Beckerman

Christa Segalini

201-465-8021

csegalini@beckermanpr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wesmont Station Moves Forward with Design Contract Awarded for Development’s New NJ Transit Train Station

Train Station Will Serve as Centerpiece of Somerset Development’s Award-Winning Transit-Oriented Community

WOOD-RIDGE, N.J. (April XX, 2010) – Leading real estate developer Somerset Development has announced that Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (NYSE: JEC) has been awarded the design contract for the New Jersey Transit train station to be built at Wesmont Station – the award-winning mixed-use redevelopment of the former Curtiss-Wright site in Wood-Ridge, N. J. The announcement marks a significant milestone in the progress of this important redevelopment project, as the train station will serve as the community’s centerpiece.

“The train station and plaza will be a focal point of Wesmont Station, within walking distance of every home and building located within the development,” said Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development. “We are extremely proud to have the team at Jacobs Engineering involved with this prestigious project and look forward to working with them to ensure that this important piece of the development will contribute to the creation of a dynamic destination location. Even in these challenging times, we continue to make progress at this site and look forward to the completion of this important milestone.”

Wesmont Station is a 70-acre, mixed-use, transit-oriented development that will be anchored by the new train station, which will connect with the Bergen Line commuter rail to Manhattan.

“To be one of the few municipalities where large-scale redevelopment is still moving forward in the face of economic constraints is beyond rewarding and a testament to the commitment of all parties involved in Wesmont Station to seeing this project through to its successful completion,” stated Sen. Paul Sarlo, Mayor of Wood-Ridge. “We are very encouraged to see progress being made with regard to the train station, as we know that the station is a cornerstone of the appeal of this new development and one that all residents of Wood-Ridge and the surrounding area will benefit from.”

Jacobs is one of the world’s largest and most diverse providers of professional technical services, with transportation expertise in such diverse projects as highways, bridges, tunnels, railroads and ports. The design of the Wesmont Station pays particular attention to efficiency as well as passenger and pedestrian safety. The design also incorporates daily parking for train passengers and a pedestrian overpass that allows riders to avoid walking across active train tracks.

Daily parking for train passengers will be available, featuring handicap accessible spots and security features including remote cameras for full visibility in and around the station.

In making the announcement, Jacobs Group Vice President Kevin McMahon stated, “We are approaching the design of this train station to reflect the spirit of Wesmont Station: a modern station that serves as the heart of a community offering a complete lifestyle experience.”

The first phase of development at Wesmont Station includes 406 apartment residences to be built by AvalonBay Communities, a leading developer of premier apartment communities throughout the country.

“The design of the train station marks the beginning of the true center of this project – its inclusion of mass transit is a feature that we know to be of increasing importance to people seeking the lifestyle benefits of living in a pedestrian-friendly, 24/7 community,” stated AvalonBay Vice President Ronald Ladell. Additionally, approximately 29,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, along with supportive parking, are also part of this first phase and being built by AvalonBay.

Also approved in Phase I are 27 single-family homes, 36 townhomes and 11 live/work townhomes, to be built by Pulte Homes. “We are very pleased to be part of the creation of a true community featuring great access to transit as well as shopping and dining opportunities that will afford residents of our homes with a complete lifestyle experience,” stated Paul Schneier, president of the NY/NJ Metro division of Pulte Homes.

In addition to the new train station and residential and retail components of the development, Wesmont Station is also planned to include a public square and walking and biking paths.

Working with the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Wood-Ridge and its local stakeholders, Somerset Development and renowned town planners Duany, Plater-Zyberk & Company, reached out to the community for design input into Wesmont Station. Hundreds of local residents participated in the design workshop sessions, which led to the creation of the master plan and design guidelines of this unique development.

For more information on Wesmont Station, visit www.sdnj.com. For more information about Jacobs, visit www.jacobs.com.

About Somerset Development

Somerset Development is a residential and commercial developer located in Lakewood, N. J. The principals of Somerset have more than 40 years of real estate development experience. Somerset is recognized as one of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area’s most popular homebuilders. With an unwavering passion and commitment to detail, design and quality, Somerset has built an extraordinary following of buyers. As one of the few developers devoted to Traditional Neighborhood Development, Somerset works painstakingly to create neighborhoods of distinctive character and charm where small-town life thrives. For more information on Somerset Development contact the company’s Lakewood headquarters by calling (732) 367-2828 or via their Web site at www.SDNJ.com.

