Princeton Needs At Least 900 Affordable Homes…But Where And How?

Posted on April 29, 2014 by walkableprinceton
franklin1

These little houses make up an affordable housing project that was built at Franklin Avenue, Princeton, in the 1930s. They may be redeveloped as a modernized affordable development in the near future. (Click to expand.)

The Witherspoon-Jackson Neighbors’ Association heard last Saturday from affordable housing advocates, as the issue of Princeton’s housing imbalance came up once more. Surprisingly, Princeton has a number of income-restricted homes available to buy, but there have been no takers! Homes in Washington Oaks are available from $81,216.00 – $117,807.00, and in Griggs Farm for a similar rate. Why is nobody buying them? Is it because they don’t know about them? Or does it reflect the situation of working people, who can’t commit to even a reasonably-priced unit like this? Many people are renting who might do better trying to buy their own place. And the situation for renters is dire. Market rates are through the roof, and the waiting list for affordable units is measured in years. How many units would it take to make a substantial difference? Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Density, Princeton, Smart Growth, Zoning | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Princeton Can Easily Gather More Money From The University…Here’s How.

Posted on April 23, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Princeton University's campus. (click to expand.)

Princeton University campus, just off Nassau Street. (click to expand.)

This week, we are awaiting the announcement of a new agreement detailing the amount of financial support that Princeton University will contribute to Princeton’s municipal finances. The amount of money that Princeton University gives the town is a regular source of discussion and controversy. In 2013, the University offered a ‘voluntary payment’ of $2.475 million to the town, up from a sum of about $200,000 to the former Borough and Township in 2003. There are still many people in the town who demand that the University should pay more.  Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, People, Princeton, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Zoning | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The ‘New York Times’ Doubles Down On Walkable Suburban Places

Posted on April 21, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Apartments next to the Princeton Public Library. (click to expand.)

Apartments next to the Princeton Public Library. (click to expand.)

The ‘New York Times’ has picked up on the growing demand for walkable paces with a pair of articles in less than a week. The first, ‘Suburbs Try to Prevent an Exodus as Young Adults Move to Cities and Stay‘, discusses the growing trend for young adults to move out of suburban towns like Princeton to big cities to study or seek work opportunities. In many cases, they don’t come back. Continue reading →

Posted in Density, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Zoning | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Princeton’s 2014 Democratic Party Candidates Discuss Walkable Living

Posted on March 26, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Princeton Democratic Party Candidates for Council 2014- left to right- Jo Butler, Bernie Miller, Sue Nemeth. (Click to expand.)

Princeton Democratic Party Candidates for Council- left to right- Jo Butler, Bernie Miller, Sue Nemeth. (Click to expand.)

Princeton is scheduled to elect two Council members this November. The Princeton Community Democratic Organization will meet Sunday March 30 to endorse candidates ahead of their Primary in June. We got in touch with the Democratic Party candidates ahead of this key meeting, to get their opinions on three questions relating to walkable living in Princeton. The candidates are incumbent Council Member Jo Butler, the current Council President, Bernie Miller, and Sue Nemeth,who was previously Deputy Mayor of the old Princeton Township. Their answers are below, and we hope that they will help voters in making their decision about who to endorse! The candidates clearly took some time to give thoughtful answers, and we thank them for being so forthcoming. (Note: ‘Walkable Princeton’ will not be making an endorsement.)

Continue reading →

Posted in Density, People, Princeton, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Traffic, Zoning | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Forty-One Residents In Six Downtown Princeton Apartments? We’re Not Surprised.

Posted on March 21, 2014 by walkableprinceton
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A sign at Princeton’s ‘House of Cupcakes’ on Witherspoon Street shows that the store is closed after a recent fire. (click to expand.)

A recent fire at Princeton’s famous ‘House of Cupcakes’ on Witherspoon Street resulted in the evacuation of six nearby downtown apartments. Fortunately, there were no injuries to residents, although many commentators were surprised that the six apartments were home to no fewer than 41 residents. But why the surprise? Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Density, Princeton, Smart Growth, Traffic, Zoning | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Report: New Jersey Road Maintenance Costs Are The Highest In The Nation

Posted on March 20, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Drakes Corner Road in Princeton: New Jersey roads are the most costly in the nation to maintain. (click to expand.)

