New Jersey Future Praises Urban and Regional Growth Transition Report
njfuture
org) , Director of Government and Public Affairs, 609-393-0008 ext. 118
TRENTON, Jan. 26, 2018 — Governor Murphy’s policy office today released the reports from the gubernatorial transition committees. New Jersey Future had an opportunity to review the report from the Urban and Regional Growth Committee, which the organization’s executive director, Peter Kasabach, co-chaired.
“We commend the Murphy administration for focusing on urban and regional growth, which is a critical and cross-departmental issue that often is ignored,” said Kasabach. “This administration seems to understand that smart growth fosters economic growth. Implementing these community-building initiatives will strengthen our economy in both the short run and for the next generation of New Jerseyans.
“The report sets a bold direction for the new administration that will, if implemented, result in economic growth, healthier and more equitable communities and a more efficient use of state and private resources,” Kasabach continued. “It was particularly good to see an emphasis on state strategic planning and coordinating state departments around a growth strategy.”
New Jersey Future looks forward to working with the administration and:
- The Department of Community Affairs, to modernize its approach to supporting downtown redevelopment, including reinvigorating the Main Street program, bringing back Urban Enterprise Zones and engaging a public-private sector model for providing technical assistance and support to the state’s main streets and downtowns.
- The Department of Environmental Protection, to establish sea level rise standards and have these standards integrated into all state investment decision-making.
- The Department of Transportation and NJ Transit, to integrate economic development and community development planning goals into their work, and to emphasize the role that both can play in advancing transit-oriented development.
- The Legislature, to develop a state historic tax credit program that will help to revitalize and provide an economic boost for our legacy communities.
The full transition report, one of 14 released today, is available here.
Founded in 1987, New Jersey Future is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes sensible growth, redevelopment and infrastructure investments to foster vibrant cities and towns, protect natural lands and waterways, enhance transportation choices, provide access to safe, affordable and aging-friendly neighborhoods and fuel a strong economy. The organization does this through original research, innovative policy development, coalition-building, advocacy, and hands-on technical assistance. New Jersey Future serves as the backbone staff for the Jersey Water Works collaborative.
