Run The Princeton Dinky Train To Trenton

Posted on January 16, 2020 by

The Princeton ‘Dinky’ train, at its terminus at Princeton Junction. (click to expand)

NJ Transit is reportedly considering options for upgrading service on the ‘Dinky’ rail line, which currently runs 2.7 miles from Princeton rail station on Alexander Street, to the main line station at Princeton Junction, in West Windsor. The study will consider replacing the existing Arrow III trainsets with some kind of bus. Adding infill stations along the route is also under consideration. This possibility of adding extra stations would help Princeton University connect their new development in West Windsor to the historic campus, or provide opportunities for remote employee parking. But the Dinky study should be used as an opportunity to help address the transit needs of the town. One option, which is not currently being considered, would be to run the Dinky train to Trenton. Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, planning, Transit | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Ten Predictions For Princeton in 2020!

Posted on December 31, 2019 by

The campus of Westminster Choir College in Princeton is likely to be in the news in 2020. (click to expand)

It’s that time of year for some guesses about what is likely to be in the news in Princeton in the next 12 months! It’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future, and in Princeton things often happen more slowly than could reasonably be expected. But some of these things are likely to happen, if not in 2020, then sometime soon. Also, check out which of our 2019 predictions came true – they are listed at the bottom – and we got 5 out of 10 right!! Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Alternative Transportation, Biking, Complete Streets, Local, planning, Princeton, The Parking Question | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Revised Princeton Affordable Housing Plan Envisages Over 700 New Homes

Posted on December 18, 2019 by

Council Member David Cohen gets ready to unveil the town of Prineton’s new affordable housing plan (click to expand).

The town of Princeton has released its new affordable housing plan (link here). The plan envisages over 700 new units of housing, which must be in development by 2025, to comply with state housing laws. Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Density, Downtown Vibrancy, how-to-add-density, planning, Princeton, Zoning | Leave a comment

Town Of Princeton On Brink Of New Affordable Housing Settlement

Posted on December 6, 2019 by

Mercer County Courthouse, in Trenton, NJ. (Click to expand)

A deal to settle the town of Princeton’s requirement for state-mandated affordable housing is expected to be finalized in the next few days. That’s what the town of Princeton’s attorney, Kevin Van Hise, told Judge Mary Jacobson at a hearing on Wednesday. The town will brief municipal committees on the outline of the deal next week, with a public hearing expected before Christmas.

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How Transit Could Guide Future Housing Construction in Princeton and New Jersey

Posted on November 7, 2019 by

An NJ Transit train arriving at Raritan station. (click to expand)

The question of where Princeton will add new affordable housing looks set to be answered in the coming weeks, with the town’s attorney describing negotiations on a housing settlement as “in the final stretch“. The addition of new affordable housing is necessary to comply with state law and to provide homes for people who live and work in the Princeton area. The sites for new housing in other towns often seem poorly planned, however, such as the plan that was passed by West Windsor last year, which envisioned several large apartment blocks in fields that are not particularly close to anything. Several of these sites are likely to be very dependent on car use, further reinforcing planning based around cars and traffic. Is there a better way? A proposal from a local planner (author of “A Smart Growth Vision for the Princeton Region“) potentially offers an alternative.

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Measuring Traffic Delay From the Alexander Street Bridge Closure

Posted on November 4, 2019 by

Construction beginning to replace bridges on Alexander Street in Princeton, October 2019 (click to expand)

For several months, Princeton elected officials, business leaders, police and local media have been warning about what is assumed will be a minor disaster: the closure of Alexander Street to allow replacement of defunct bridges over the Stony Brook and D&R canal. The fear seems reasonable. Alexander Street is used for approximately 8,000 daily motor vehicle trips. If those vehicles cannot use Alexander Street, it is assumed that they will move to other roads, and cause traffic chaos there. But how bad is it really going to be? We set out to measure traffic before and after the closure of the road.
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Planning Board To Vote On New Princeton Univ. Residential Colleges

Posted on October 16, 2019 by

Rendering of proposed new Princeton University Residential Colleges #7 and #8. (click to expand)

The Princeton Planning Board will meet on Thursday night (October 17) to discuss what is likely to be one of the largest developments in town in the coming decade. Princeton University is proposing to build two new residential colleges, to allow an expansion in their undergraduate body. The new site plans suggest a modern look for the colleges, designed by Deborah Berke Partners, consistent with the ‘concept plant’ discussed earlier this year. Continue reading →

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