Together 202: A Community Building Corridor
___________________________________
A Local Demonstration Project for Together North Jersey
Somerset County
Bridgewater Township, Somerville Borough, Raritan Borough, Branchburg
Township
Hunterdon County
Readington Township, Raritan Township, Flemington Borough
Public Workshop #1
January 23, 2013
Welcome and Introductions
What is Together North Jersey?
• A planning initiative currently underway in the 13-county North Jersey Transportation
Planning Authority region of New Jersey
• In November 2011, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
awarded Together North Jersey a $5 million grant to develop a Regional Plan for
Sustainable Development (RPSD)
• Create a comprehensive and balanced plan that invests in the region’s existing
communities where housing, jobs, educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities
are made more easily accessible to most residents without having to drive to them
What are Local Demonstration Projects?
• The LDP is intended to provide technical assistance to local partners throughout
Northern New Jersey to undertake strategic planning activities promoting sustainable
and livable, transit-oriented development and advance the broader goals of the RPSD
• Potential LDP projects include a variety of local planning activities to make transit
corridors and communities more livable
Route 202 Study Area
Scope
This project proposes to:
• Foster a working and collaborative network of interested citizens,
residents, business owners, property owners, advocates and
stakeholders living in the targeted communities participate in the
process and support project actions and outcomes
• Develop a deep understanding of the Route 202 Corridor, including
demographic, land use, transportation and market trend analyses to
understand the opportunities for growth and connectivity along the
corridor
• Develop a stakeholder-driven vision for the corridor that identifies
opportunities and provides recommended strategies that link land
use to business development, redevelopment and transportation
enhancements
Scope
Phase I: Research & Analysis – Where are we now? Where are we headed?
• Review of Master Plans, Studies and Reports
• Demographic/economic profiles
• Corridor Tour
Phase II: Outreach & Ideas - Where do we want to go?
• Focus Groups (Mayors, Transportation, Business)
• Community Workshops
Phase III: Implementation Strategies - How do we get there?
• Corridor Vision Plan
Timeline: October 2012 through April 2013
Project Team, Steering Committee and Schedule
-
Project Team:
• Regional Plan Association
• The Williams Group
• Arup
• Level G Associates
-
Steering Committee:
• Somerset County
• NORWESCAP
• Somerset County Business Partnership
• Hunterdon County Chamber of
Commerce
• Raritan Valley Community College
• HART TMA
• Ridewise TMA
• Flemington Borough
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Trans-Bridge Bus
Hunterdon County
Bridgewater Township
Somerville Borough
Raritan Borough
Branchburg Township
Readington Township
Raritan Township
NJTPA
Meeting Purpose
Where are we now? Where are we headed?
-
Kickoff Meeting, Oct 2012:
• Municipalities, counties, and several organizations
• “Dotmocracy” exercise to identify priorities
• Mapping exercise to pinpoint transit and land use issues along the corridor
• Discussion underscored how the region is losing its competitive edge due to the
combination of expense of business, dispersed growth patterns, lack of targeted
amenities, and transportation options not linked to land uses
Where
are we
now? Where are we headed?
ROUTE
202
Getting Places
Expanding Economic
Opportunities
Connect workers, residents and
employees to key employment and
commercial destinations through
enhanced transit
Make recommendations for existing
businesses to capitalize on
transit/corridor improvements
Where
are we
now? Where are we headed?
ROUTE
202
Growing in Place
Working Together
Identify target opportunity sites for
redevelopment, reinvention or
repositioning
Work closely with state agencies to
implement recommendations
Where
are we
now? Where are we headed?
ROUTE
202
Keeping Healthy, Safe &
Vibrant
Find ways to improve connectivity
along the corridor
Where are we now? Where are we headed?
-
Corridor Tour, Nov 2012:
• The project team completed a corridor tour along Route 202 in the seven
municipalities, speaking with local planners and municipal representatives
• The team identified issues that pertain to the corridor as well as opportunity areas that
can potentially link land use, transportation, and connectivity
Where do we want to go?
Where do we want to go?
-
Transportation Round Table, December 2012:
• Opportunities to better connect land use and transportation
• Additional Stops/Park & rides with redevelopment
• Better connect downtowns and other amenities along the route
• Better connect to existing neighborhoods
• Bike/pedestrian connections
• Transit and businesses on the corridor
Next Steps
- Business Roundtable, February
- Mayor’s Meeting, March
- Public Workshop #2, TBD
Exercise I: Mobility in the Corridor
Exercise II: Land Uses in the Corridor
Center
Edge
Crossroads
Rural neighborhood
Parkway
“Flemington-Somerville 202 Gateway”
(Opportunities Concept Slide)
Crossroads
Centers
Transit Corridor Community
Town Center
• Hotel Conf. Ctr.
• Mixed-Use Residential
• Retail Shops/Restaurants &
Market
• Fitness Center to Attract Young
Professionals
• Parking & Sports Ctr.
• Downtown Culture & History
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Pharmaceutical
Green Tech
Sustainability
Green Energy
Green and organic consumer
products
Bio Tech
IT
Health Care
R&D
Manufacturing
Edges
•
•
•
•
•
Downtown Venues
Gateway Tourism
Historic , Adventure, Eco,
Cultural ,Epicurean, Agri,
Bicycle, Beer /Wine, Transit,
Health & Rural Tourism
Gateway to Hiking Sports
Venues
Historic Building Renovation
Mobility
•
•
•
Parkway
Rural
•
•
•
•
Green space Plan
Mixed-Uses connected by
walking & bike trail loop
New entrance to Flemington
& Somerville
Access to transit options
•
•
•
•
•
Highway Scape
Seasonal Variation
Tourism & Recreational
Bike Trails
Art in the Fields
•
New Transit Facility
Rail Trails
Separate Auto from
Pedestrian
Shuttle Connecting Town
Centers
Issues and Opportunities
Crossroads
Tomorrow
•
Top growth industries in the
USA are as follows:
–
–
–
–
•
Top Growth States are:
–
–
–
•
Florida
Georgia
Texas and Tennessee for these
sectors
Top Growth in New Jersey
–
–
–
–
•
Financial Services
Energy
IT Services
Health Services
Environmental Services
Energy including Green
IT Services
Health Services
Route 202 has
– Health /Pharmaceutical presence
– And Environmental
Source: The Newton Bee--Trinity Solar
Issues and Opportunities
Roche Molecular, Branchburg
Crossroads
TODAY
Route 202 Business Clusters--Strength in Health/Pharm
primarily:
•
•
•
•
Pharmaceutical examples,
–
Janssen Pharmaceuticals
–
Imclone Systems
–
Lifecell Corporation
–
Roche
–
Ortho Mc Neil Pharm
–
Veridex –a Johnson and Johnson Co
–
WF Fischer –lab animal diets
Tech
–
Verizon
–
Delta Soft (combo health and tech)
–
Signal Control Products (traffic control)
Health
–
Environmental Services
–
Energy including Green
Other Inc. Manufacturing
– US Bronze Powders
–
GM Stainless Inc.
–
Falcon Safety Products
–
Chubb
–
Specified Technologies—fire stopping
Pop. 3 miles
from Center
202
Pop. 6 Miles
USA
30%
15.9%
3%
3.2
29.4%
15.7%
3.5
3
17.7
7.3
1.9
1.2
Employed Civilians
Unemploysed
White Collar
note in workforce
68%
3.60%
80.3%
28%
66.50%
5.80%
62%
28%
58%
6.40%
60%
35%
Arch/engineering
Arts, sports and entertainment
Businesses
2%
2.30%
10.2
2.5
2.1
8.3
1.8
1.9
4.7
Computers and math
Education
Healthcare tech
Life Sciences
Managements
Office and Admin Support
Community services
Food Prep
Legal
Sales
Professional Care
Construction and maintenance
farming
maintenance and repair
Production and transportation
4.80%
8%
5.10%
1.30%
17.3%
14.1%
0.8%
3%
2.0%
13.4%
2.1%
4.0%
0.1%
2.9%
4.6%
5.3
7.9
6.2
1.8
16.5
14
1.3
3.4
2
12.3
2.4
4.7
0.1
2.9
4.5
2.5
6.1
3.4
0.9
9.7
14
1.7
5.6
3.4
11.1
3.4
9.7
0.7
3.3
12
89%
80%
20%
85%
72%
28%
65%
61%
39%
% of Population
Educational Assets
Collage Graduates
Masters Degree or Betters
Professional Degrees
Doctorage Degree
Employment and Workforce
Housing
Owned
Single Family
Multi family
housing built
Mostly built in
Mostly built in 1980'a Mostly built in 1980'a 1970'aa
Issues and Opportunities
Centers
Today
–
–
–
–
–
–
New graduates (age 21-24 yrs.) and aging baby boomers over 65 are the fastest population growth
categories in the route 202 corridor
At same time, the family age group of 35 to 44 is declining
The household incomes are very strong for the corridor and anchoring cities-- supporting good quality
housing and services
Overall the average age of the population is 5 years older than the USA suggesting decline in support for
suburban housing
The overall 55 age group is affluent and can support downtown retail and services—should they be
encouraged to stay in the corridor???
