When the Pennsauken Transit Center first opened along Derousse Ave. in October of 2013, public officials from all levels of government lauded the facility as a gateway for the area residents to have more access to jobs, education, and health care, as the facility offered new travel options via a direct link between River LINE light rail service and Atlantic City Rail Line. Over a decade later, advocates supported by NJ TRANSIT are reaching out to the public, looking at ways to take the Pennsauken Transit Center to the next level as a community hub, exploring options for retail, housing, and more.
Made possible through a $100,000 grant from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Transportation and Community Development Initiative, NJ TRANSIT is studying the feasibility of transit-oriented development (TOD) and transit-friendly improvements around the Pennsauken Transit Center. TODs are rising in prominence across the nation and promote a new technique of sustainable urban growth, healthy living, and enhanced economic resilience. These developments leverage existing transit infrastructure to create vibrant, mixed-use communities that work to reduce dependence on vehicles, lower greenhouse gas emissions, promote economic vitality, and enhance accessibility. The Pennsauken Transit Center is an ideal location for TOD, based on the available open land surrounding the facility that has prime growth potential.
Feedback from residents, community groups, and municipal government is key to NJ TRANSIT’s analysis of the Pennsauken Transit Center. Throughout the fall, Transit Friendly Planning Program staff will be actively participating in community events to ensure a broad range of voices are heard. There are two upcoming community events where the Pennsauken community will be able to provide feedback. The first is the Township’s upcoming Fall Festival, held on Saturday, Oct. 19, noon to 4:00 p.m., at the Pennsauken Community Recreation Complex on Bethel and Westfield avenues. The second will be a public open house on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Pennsauken Public Library, 5605 N. Crescent Blvd. Representatives from the Study Team will be on site to speak with attendees.
“This project is important to Pennsauken, allowing us to serve the public to their specific needs,” said Pennsauken Mayor Marco DiBattista. “How often do you get an opportunity to ask people directly what they’re looking for? And for us to be a liaison between NJ TRANSIT and our residents; it’s not lost on us how important this is, not just for our town’s continued growth, but as a way to further improve the quality of life of our families and neighbors.”
Residents are encouraged to fill out a brief online survey from NJ TRANSIT about transit-oriented development preferences in Pennsauken Township. To do so, visit https://www.research.net/r/PennsaukenTOD24.