Drakes Corner Road in Princeton: New Jersey roads are the most costly in the nation to maintain. (click to expand.)

Princeton is facing a bill of around $1 million for emergency road repairs after snow plows cut up roads this winter, leaving drivers facing a course of potholes. Meanwhile, a resurfacing project getting underway on Route 206 in Princeton is going to cost another $1.1 million. That means that $2.2 million of taxpayer money will be spent on two road maintenance projects alone. If that seems like a lot, remember this: New Jersey roads are the most expensive in the nation to maintain. Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Princeton, Sustainability, Traffic | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

Somerville, NJ Now Has A Thriving Downtown Pedestrian Street. Could It Work In Princeton too?

Posted on March 17, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Pedestrians explore Division Street in Somerville free from motorized vehicles. (Click to expand.)

Pedestrians explore Division Street in Somerville, free from motorized vehicles. The ‘Guinness Tent’ used for St Patrick’s Day is in the background. (Click to expand.)

Somerville, NJ just celebrated their 23rd Annual St Patrick’s Day Parade with a street festival that included a party at a ‘Guinness Tent’ on Division Street. What makes Division Street such a perfect venue for a community gathering like this?? It’s a pedestrian-only street, a rarity in New Jersey. And its success shows that it is possible to give an entire street over to people in a New Jersey town, bringing vibrant street life and strengthening local businesses.

Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown Vibrancy, Local, Placemaking, The Parking Question, Walking | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Giant Rats Occupy Square In Front Of Princeton Town Hall To Protest Apartment Plan

Posted on March 11, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Union men inspect their giant rat outside the 400 Witherspoon municipal building in Princeton on Monday night, March 10, 2014. (click to expand.)

Union men inspect their giant rat outside Princeton Town Hall on Monday night, March 10, 2014. (click to expand.)

Two giant rats have joined the protests against the redevelopment of Princeton’s old hospital as apartments. The 15ft-tall inflatable rodents were unveiled by demonstrators from a labor union. “Don’t ask me, I just blow up the rat,” was the response from one of the protestors when asked what it was all about. Another union man pointed out that they were objecting to the use of non-union labor for stripping the old hospital of asbestos. The rats came out to coincide with a Princeton Council meeting, which was expected to decide the exact terms by which the demolition and redevelopment could occur. Continue reading →

Posted in Placemaking, Princeton, Smart Growth | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Could a ‘Village’ of ‘Tiny Houses’ Open The Door To Greater Affordability in Princeton?

Posted on March 10, 2014 by walkableprinceton
A tiny house, as advertised at Neighborland. (Click to expand.)

A ‘tiny house’, as advertised at Neighborland. (Click to expand.)

During the recent Princeton Environmental Film Festival, a documentary shed light on the ‘Tiny House’ movement, an ongoing trend for people to live in houses that are much smaller than usual. These homes, which are typically in the rage of 35o sq ft to 800 sq ft, are often constructed by the occupants themselves. The demand is so great that materials for the little houses can now be ordered as a kit, such as this model from ‘Tumbleweed Homes’. The cost of construction can be as little as $30,000, assuming you’re good with a hammer and nail. Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, architecture, how-to-add-density, Real estate, Sustainability | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Princeton U. Should Ask Some Serious Questions About Their Disappearing Professors

Posted on March 4, 2014 by walkableprinceton
Suburban amenities of Princeton's Western Section are not enough to hold Nobel laureate Alan Krugman. (Click to expand,)

The suburban amenities and open space of Princeton’s Western Section are not enough to hold Nobel laureate Paul Krugman. (Click to expand,)

Professor Paul Krugman, recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Economics, and Professor of Economics and International Affairs at the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University, has announced he is leaving Princeton. Writing in his New York Times column, Krugman announced he is moving to New York where he will take up a position at City University. Krugman joins a host of senior Princeton U. faculty who have recently quit the University, and his stated reasons ought to give the University cause for concern. Continue reading →

Posted in Placemaking, Princeton, Smart Growth | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment