Kooris describes a lack of multifamily development the state, estimating that Connecticut only has approximately 450,000 units--both apartments and condos--statewide. And based upon the aging baby boomer generation and increasing empty-nester population, many residents may opt to downsize from single-family to apartments. “Even if it is only a fraction of them, it is still going to be a lot of housing on the market, he says. “If we don’t create an opportunity for young professionals and young families to move into the state now, we can’t anticipate importing that many people when everybody is ready to sell on the dime.”

Those opportunities are slowly coming to fruition. Peter Simmons, executive director in the Office of Responsible Development at Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development, tells GlobeSt.com that the four projects are aiming to lessen dependency on cars and increase the walkability of neighborhoods over time.

“We need to reduce the reliance on private automobiles as primary transportation,” Simmons says. “Clearly there’s tremendous opportunity for improving both affordable housing and improving the reliance on transit into New York.”

At Stamford’s East Main Street station, city officials may construct a new commuter rail station on its east side, acting as eastern anchor to Stamford’s main train station, according to the initiative, also known as Sustainable NYCT. Kooris, who is based in Stamford, says the city’s vast amount of office space has attracted 3,000 units over the past 15 years, and several thousand new rental units on the horizon. While traffic on I-95 is a concern, the amount of drivers per capita has actually decreased in Stamford, he says. “This is an example of how a place over time can become more walkable and create more alternatives to the automobile,” Kooris says. “It alleviates the need for individuals to drive for their daily commute.”

In South Norwalk, the city council approved and will implement a master plan for the neighborhood, including improved public transit/circulator, pedestrian and bike access to the South Norwalk train station, according to Sustainable NYCT. Kooris says the city is also working to expand and improve bus service.

Like Stamford, city officials are considering expanding rail service to the East Side of town at Bridgeport Barnum Station. The 700-acre redevelopment site, in consideration, will also include an affordable housing component. However, Kooris says fear about gentrification looms as public discussion moves forward. “It is affordable right now for a lot of people, and as the demand increases in Bridgeport, there’s always the risk that some people will be displaced,” he says. “However, there are mechanisms to alleviate that through inclusionary zoning that requires that every development that gets built includes units that are more affordable for the existing residents.”

Further north, plans are underway to convert the historic Union Station area in New Haven into a transit-oriented community. Part of the city’s larger plan includes structuring parking near the commuter and inter-city rail station to free up land that is currently being used as surface parking, according to Sustainable NYCT.

However, several hurdles exist, such as aging existing infrastructure and contamination issues. In particular, the redevelopment site in question for Bridgeport will require years of environmental remediation, Kooris says. Other large property owners in the area include industrial tenants such as General Electric and DuPont.

Despite the challenges ahead, the RPA is “hopeful” that the state’s new governor, Dannel Malloy, the former mayor of Stamford, will continue to take advantage of transit-oriented development opportunities. “We are going to see a new relationship between the states and cities to bring policy and all the tools of government to bring these projects to fruition,” Kooris says.