“We are gratified to have received this show of support from Wood-Ridge and are looking forward to facilitating construction progress at the development site,” stated Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development.  “We are very proud to be able to bring a world-class community such as Wesmont Station to Bergen County.”

“The approval of the final site plan for Phase I is testament to the enthusiasm with which Wesmont Station has been received by the Borough of Wood-Ridge and of the positive impact the development will have with regard to enhancing the quality of life for residents,” stated Somerset Development’s planner Nicholas Graviano, president of Graviano Planning Group.

The Planning Board’s recent decision effectively signals the imminent start of building construction at Wesmont Station. The development’s first phase includes 406 apartment residences being built by AvalonBay Communities, a leading developer of premier apartment communities throughout the country. These apartments, of which 61 qualify as affordable housing to satisfy the state Council on Affordable Housing requirements, will be housed in four distinct buildings. Additionally, approximately 25,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, along with supportive parking, are also part of this first phase.

Occupancy for the first phase of residences at Wesmont Station is scheduled for 2010.

“There is already great demand for rental housing in New Jersey, but at Wesmont Station, that demand is enhanced further by the complete-lifestyle experience that comes with living near retail, commuter rail, recreational opportunities and community facilities,” stated Ron Ladell, vice president of development for AvalonBay’s New Jersey division. “We are pleased to be able to start construction soon on these rental residences and begin the process of bringing this exciting community to life.”

Also approved in Phase I are 27 single-family homes, 36 townhomes and 11 live/work townhouses.

Wesmont Station is a 70-acre, mixed-use, transit-oriented development that will be anchored by a new NJ Transit Train Station that will connect with the Bergen Line commuter rail to Manhattan. The community is the only development in northern New Jersey selected as a pilot project in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Neighborhood Development Initiative, and was honored with the prestigious Smart Growth Award from New Jersey Future in 2006.

Construction on the new rail station at Wesmont Station is expected to begin in 2009, with completion in 2011.  The train station and plaza will be the centerpiece of the development, from which every home and building will be within walking distance. Approximately 788 residential units are included in the plans for Wesmont Station, as well as 130,000 square feet of retail and office space to be developed by Somerset Development.

In addition to the new train station and residential and retail components of the development, Wesmont Station is also planned to include a public square, community center, new middle school, athletic fields and walking and biking paths.

Last year, Wesmont Station was chosen to participate in the LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Program, a new rating system that integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design. LEED certification provides independent, third party verification that a community’s location and design meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible, sustainable development.

Working with the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Wood-Ridge and its local stakeholders, Somerset Development and renowned town planners Duany, Plater-Zyberk & Company, reached out to the community for design input into Wesmont Station. Hundreds of local residents participated in the design workshop sessions, which led to the creation of the master plan and design guidelines of this unique development.

For more information on Wesmont Station, visit www.sdnj.com.

About Somerset Development
Somerset Development is a residential and commercial developer located in Lakewood, N. J. The principals of Somerset have more than 40 years of real estate development experience. Somerset is recognized as one of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area’s most popular homebuilders. With an unwavering passion and commitment to detail, design and quality, Somerset has built an extraordinary following of buyers. As one of the few developers devoted to Traditional Neighborhood Development, Somerset works painstakingly to create neighborhoods of distinctive character and charm where small-town life thrives. For more information on Somerset Development contact the company’s Lakewood headquarters by calling (732) 367-2828 or via their Web site at www.SDNJ.com.

