Monthly Archives: December 2013

Princeton’s Three Consolidations Leave Unfinished Business For 2014

Posted on December 31, 2013 by walkableprinceton

As Princeton looks to a New Year, it also marks a landmark: one year as a consolidated municipality. New Jersey’s absurd number of self-governing municipalities (565 at the last count) reduced by one on Jan 1, 2013 when Princeton Borough … Continue reading →

Posted in Density, Princeton, Smart Growth, Zoning | Tagged Mercer County New Jersey, New Jersey, Princeton, School Board | Leave a comment

New Year’s Resolution: Stop For Princeton School Crossing Guards

Posted on December 30, 2013 by walkableprinceton

What is the most dangerous job in the Princeton area? Cop? Firefighter? More likely the title belongs to the humble school crossing guard. Every morning, these people step quite literally in harm’s way in an attempt to enforce safe routes … Continue reading →

Posted in Complete Streets, Local, Princeton, Traffic, Walking | Tagged Crossing guard, Occupational safety and health | Leave a comment

Mixed-Use ‘Village’ In West Windsor Gets Go-Ahead

Posted on December 20, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Realtors suggest that walkable housing is in great demand. Transit experts recommend higher density development near transit to prevent further road congestion. And now West Windsor has stepped up by approving a mixed-use development across the road from Princeton Junction … Continue reading →

Posted in Density, Downtown Vibrancy, Local, Real estate, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Transit, Zoning | Tagged Central Jersey, Plainsboro Township New Jersey, Princeton, Princeton Junction, West Windsor | 2 Comments

Parking In Princeton Is Plentiful – Just Make It Predictable.

Posted on December 19, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Is it hard to get parked in Princeton? Not really. There are plenty of parking spaces in Princeton. So why does our downtown become blocked with drivers trying to find parking spaces? It’s because we make parking chaotic and unpredictable.

Posted in Downtown Vibrancy, The Parking Question, Traffic | Tagged Black Friday, Palmer Square, Parking, Princeton, Six Flags | 2 Comments

Free Parking Can’t Save Central Jersey Malls- Even On Black Friday

Posted on December 18, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Cross posted at Strong Towns Network. On Black Friday- traditionally a day marked by a surge of post-Thanksgiving shopping- our friends at http://www.strongtowns.org launched a nationwide appeal for members to send in photos of parking lots in their local areas. … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown Vibrancy, Local, Princeton, Smart Growth, The Parking Question, Zoning | Tagged Black Friday, Central Jersey, Lincoln Highway, New Jersey | 5 Comments

Princeton Community Housing Annual Report: Progress, But Much Work To Do.

Posted on December 17, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Princeton Community Housing is the largest organization providing affordable housing in Princeton. Their 2012 Annual Report, titled ‘Celebration and Opportunity’ offers an insight into the operations of the non-profit, including detailed breakdowns of their different communities, and resident profiles. We … Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Princeton | Tagged Affordable housing, Council on Affordable Housing, Douglas Massey, Princeton, Princeton Community Housing | 1 Comment

‘The B Home’ And How We Build Houses In Princeton

Posted on December 16, 2013 by walkableprinceton

What is a house? In Princeton, it’s typically a one/two story structure with a sloping roof and some ornamental shutters that don’t actually close (see also ‘The Princeton‘ model from stack ’em housing constructor, Toll Brothers). However, occasionally, an innovator … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, People, Princeton, Sustainability | Tagged Affordable housing, Arcology, Princeton, Soleri | Leave a comment

Homes For Diversity And Inclusivity Part 3: Subdivide Large Lots.

Posted on December 13, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Princeton planning and zoning has had unintended exclusionary outcomes, making it hard for local middle-class workers to live in town, and incentivizing car-dependency and traffic. In this series, we explore options for adding more walkable housing in Princeton to enable diversity … Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, how-to-add-density, Smart Growth, Zoning | Tagged Princeton, Walkability | 4 Comments

Who Needs A Car To Haul A Christmas Tree??

Posted on December 12, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Cross-posted at Strong Towns Network. Compact, walkable development reduces municipal infrastructure costs, builds the tax base, and allows for efficient, green, car-free transportation. On the other hand, it has been argued that compact walkable housing does not reduce traffic, because … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Biking, Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton, Sustainability, Walking | Tagged Christmas tree, Peapod | 5 Comments

New Princeton Circulation Element Proposes Reopening Province Line Road To Cars

Posted on December 11, 2013 by walkableprinceton

The bridge you see in the photograph above provides a crossing over the Stony Brook on Province Line Road in Princeton. It was built in Berlin, Connecticut in 1903 and is the longest of three surviving Warren pony truss bridges … Continue reading →