Riders arrive for the start of the “Mayor’s Bike Ride”. (click to expand.)
On Sunday, the “Mayor’s Bike Ride” took place in Princeton. About 70 riders defied rode from Community Park South to Mountain Lakes Park along with Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert. Continue reading
Princeton School Board Offices at Valley Road. (click to expand)
Princeton Board of Education meets tonight (9.4.18*) to consider whether to place a $130 million bond before voters for a November referendum. The $130 million is intended to expand local schools to provide capacity for anticipated growth in student numbers. But the decision is being taken as another – potentially far more dramatic – process is being played out. And that process might make the proposed expansion of Princeton schools unnecessary, even before it is completed. Continue reading
The Franklin Avenue parking lot in Princeton. (click to expand)
Princeton Council focused on parking once again at their Monday night meeting, and decided to expand the range of parking options in town by at least 150 spaces. Specifically, Council decided to start charging for parking at the Franklin Avenue parking lot, which formally was used for staff and visitors to the old Princeton Hospital, but which has lain empty for several years since the hospital moved to Plainsboro. Long-term, this site is going to be used for affordable housing, but Council decided that people should be allowed to pay to use it as daily employee parking for one to two years, before construction of the new housing begins. Continue reading
These affordable homes on Franklin Avenue in Princeton will be demolished according to the town’s housing plan… (click to expand)
After a lengthy court battle last year, a top Mercer County judge told the town of Princeton that it needs to build at least 753 new affordable homes by 2025. In response, the town has put together a housing plan, which aims to meet this obligation. The plan was presented to Council on May 17 of this year, and posted on the town website. Ten sites were identified where new affordable housing could be constructed, which would theoretically meet the requirements set by the court. The town must now present its plan to Judge Jacobson, in a hearing * scheduled for next Tuesday, July 24. If the Judge approves the plan, then the town of Princeton will be protected from ‘builders remedy’ lawsuits, where developers seek the court’s permission to build more than what is allowed by local zoning. But is the town’s housing plan realistic? Several issues suggest that the Judge may be skeptical… Continue reading
Mercer County, NJ Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson, who ruled in recent housing case. (click to expand). Via njcourts.com
On both coasts of the USA, high housing costs have become a major problem. Residents in states like California, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts often have to pay a very high proportion of their income just to find a place to live – a problem that results in many residents seeking a less expensive place to live in other states. Two potential solutions could provide more affordable housing. The first is to build more social housing, operated by local government or non-profit agencies, and provided to qualifying low-income households. The other approach is to build lots more market-rate housing, in the hope that some of it will become affordable over time. But does this really happen in real life? A major recent court case in Mercer County, New Jersey addressed this issue… Continue reading
Princeton Theological Seminary sites that could be in line for redevelopment under a town initiative. (click to expand) Map via princetonj.gov
Princeton Council looks set to authorize a study that could pave the way for redevelopment of up to 9.74 acres of land belonging to the Princeton Theological Seminary. Council Resolution 18-218, which is on the agenda for the Council meeting this Monday, June 25, would instruct the Princeton Planning Board to study whether the Seminary properties, which are between Stockton Street and Mercer Street, ought to be designated as an ‘area in need of redevelopment’. Continue reading
Passengers gather around the Princeton Dinky train at Princeton Junction station, where substantial new housing is planned. (click to expand)
800 new homes. 37,000 sq ft of commercial development. This is what West Windsor Mayor Hemant Marathe has agreed to build next to Princeton Junction Station. News of the new developer agreement was released by Diccon Hyatt at US-1 newspaper. The builder will be Avalon Bay, who also built the new 280-unit apartment complex at the former Princeton Hospital site on Witherspoon Street in Princeton. The new development will occupy 25 acres next to Washington Road, and will include 132 units of affordable housing. Continue reading