About AvalonBay Communities

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. is in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing luxury apartment communities in the high barrier-to-entry markets of the United States. These markets are located in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific Northwest and Northern and Southern California regions of the country. As of June 30, 2008, AvalonBay owned or held an interest in 180 apartment communities containing 51,118 apartment homes in ten states and the District of Columbia, of which 20 communities were under construction and 10 communities were under reconstruction. In addition, the company held future development rights for 42 communities. AvalonBay Communities, Inc.’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange and under the ticker symbol “AVB.” Last year, AvalonBay Communities received the National Association of Homebuilders’ “Pillars of the Industry- Management Company of the Year Award” and also received “Management Company of the Year” honors from the New Jersey Apartment Association. For more information, visit www.avalonbay.com

WOOD-RIDGE, N.J. (July 1, 2008) — With site work now underway at Wesmont Station, leading real estate developer Somerset Development has announced that Centex, one of the nation’s premier homebuilding companies, has joined the development team for this 70-acre mixed-use, transit-oriented development in Wood-Ridge, N. J.  Wesmont Station is the only development in northern New Jersey selected as a pilot project in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Neighborhood Development Initiative, and will feature a new train station that will connect with the Bergen Line commuter rail to Manhattan.

The plans for Wesmont Station include a mix of for-sale housing to be constructed by Centex, rental residences to be constructed by AvalonBay Communities and 130,000 square-feet of retail and office space to be developed by Somerset Development, the master developer of Wesmont Station.  The development’s new train station will be developed through a partnership between NJTransit and Somerset Development.

Site work has now started for Wesmont Station, with the site currently being cleared of fencing, poles and debris to prepare for building construction. PSE&G has also moved onto the site to remove overhead electric lines.

“We are extremely excited to announce that site work has now begun at Wesmont Station and that Centex, one of the country’s most highly experienced and respected homebuilders, has joined Somerset Development and AvalonBay Communities to form a world-class development team for this new community,” stated Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development.  “Our commitment to making Wesmont Station a benchmark of smart growth development will benefit from the combined efforts of these homebuilders, whose exceptional scope of experience will help to ensure the successful execution of our high expectations for this new transit-oriented community.”

The plans for Wesmont Station include several hundred units of for-sale housing, including single-family homes, townhomes and condominiums, to be developed by Centex.

“Opportunities like Wesmont Station allow Centex to demonstrate our commitment to creating dynamic living experiences for our homeowners,” said Bob Fourniadis, senior vice president and director of land acquisition for Centex in New Jersey. “We are confident that this new complete-lifestyle neighborhood, where residents will be able to live, work and play all in one place, will serve as a model for sustainable development, and we are proud to be on the team that is bringing the vision for this community to life.”

Of the approximately 788 diverse residential units included in the plans for Wesmont Station, approximately 400 units will be high-end luxury apartment homes. Housed in four distinct buildings, these apartments will be constructed by AvalonBay as part of Phase I of the development, scheduled to being in 2009, with occupancy expected for early 2010.

Construction on the new rail station at Wesmont Station is expected to begin in 2009, with completion in 2011.  The train station and plaza will be the centerpiece of the development, from which every home and building will be within walking distance.

In addition to the new train station and residential and retail components of the development, Wesmont Station is also planned to include a public square, community center, new middle school, athletic fields and walking and biking paths.

Last year, Wesmont Station was chosen to participate in the LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Program, a new rating system that integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design. LEED certification provides independent, third party verification that a community’s location and design meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible, sustainable development. The goal of the pilot program is to establish a national standard for assessing and rewarding environmentally superior neighborhoods within the rating framework of the LEED Green Building Rating System. LEED for Neighborhood Development encourages developers to revitalize existing urban areas, reduce land consumption, reduce automobile dependence, promote pedestrian activity, improve air quality, decrease polluted stormwater runoff and build more livable, sustainable communities for people of all income levels.

Working with the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Wood-Ridge and its local stakeholders, Somerset Development, DMR Architects, and renowned town planners Duany, Plater-Zyberk & Company reached out to the community for design input into Wesmont Station. Hundreds of local residents participated in the design workshop sessions, which led to the creation of the master plan and design guidelines of this unique development.

For more information on Wesmont Station, visit www.sdnj.com.

About Somerset Development

Somerset Development is a residential and commercial developer located in Lakewood, N. J. The principals of Somerset have more than 40 years of real estate development experience. Somerset is recognized as one of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area’s most popular homebuilders. With an unwavering passion and commitment to detail, design and quality, Somerset has built an extraordinary following of buyers. As one of the few developers devoted to Traditional Neighborhood Development, Somerset works painstakingly to create neighborhoods of distinctive character and charm where small-town life thrives.

For more information on Somerset Development contact the company’s Lakewood headquarters by calling (732) 367-2828 or via their Web site at www.SDNJ.com.

About Centex

Dallas-based Centex, founded in 1950, is one of the nation’s leading home building companies. Its leading brands include Centex Homes, Fox & Jacobs Homes and CityHomes. In addition to its home building operations, Centex also offers mortgage, title and insurance services. Centex has ranked among the top three builders on FORTUNE magazine’s list of “America’s Most Admired Companies” for nine straight years and is a leader in quality and customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.centex.com.

About AvalonBay Communities
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. is in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing high-quality apartment communities in the high barrier-to-entry markets of the United States. These markets are located in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific Northwest and Northern and Southern California regions of the country. As of December 31, 2007, AvalonBay owned or held an interest in 184 apartment communities containing 52,748 apartment homes in ten states and the District of Columbia, of which 21 communities were under construction and eight communities were under reconstruction. In addition, the company held future development rights for 48 communities. AvalonBay Communities, Inc.’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange and under the ticker symbol “AVB.” Last year, AvalonBay Communities received the National Association of Homebuilders’ “Pillars of the Industry- Management Company of the Year Award” and also received “Management Company of the Year” honors from the New Jersey Apartment Association.

For more information, visit www.avalonbay.com.

LAKEWOOD, N. J. (May 29, 2008) –Leading real estate development company Somerset Development is proud to announce Wesmont Station’s role as the only development to have been included on a panel addressing The U. S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) Pilot Program, conducted during the recent United States Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields 2008 Conference.

Brownfields 2008: Roadmap to Revitalization, which took place from May 5 through 7 in Detroit, MI, attracted over 6,000 attendees and featured a host of expert speakers addressing audience members on a wide variety of subjects regarding Brownfield redevelopment.

Dr. Frances Hoffman, Somerset’s director of redevelopment, participated on the panel regarding the LEED-ND Pilot Program, during which she discussed how Wesmont Station is a benchmark, not only for Brownfield redevelopment, but also for sustainable design, transit-oriented planning and Smart Growth development.

“I believe Wesmont Station has been so well-received by leaders in the field of redevelopment because it effectively demonstrates how to incorporate sustainability and Smart Growth on a large enough scale so that it makes a significant difference in terms of impact,” stated Hoffman.  “This project is serving as a model for those who have the desire to do more than just redevelop a site, but to foster a positive, lasting impression in a community by recycling a challenging site and creating a vibrant, walkable destination neighborhood.”

The 70-acre mixed-use Wesmont Station will include 788 residential units in a wide variety of housing styles, 130,000 square feet of retail, a public square, a community center, walking and biking paths, and office and retail facilities, all within a five-minute walk of a new planned train station that will connect with the Bergen Line commuter rail to Manhattan.

The train station and plaza will be the centerpiece of the development. Every home and building will be within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges, light fixtures, planters, benches, bike racks and extra-wide sidewalks will help to give Wesmont Station a distinctive sense of place and define it as a pedestrian-oriented community. Streets will be narrower than usual to create a traffic-calming effect. Children who attend the planned middle school will be able to walk to school without ever entering a roadway.

About Somerset Development:
Somerset Development is a residential and commercial developer located in Lakewood, N. J. The principals of Somerset have more than 40 years of real estate development experience. Somerset is recognized as one of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area’s most popular homebuilders. With an unwavering passion and commitment to detail, design and quality, Somerset has built an extraordinary following of buyers. As one of the few developers devoted to Traditional Neighborhood Design, Somerset works painstakingly to create neighborhoods of distinctive character and charm where small-town life thrives.

For more information on Somerset Development contact the company’s Lakewood headquarters by calling (732) 367-2828 or via their Web site at www.SDNJ.com.

About DMR Architects
Headquartered in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, DMR Architects is a leading full-service architectural firm specializing in master planning, green design, programming, interior design and construction administration and is active throughout local, national and international markets.  Founded in 1991, DMR celebrates its 16th year in serving a diverse client base across all sectors including education, healthcare, residential, mixed-use, transit, commercial and public use.

For more information, please visit the firm at: www.dmrarchitects.com.

About LEED for Neighborhood Development
The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a development’s location and design meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible, sustainable, development.

LEED for Neighborhood Development is a collaboration between the U.S. Green Building Council, the Congress for the New Urbanism, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

For more information, please visit the Web site: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=148.

WOOD-RIDGE, N.J. (May 27, 2008) – Leading Lakewood, N. J. -based real estate developer Somerset Development has announced that AvalonBay Communities, one of the country’s largest and most accomplished residential development companies, has joined the development team at Wesmont Station, the 70-acre mixed-use, transit-oriented development currently underway in Wood-Ridge. The development is the only project in northern New Jersey that has been selected as a Pilot Project in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Neighborhood Development initiative. Wesmont Station includes plans for a new train station that will connect with the Bergen Line commuter rail to Manhattan.

“In the planning and execution of Wesmont Station, we are looking to create an entirely new comprehensive neighborhood in northern New Jersey based upon the principles of smart growth and environmental sustainability, where residents have immediate access to public transportation via the new train station, retail opportunities within walking distance of their homes, onsite amenities to enhance their living experiences and opportunities for recreation,” stated Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development.  “The sheer scale of this project necessitates a team of experienced and highly qualified development companies to achieve the remarkable goals we’ve set for Wesmont Station, and we are very proud to have AvalonBay, one of the real estate industry’s most accomplished and well-regarded companies, on board to support us in the realization of our vision.”

Of the approximately 788 residential units included in the plans for Wesmont Station – which encompass a wide variety of housing styles – approximately 400 units will be high-end luxury apartment homes housed in four distinct buildings to be constructed by AvalonBay as part of Phase I of the development.  Construction on the first phase is scheduled to begin in 2009, with occupancy expected for early 2010. Ground is expected to be broken in early 2009 for the community’s new train station.

“We are ecstatic about joining what is destined to be one of the most important and pioneering developments in the Northeast,” stated Ron Ladell, vice president of development for AvalonBay’s New Jersey division.  “AvalonBay believes strongly in the driving principles behind Wesmont Station and actively pursues transit-oriented, mixed-use development opportunities of this caliber because we know that this type of design will ensure the long-term value of the residences we build, regardless of market cycle.”

The plans for Wesmont Station also include 130,000 square-feet of retail and office space to be developed by Somerset Development, and a mix of for-sale housing.

In addition to the new train station and residential and retail components of the development, Wesmont Station is also planned to include a public square, community center, new middle school, athletic fields and walking and biking paths.

The train station and plaza will be the centerpiece of the development, from which every home and building will be within walking distance.

Last year, Wesmont Station was chosen to participate in the LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Program, a new rating system that integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a community’s location and design meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible, sustainable development. The goal of the pilot program is to establish a national standard for assessing and rewarding environmentally superior neighborhoods within the rating framework of the LEED Green Building Rating System.  LEED for Neighborhood Development will encourage developers to revitalize existing urban areas, reduce land consumption, reduce automobile dependence, promote pedestrian activity, improve air quality, decrease polluted stormwater runoff and build more livable, sustainable communities for people of all income levels.

Working with the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Wood-Ridge and its local stakeholders, Somerset Development, DMR Architects, and renowned town planners Duany, Plater-Zyberk & Company reached out to the community for design input into Wesmont Station. Hundreds of local residents participated in the design workshop sessions, which led to the creation of the master plan and design guidelines of this unique development.

About Somerset Development
Somerset Development is a residential and commercial developer located in Lakewood, N. J. The principals of Somerset have more than 40 years of real estate development experience. Somerset is recognized as one of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area’s most popular homebuilders. With an unwavering passion and commitment to detail, design and quality, Somerset has built an extraordinary following of buyers. As one of the few developers devoted to Traditional Neighborhood Design, Somerset works painstakingly to create neighborhoods of distinctive character and charm where small-town life thrives.

For more information on Somerset Development contact the company’s Lakewood headquarters by calling (732) 367-2828 or via their Web site at www.SDNJ.com.

About AvalonBay Communities
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. is in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing high-quality apartment communities in the high barrier-to-entry markets of the United States. These markets are located in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Pacific Northwest and Northern and Southern California regions of the country. As of December 31, 2007, AvalonBay owned or held an interest in 184 apartment communities containing 52,748 apartment homes in ten states and the District of Columbia, of which 21 communities were under construction and eight communities were under reconstruction. In addition, the company held future development rights for 48 communities. AvalonBay Communities, Inc.’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange and under the ticker symbol “AVB.” Last year, AvalonBay Communities received the National Association of Homebuilders’ “Pillars of the Industry- Management Company of the Year Award” and also received “Management Company of the Year” honors from the New Jersey Apartment Association.

For more information, visit www.avalonbay.com.

“You can say that we have replaced an old landmark with a new landmark,” said Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development. “The Concord demonstrates that multifamily housing can create a distinctive sense of place and become a valuable asset to the community.”

The Concord contains a ground level of indoor gated parking and four levels of residential space. The impeccably designed four-, five- and six-bedroom condominiums each offer the space of a single-family home with units ranging from 2,200 to more than 3,000 square feet. A beautifully landscaped 3,000 square-foot courtyard and playground, as well as spacious outdoor balconies, provide residents with ample opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

Mayor Coles said that Lakewood was proud to have Somerset Development redevelop the site and feels that Zucker delivered on his promise to create a building that all of Lakewood could enjoy. Coles presented Zucker with a proclamation from State Senator Robert W. Singer (R-30), praising Somerset Development for revitalizing the site and honoring Lakewood’s history with a new building that combines classic and modern architecture.

“When people ask about The Concord, we can simply point and say that it’s that beautiful new building in the center of Lakewood,” said Coles. “Not only does The Concord provide much-needed housing, but  it also has spectacular landscaping, a playground for our children and park benches for pedestrians to stop and rest when they are walking down Madison Avenue.”

One of The Concord’s first residents, Maurice E. Novoseller was so impressed by the building, its amenities and the attention to every architectural and construction detail, that he and his family purchased multiple units.

“I’m now one block from my daughter, two blocks from my son and a half-mile from my other son,” said Novoseller. “The location is perfect for Lakewood, and the homes are large enough to have my entire family visit during the holidays.”

The Concord is the third residential project for Lakewood-based Somerset Development within Lakewood. They have also built the single-family-home community of Pine River Village, with 175 homes, located at Pine and Washington Streets, and are developing Pine and Vine with 14 duplex units adjacent to Pine River Village.

“Lakewood is our home and we only build homes that we would live in ourselves,” said Zucker. “It’s a true testament to the partnership between Somerset Development and the town of Lakewood that we are able to create projects that will serve as local landmarks for years to come.”

About Somerset Development:

Somerset Development is a residential and commercial developer located in Lakewood, N. J. The principals of Somerset have more than 40 years of real estate development experience. Somerset is recognized as one of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area’s most popular homebuilders. With an unwavering passion and commitment to detail, design and quality, Somerset has built an extraordinary following of buyers. As one of the few developers devoted to Traditional Neighborhood Design, Somerset works painstakingly to create neighborhoods of distinctive character and charm where small-town life thrives.

For more information on Somerset Development contact the company’s Lakewood headquarters by calling (732) 367-2828 or via their Web site at www.sdnj.com.

“We have always expected that Wesmont Station would be a model of transit-friendly development for not just New Jersey, but the entire country,” said Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development. “We are proud to be a part of a project that encourages building environmentally conscious neighborhoods and communities.”

The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a community’s location and design meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible, sustainable development. The goal of the pilot program is to establish a national standard for assessing and rewarding environmentally superior neighborhoods within the rating framework of the LEED Green Building Rating System.  LEED for Neighborhood Development will encourage developers to revitalize existing urban areas, reduce land consumption, reduce automobile dependence, promote pedestrian activity, improve air quality, decrease polluted stormwater runoff and build more livable, sustainable communities for people of all income levels.

