Princeton’s In-Town Living Scene Gets Profiled In ‘The New York Post’

View of Princeton Public LIbrary and Hinds Plaza from the 'Residences At Palmer Square', one of several downtown living developments highlighted by 'The New York Post' in a recent article about Princeton. (click to expand)

View of Princeton Public LIbrary and Hinds Plaza from the ‘Residences At Palmer Square’, one of several downtown living developments highlighted by ‘The New York Post’ in a recent article about Princeton. (click to expand)

From College Town To Boom Town” – that’s the description of Princeton that ran earlier this week in the ‘New York Post’. This venerable news organ  took the time to profile our town, highlighting how downtown living has become a major growth area. Several local realtors were quoted, describing how walkable living has become a major growth area.

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Posted in Affordability, Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton, Real estate | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Princeton Forrestal Village Set To Welcome New Homes

Village Boulevard at Princeton Forrestal Village. (click to expand.)

Village Boulevard at Princeton Forrestal Village. (click to expand.)

People looking for a place to live in the Princeton area that is walkable to stores and restaurants will soon have a pretty great new option. The management company of Princeton Forrestal Village, located in Plainsboro just off Route 1, have announced that 394 new apartments will be added to the site. Continue reading

Posted in Density, Downtown Vibrancy, Local, People, Placemaking, planning, Princeton, Real estate, Smart Growth | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Tiny Houses In Real Life.

Minim House, via Boneyard Studios (click to expand).

Minim House, via Boneyard Studios (click to expand).

Princeton resident Anne Neumann wrote an article in the “Princeton Packet” last week singing the praises of ‘Tiny Houses’. Long-time ‘Walkable Prineton’ readers will remember that we have written about micro-apartments and the Tiny House movement several times in the past, and it’s great to see the concept get more exposure. But are Tiny Houses a realistic solution to urban housing problems, like those faced in Princeton? Continue reading

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Why Do Some Students Reject Offers From Princeton University?

Despite its outstanding reputation, students are regularly turning down offers to study at Princeton U. in order to go to other schools. (click to expand.)

Despite its outstanding reputation, students are regularly turning down offers to study at Princeton U. in order to go to other schools. (click to expand.)

Princeton University has a #1 university rating from US News, a beautiful walkable campus, and offers amazing financial support to its students. But given the choice, students are choosing to attend Harvard, Yale, Stanford or even the University of Chicago instead. Why are students turning down Princeton U?

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New Trail On Princeton’s Quaker Road Offers Picturesque Views

The multi-use trail on Quaker Road in Princeton was recently substantially extended (click to expand)

The multi-use trail on Quaker Road in Princeton was recently substantially extended (click to expand)

As part of a recent resurfacing project on Quaker Road in Princeton, a gravel trail for pedestrians and cyclists has been significantly extended, linking the D&R canal trail to trails in the Institute Woods. The new path is a substantial amenity for people who want to explore this beautiful corner of Princeton on foot. But some questions remain about how useful the trail will be for cyclists and people in wheelchairs. Continue reading

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Biking, Complete Streets, Princeton, Trails, Walking | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

AvalonBay Launches New Website For Their Princeton Apartment Construction Project

Screenshot of the new AvalonBay 'AvalonPrinceton' website, which has just launched. (via www.avalonprinceton.com)

Screenshot of the new AvalonBay ‘Avalon Princeton’ website, which has just launched. (via http://www.avalonprinceton.com)

Housing developer AvalonBay, having recently signed off on a contentious developer’s agreement with the town of Princeton, has launched a new website to inform local residents about the apartment construction project.  Continue reading

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Construction Shows Distance Between Old And New Princeton ‘Dinky’ Rail Stations

The old and the new: with construction moving along, the distance between the new and old Princeton Dinky train stations can be seen in real life. (click to expand)

The old and the new: with construction moving along, the distance between the new and old Princeton Dinky train stations can be seen in real life. (click to expand)

As construction continues on Princeton University’s new addition on Alexander Street, local residents can now see for themselves how far apart the new Princeton rail station will be from the old station at University Place. The relocation of the ‘Dinky’ station has been controversial in the town, in part because moving the station further away from downtown will mean a longer walk for people accessing the station by foot or bicycle. On the other hand, supporters of the project have argued that the extra distance is not particularly burdensome.

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

Massive Houses On Mt Lucas Drive In Princeton Are A Feature Of Zoning, Not ‘Conservative Values’.

Another old home in Princeton's Mt Lucas Drive gets demolished for new-build construction. Summer of 2014. (click to expand.)

Another old home in Princeton’s Mt Lucas Drive gets demolished for new-build construction, summer of 2014. (click to expand.)

Princeton’s ‘Town Topics’ newspaper is running a great series about housing in Princeton, which this week focused on Mount Lucas Drive, at the northern end of the former Township. Here, many old houses from the 1950s – 1960s are being demolished and replaced with larger, new-build homes that usually sell for a greatly-increased price. This is a trend which is seen all over town. The ‘Topics’ report featured a local resident- a self-described ‘diehard conservative’- who cheerfully endorsed the changes in the neighborhood, based on his strong belief in property rights. But replacing old homes with ‘McMansions’ is rarely an expression of conservative values. It is instead a result of government interference in its most blatant form.

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Grafitti-Style Art Installation Coming To Princeton’s Paul Robeson Center

Riders inspect a mural of Mahatma Ghandi during the Trenton Social Ride. 'Ghandi Garden' is a project of the S.A.G.E. coalition, who are planning a mural at Princeton's Paul Robeson Center. (click to expand).

Riders inspect a mural of Mahatma Ghandi during the Trenton Social Ride. ‘Ghandi Garden’ is a project of the S.A.G.E. coalition, who are planning a mural at Princeton’s Paul Robeson Center. (click to expand).

Princeton’s Paul Robeson Art Center, at Witherspoon and Paul Robeson Place, is planning a new art installation. This piece will be on the building itself- Princeton Arts Council have commissioned the S.A.G.E. Coalition, an arts collective based out of Trenton, to provide the work. Continue reading

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Gourmet Burger Joint ’30 Burgers’ Opens In Princeton

'30 Burgers', which opened last week at Nassau Street in downtown Princeton. (click to expand.)

’30 Burgers’, which opened last week at Nassau Street in downtown Princeton. (click to expand.)

A new gourmet burger joint has opened in Princeton. ’30 Burgers’ has arrived, bringing a wealth of burger choices to the space next to Labyrinth Books at 124-128 Nassau Street. Continue reading

Posted in Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments