Green Design In Princeton Means More Than Solar Panels

Posted on December 18, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Features of a Green Building, via Lanefab Design. (click to expand.)

Features of a Green Building, via Lanefab Design. (click to expand.)

Recent debates over redevelopment in Princeton have focused on how ‘green’ new buildings might be. This is an appropriate question in a town that prides itself on being a sustainability leader in New Jersey. But what does ‘green’ look like? Recently, NRG Inc unveiled a new plan for a so-called ‘ultra-green’ headquarters in West Windsor. But despite some outstanding energy-efficiency measures in the building itself, the site is still in a sprawl-y office park that is mostly accessed by single passenger vehicle. A great article recently in Planetizen discussed the features of a sustainable building, noting that site selection is as important as site design. As shown in the graphic above, ‘Green Bling’ like solar panels is only one part of what makes a building sustainable. Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, planning, Princeton, Sustainability, Zoning | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Thumbs Up To Sidewalk Detour On Witherspoon Street!

Posted on December 17, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Sidewalk detour on Witherspoon Street. (click to expand.)

Sidewalk detour on Witherspoon Street. (click to expand.)

One of Princeton’s best restaurants, Elements, is moving into the old UPS space on Witherspoon Street opposite Princeton Public Library. The new restaurant complex will unite the existing small plates place, Mistral, with Elements under one roof, with a new bar that is probably going to be pretty fantastic. But as the fitting continues inside, we are admiring this sidewalk detour that has been set up around the construction zone.  Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton, Walking | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

‘Cafe 44’ Closes At 44 Leigh Avenue, Will Re-open In Tortugas Space.

Posted on December 16, 2014 by walkableprinceton
The old Cafe 44 location at 44 Leigh Ave in Princeton (click to expand).

The old Cafe 44 location at 44 Leigh Ave in Princeton (click to expand).

Cafe 44, which has become a local favorite in the Witherspoon-John neighborhood in Princeton, has closed its doors at the 44 Leigh Avenue location. The eatery will move across the road to share a space with ‘Tortugas Mexican Village‘ restaurant. Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Princeton’s Proposed “7-11 Law” Might Be A Plus For Walkable Living

Posted on December 14, 2014 by walkableprinceton
The Old West Coast Video Site at East Nassau Street in Princeton, which may become a 7-11. (click to expand.)

The Old West Coast Video Site at East Nassau Street in Princeton, which may become a 7-11. (click to expand.)

Faced with the possibility of a 24-hour 7-11 convenience store opening in the old West Coast Video Site at 259 Nassau Street, Princeton Council has rushed through a new municipal ordinance to ban 24-hour opening in town. The proposed ordinance, which includes a bunch of carve-outs for certain favored businesses, is likely to be approved at the Council meeting tonight. (Update 12/16/14 – the ordinance was indeed passed.) Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton, Zoning | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Some Thoughts On Zoning Reform On Witherspoon Street

Posted on December 3, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Witherspoon Street in Princeton in 2014. (click to expand.)

Witherspoon Street in Princeton in 2014. Nassau Hall of Princeton University can be seen in the distance. (click to expand.)

Princeton Council is considering amending the zoning along Witherspoon Street, one of Princeton’s major thoroughfares, which runs from Nassau Hall in the south to Valley Road in the north. Almost every form of activity in Princeton happens on Witherspoon Street, and right now, it has almost every form of zoning as well. It might make sense to harmonize the zoning, now that the Borough/Township line no longer cuts Witherspoon Street in two. But what would be the purpose of change? With so much history around it, there is a case for keeping things the way they are. But reform could also protect and enhance several features of Witherspoon Street.  Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Alternative Transportation, Community, Complete Streets, Density, Downtown Vibrancy, how-to-add-density, Local, Placemaking, planning, Princeton, Real estate, Smart Growth, The Parking Question, Zoning | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

True Sustainability On Linden Lane In Princeton

Posted on November 25, 2014 by walkableprinceton
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Construction at 89 Linden Lane in Princeton. (click to expand)

Earlier this week, local architect Kirsten Thoft was awarded LEED-Platinum designation for her new home on Linden Lane. Linden Lane looks set to become the LEED capital of Princeton, because just up the street, another home is set to achieve LEED-Platinum status. At a ‘Behind the Drywall’ tour this weekend, we saw how one local resident has planned a truly sustainable home.

Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, how-to-add-density, People, planning, Princeton, Real estate, Smart Growth, Sustainability | Tagged , | Leave a comment

New NRG Headquarters In West Windsor: Would It Be Truly ‘Ultra-Green’ If It Was In Trenton?

Posted on November 25, 2014 by walkableprinceton
West Windsor specializes in single-use land planning and office parks like this, which contribute to car dependence and global warming. The new NRG headquarters looks to be more of the same. (click to expand.)

A typical West Windsor office park. (click to expand.) For a rendering of the proposed NRG HQ, see here.

This week, NRG Energy, Inc announced plans to build a new headquarters in Princeton. Actually, it’s at the Carnegie Center in West Windsor. But the bigger question is whether the new headquarters will live up to its billing as an ‘ultra-green’ development. The development is described as ‘carbon-neutral’, but this label ignores the impact of transportation. Is a building really ‘carbon-neutral’ if hundreds of people drive cars to it every day?

Continue reading →

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A Walk Around Princeton’s “Copperwood” Apartments

Posted on November 24, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Copperwood Apartments in Princeton. (Click to expand)

Copperwood Apartments in Princeton. (Click to expand)

‘Copperwood’, a significant apartment development on Bunn Drive in Princeton, opened at the end of the summer. As of now, most of the 153 units are still unoccupied, giving a good chance to take a walk around and see the new buildings.

Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, Princeton, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Transit, Walking | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Princeton Community Lantern Walk, November 15, 2014

Posted on November 16, 2014 by walkableprinceton
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Participants in the 2014 Princeton Community Lantern Walk on Palmer Square. (click to expand)

Every year, the Waldorf School of Princeton organizes a “Lantern Walk” for its students and their families. The event is a continuation of a European tradition celebrating the life of St Martin, and also reflects worldwide ‘festivals of lights’ that take place in many cultures around this time of year. This year, the Waldorf School helped organize a Lantern Walk in downtown Princeton that was open to the whole Princeton Community. You can read all about it here. On Saturday night, around 200 people processed around Princeton carrying lanterns, through the University, Palmer Square, and other historic points of interest in the downtown. Click through the photos below for more details.

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Posted in Community, Princeton, Walking | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Dear Princeton Walkability Advocates: Please Consider Applying For Municipal Committee Positions Now!

Posted on November 14, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Princeton area residents at Communiversity 2012, via Princeton Arts Council

Now is the time to apply for municipal committee positions if you want to help make Princeton more walkable.

Do you want to see a more walkable Princeton? Do you think our streets are too dangerous for walkers and cyclists? Are you concerned about affordable housing? Have you ever considered what Princeton could do to stop Climate Change? If so, the town is offering an opportunity right now to do something about it… Continue reading →

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