“LEED for Neighborhood Development is the long-awaited expansion of the LEED green standard from individual buildings to neighborhoods as a whole,” explains Jeff Speck, former director of design at the National Endowment for the Arts, which helped fund the program.  “Selection of the right pilot projects is essential to the success for the program, and we are expecting Wesmont Station to set a high standard.”

The 80-acre mixed-use Wesmont Station will include 788 residential units in a wide variety of housing styles, 130,000 square feet of retail, a public square, a community center, a new middle school, walking and biking paths, and office and retail facilities, all within a five-minute walk of a new planned train station that will connect with the Bergen Line commuter rail to Manhattan.

The train station and plaza will be the centerpiece of the development. Every home and building will be within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges, light fixtures, planters, benches, bike racks and extra-wide sidewalks will help to give Wesmont Station a distinctive sense of place and define it as a pedestrian-oriented community. Streets will be narrower than usual to create a traffic-calming effect. Children who attend the planned middle school will be able to walk to school without ever entering a roadway.

About Somerset Development:
Somerset Development is a residential and commercial developer located in Lakewood, N. J. The principals of Somerset have more than 40 years of real estate development experience. Somerset is recognized as one of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area’s most popular homebuilders. With an unwavering passion and commitment to detail, design and quality, Somerset has built an extraordinary following of buyers. As one of the few developers devoted to Traditional Neighborhood Design, Somerset works painstakingly to create neighborhoods of distinctive character and charm where small-town life thrives.

For more information on Somerset Development contact the company’s Lakewood headquarters by calling (732) 367-2828 or via their Web site at www.SDNJ.com.

About DMR Architects
Headquartered in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, DMR Architects is a leading full-service architectural firm specializing in master planning, green design, programming, interior design and construction administration and is active throughout local, national and international markets.  Founded in 1991, DMR celebrates its 16th year in serving a diverse client base across all sectors including education, healthcare, residential, mixed-use, transit, commercial and public use.

For more information, please visit the firm at: www.dmrarchitects.com.

About LEED for Neighborhood Development
The LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism, and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a development’s location and design meet accepted high standards for environmentally responsible, sustainable, development.

LEED for Neighborhood Development is a collaboration between the U.S. Green Building Council, the Congress for the New Urbanism, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

For more information, please visit the Web site: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=148.

World-renowned architect and planner Andres Duany designed the project. Duany and his firm, Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company, have literally written the book on New Urbanism and TND with the publishing of  “Smart Code and Manual,” a model integrated development code that incorporates Smart Growth and New Urbanist principles.

Hudson Point is situated on a picturesque hillside overlooking the Hudson River, surrounded by 200+ acres of preserved open space in a wooded area between the Hudson River and Esopus Lake. The neighborhood will be comprised of approximately 396 homes of varied types, a bed and breakfast inn, a spa, and around 40,000 square feet of commercial space. The non-gated community will be pedestrian friendly, with public walking trails throughout the 349-acre development. A central town square will serve as the focal point, and will provide stunning views of the Hudson River that will be enjoyed by all residents of the Town of Esopus.

“We have created a community with a heart and soul,” said Ralph Zucker. Zucker is Somerset Development’s president and a member of The Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), an organization promoting walkable, neighborhood-based development as an alternative to the typical suburban sprawl form of development. “The traditional neighborhood design will provide the ideal balance between public and private spaces, and will establish a community where residents will build friendships that will flourish.”

One of the unique elements of TND is the variety of diverse elements within the framework of streets. The diverse mix of housing types, building footprints and the creation of architectural design types will create a neighborhood and streets that are aesthetically pleasing .

The plans for Hudson Point were developed as a result of an extensive “charrette” process in which Somerset Development sought input from members of the community, including residents, elected officials, planners, designers and emergency responders as the design of the community was taking place.

DPZ and Somerset Development are leaders in the development of New Urbanist communities. In 2006 they shared a New Jersey Smart Growth Award from the New Jersey Future Research and Policy Group for Wesmont Station in Wood Ridge, N. J., the first New Urbanist development in suburban New Jersey. For their environmentally conscious design, DPZ also received an award for Southside in Greensboro, N. C., from the Sierra Club as one of the Top Ten Developments of 2005.

