timelines; and deploy a new tax credit auction to generate tens of millions for affordable housing. (Here’s a link to the full plan)

Sherrill also touted NJ Transit’s “Land Plan” which she said was launched last year to develop 20,000 new homes on the agency’s properties.

While she did not mention Red Bank in her address, her letter (and accompanying press release) introducing the plan specifically cited the Red Bank project as an example.

“We have already hit the ground sprinting,” the letter reads. “We advanced new developments near transit in Red Bank, Bayonne, and Linden under NJ TRANSIT’s effort to build more housing; launched a permitting dashboard with six housing projects representing more than 3,700 potential homes and cleared major permitting backlogs; opened a new pipeline of housing investment through the State’s tax-credit initiative; equipped 41 municipalities with hands-on development assistance; fully funded our homelessness response system for veterans; and cracked down on unfair practices that lead to egregious rent increases.”

train station redevelopment the rail north aerial view denholtz — **A 2025 rendering of the train station redevelopment project. This rendering does not reflect more recent changes to the design proposals.**

In its report, The Housing Governing Council commissioned by Sherrill found that New Jersey must build 350,000 additional homes to keep pace with growth, increase affordability, and remain competitive.

The Red Bank train station project is being developed in two stages. The first phase, The Rail at Red Bank North, is currently the subject of ongoing hearings before the Red Bank Planning Board.

If approved, Denholtz would construct 175 units of housing in a five-story building between Monmouth and Chestnut Streets.

Plans have not been submitted for the second phase, for lots and properties south of Chestnut Street, but the parameters have been set by the already approved Red Bank Train Station Redevelopment Plan.

redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.