Young professionals prefer more urban housing, services and amenities and culture
Household Income (est)
over 55 years
Age 21 to 24
Source: TMS Report and Clarita's
Demographic Snapshot Dec 2012
$160,000.00
$49,000.00
Monthly
Affordable
Rent
$4,400.00
$1,347.50
Population
at 6 miles
out by 2018
18000
3500
Issues Opportunities
Centers
Today
•
•
•
•
•
Over retailed--Average per capita retail inventory is more than 50% higher than USA averages, at
32sf/person vs. 23sf/person in the USA
There is no overall Opportunity Gap in retail ---$133Million in oversupply (supply vs. demand)
Clothing is most oversupplied
However, based on spending, 110,000 sf of specialized retail can be supported in the
downtowns
General merchandize and office is most undersupplied as well as specialty local including crafts,
gifts, sundries, bakeries
Source: Clarita's Dec 2012
Issues and Opportunities
Centers
Tomorrow
•
•
•
•
Young professionals are increasingly residing in downtown neighborhoods.
…people between …25 and 34 represented nearly 25 % of the downtown population…, up from 13 % in 1970. ..
44% of downtown residents in the sample had a bachelor’s degree or higher .
Younger workers are one potential source of labor for filling anticipated worker shortages created by retiring Baby
Boomers. The nation’s 77 million Baby Boomers started turning 60 in 2006. … a number of new workers will be
needed to fill replacement jobs left by retirees, while also filling the need for newly created jobs.
% of Population
Pop. 3 miles
from Center 202
Pop. 6 Miles
USA
30%
15.9%
3%
3.2
29.4%
15.7%
3.5
3
17.7
7.3
1.9
1.2
Educational Assets
Collage Graduates
Masters Degree or Betters
Professional Degrees
Doctorate Degree
Issues and Opportunities
Centers
Today
– People drive 88%
farther to shop since
1969
– People spend 443
hrs. per years in their
car now
– Sprawl
Tomorrow
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Create a village
Support Transit
Increase tax base
Enhance property values
Support for retail and services
Reduces infrastructure cost
Sales of additional good sand services
Save Greenfields
Local stores create an average of
$326/1000 sf of space in surplus dollars
– Small business of less than 20 persons
are 85% of new businesses
– Local business owner return $0.60/dollar
to local retail sales
– Old buildings can become new housing—
preservation visitors spend more than
$62 a day than other visitors
Issues and Opportunities
Edges
Today
•
•
•
•
Office space vacancies at 25%
Some new product coming on line including 200,000 sf in Bridgewater will add to inventory
Rents are stable at $23/sf
Route 202 and Old York Road intersection opportunity area
Central NJ Office
Hunterdon County
Vacancy
-250BPS
Actual
rents
23%
Rents Actual Average
-0.80%
$23
Tomorrow
•
•
•
Multifamily Rents are rising in the region at 4.6% which is well above national trends
Vacancies continue to drop and at 2% and falling indicating that demand is stronger than supply
Demand for rental housing can be targeted to growing demographics of urban empty nesters
Source: REIS Dec 2012
Issues and Opportunities
Rural
Today
•
•
•
•
83% of workers use single occupancy vehicle to get to work
Between 2 and 4% only use transit
Work travel trips account for primary vehicular usage
The population of the route 202 corridor owns on average 3 cars
Tomorrow
• Park and rides and shuttle stops
at corporate park
• Shopping centers as intermodal
connections
• Bike paths
Issues and Opportunities
Parkway
Today
•
Quality of Like—Tourism and Culture
– Delaware Raritan Canal parks
– Historic Downtown Flemington—65% of
Flemington Borough is on National Register
– Quaint River Town images can be marketed
– Pine Barons
– Golf
– NorthLandz—model railroad --largest
– Fertile local farmland—sustainable local
produce is attractive to many green visioned
businesses
Tomorrow
•
•
•
•
Extend the trail system talon the
parkway through corporate parks
Local/sustainable farmers market
Park-&-ride opportunities
???
Main Street Manor B&B, Flemington