About Somerset Development:

Somerset Development, LLC, is a residential and commercial developer located in Lakewood, N. J. The principals of Somerset have more than 40 years of real estate development experience. Somerset is recognized as one of the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area’s most popular homebuilders. With an unwavering passion ad commitment to detail, design and quality, Somerset has built an extraordinary following of buyers. As one of the few developers devoted to traditional neighborhood design, Somerset works painstakingly to create neighborhoods of distinctive character and charm where small-town life thrives.

For more information on Somerset Development contact the company’s Lakewood headquarters at (732) 367-2828.

The superior quality and design of the homes, combined with the pristine natural setting has established Crystal Lakes as one of New Jersey’s most desirable new home communities. Winning Community of the Year illustrates how Somerset Development has become a leader in the new home industry.  Recognized by a panel of judges, Somerset Development has dramatically raised the benchmark for luxury and home design in the creation of its communities throughout the region.

“Crystal Lakes is a special place, these awards continue to illustrate the commitment to providing our customers with the best home and lifestyle available in our marketplace,” said Ralph Zucker, president of Somerset Development

The homes at Crystal Lakes offer a variety of spectacular floor plans, with up to 3,400 square feet, featuring four bedrooms, two and one-half baths, first-floor studies, full basements and two-car side entry courtyard garages. The formal entrances, with elegant transoms and sidelights, open to a dramatic two-story foyer. Aesthetic, yet practical design elements include a gas fireplace with slate surround in the spacious family room, which allows for a media alcove.  Some of the homes offer master suites on the main level, breakfast nooks, bonus rooms that can be made into a second master suite and walk-in pantries in the kitchen.

The convenient location in Egg Harbor Township is situated near the Garden State Parkway and Atlantic City Expressway. The neighborhood is minutes away from business and entertainment destinations in nearby Atlantic City and less than an hour from Philadelphia. The community is served by the acclaimed Egg Harbor Township School District.

For more information on Somerset Village at Crystal Lakes, contact the sales office at (609) 653-8065. The sales office and models are located on Lacosta Drive (off Ridge Ave) in Egg Harbor Township and are open Sunday -Friday from 11 a. m. – 4 p. m.

Many who oppose multifamily residential development in New Jersey believe that these types of developments create a burden on local school systems by attracting an influx of school children. Ultimately, they say, these developments hurt taxpayers because the property tax revenues generated by the new developments are not sufficient to offset the costs of educating the additional students.

The facts, however, are not on their side. According to a recent Rutgers study, high-density developments, especially mixed-use projects, actually create fewer schoolchildren than an equal number of single-family homes. These developments also bring in valuable tax ratables that more than offset the costs associated with educating the schoolchildren who live in these communities. In addition to covering the costs of educating the students, the tax ratables generated by such developments contribute added fiscal benefits that can help keep a lid on property taxes in New Jersey, which are among the nation’s highest.

The Rutgers study was conducted by David Listokin, a professor at the Bloustein School for Public Policy and one of the state’s leading fiscal impact analysts. Utilizing census data from 2000, the study concludes that 58 school-age children are generated for every 100 three-bedroom single-family detached homes, of whom 48 would be likely to attend public school. By contrast, 12 school children, with 10 likely to attend public schools, would be generated by 100 two-bedroom multifamily condominiums. In fact, contrary to public opinion, detached housing currently produces the highest number of residents and pupils compared to attached homes. Indeed, the most common types of multifamily attached housing, such as two- to three-bedroom townhouses and one- to two-bedroom multifamily units, have the lowest impact per household on public school populations.

Opponents of multifamily residential development might argue that more multifamily units can be fit onto a parcel of property than single-family homes, which is true. But with the number of schoolchildren generated by single-family homes exceeding that generated by two-bedroom multifamily units by a factor nearly five, a multifamily development would have to be nearly five times as dense as a single-family development in order to generate the same number of school children.

Residences built in transit villages in close proximity to public transportation generate even fewer schoolchildren, the study concluded. Sample data from existing Transit-Oriented Developments (TODs) showed that such developments generate approximately one-sixth the number of public school children generated by homes of a similar type, size and value that are not specifically located near mass transit.