It Takes a Village; Dunellen Joins DOT Transit Program

The Borough of Dunellen has become the latest municipality accepted into the New Jersey Department of Transportation's statewide Transit Village program.  Acting Governor Kim Guadagno made the announcement today, making the borough the 26th to join the program which will work to revitalize the neighborhood near Dunellen's public transportation facilities.

"The Transit Village Initiative is a perfect example of the Christie Administration's commitment to spurring investment, revitalization and job creation in some of our hardest hit communities.  This program establishes partnerships with communities to help them carry out local redevelopment objectives, while building infrastructure and development in areas already connected by our transit network," said Guadagno.  "This designation gives us the opportunity to extend these benefits to the Dunellen community and encourage the use of public transportation in a way that makes sense in people's everyday lives."

The program provides participating towns with planning expertise and grant opportunities to redevelop land near train or other transit facilities in a way that promotes economic activity and the use of public transportation.  But, it also will include residential components.

"The Transit Village program promotes a desirable style of development that creates car-free opportunities for residents and visitors to walk to and from transit facilities and to and from local shopping, dining, employment and other destinations," said NJDOT Commissioner James Simpson.  "Transit Villages reduce roadway congestion, benefit the environment and heal create healthful, vibrant neighborhoods."

Aside from housing and mixed-use development, the Dunellen proposal includes plans to promote the use of bicycles as well.  "We have worked very hard to obtain this Transit Village designation because it will help Dunellen residents and businesses build on the momentum we have created to reinvent our downtown business district," said Dunellen Mayor Robert Seader.

The Borough has identified three parcels of land, totaling 23.5 acres for redevelopment near its NJ Transit Raritan Valley Line train station.  More information about the Transit Village program is available online at the NJDOT website.