Picture of Juan Francisco Guerra Galvez, who was killed by a car driver in Princeton earlier this year
The Guatemalan Consulate in Philadelphia has issued a public call for information to try to trace the family of Juan Francisco Guerra Galvez, who died after being struck by a motor vehicle in Princeton earlier this year.
Rendering of the proposed new sign at the Princeton Shopping Center Mall
At a meeting on April 3, the Princeton Planning Board approved an application by the owners of the Princeton Shopping Center to put up a sign saying “Princeton Shopping Center” at the Princeton Shopping Center (map). If you think that must have been a quick meeting, you would be mistaken. Signs are strictly regulated by local ordinances, and the meeting lasted 3 1/2 hours. It was, in fact, the second hearing that the management firm, Edens LLC, had to attend in their efforts to update signage at the 1950s-era mall. The previous meeting, on November 7, 2024, lasted 2 hrs 38 mins.
Rendering of the new Princeton University Art Museum building. Via artmuseum.princeton.edu
The Princeton University Art Museum will re-open in its new building on October 31, 2025. The University made the announcement this week, giving everyone in the town something to look forward to! The Art Museum closed during the COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020, and stayed closed for a planned redevelopment of the site. After removal of all the artworks, the old museum building was demolished, and has been replaced with a new structure to showcase the University’s collection, described as “117,000 objects representing over five thousand years of human creativity”.
The University’s announcement highlight the features of the new 144,000 sq ft facility. With three levels, nine interlocking pavilions, galleries, classrooms, “artworks” and classroom space, it promises to be one of the most interesting places to explore in New Jersey.
It hasn’t all been smooth sailing though. The project was originally supposed to be done in 2024, and around halfway through construction, the lead architect, David Adjaye, was the subject of allegations of sexual assault, and was dropped from other big commissions. The design of the building has also been sniffed at by some pundits, to the extent that architecture student Kayleen Gowers felt moved to write a defense of it before it has even opened (“Why the Art Museum deserves a second look“).
Opening Day itself looks set to be a big party. In an interview with “The Art Newspaper”, museum director James Steward envisioned a “24-hour open house”, featuring “a dance party, yoga, spoken-word poetry, curator-led tours and a film screening as part of the all-night affair.” Steward also said that the Princeton Hometown Halloween parade, which is normally organized by the Princeton Arts Council, will end this year at the new Art Museum, to help celebrate the opening and make for a family-friendly event.
Part of the Johnson Trolley Line Trail in Princeton
Princeton residents have a chance to comment on two important Mercer County planning initiatives relating to trails and street safety. Public comment for both of them closes at the end of March, so now is a great time to get your comments in!
Promotional Image for Princeton “Walk & Wheel Wednesdays” campaign
Princeton Public School students are being encouraged to skip the car line at least one day a week, as part of a new campaign launched by Parent-Teacher Organizations and local allies. ‘Walk & Wheel Wednesdays’ aims to “to encourage students to walk or ride their bike, scooter, etc. or ride the bus to school every Wednesday this Spring.” It will be celebrated for the first time on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
NJ gubernatorial hopeful Mikie Sherrill speaks at the Democratic candidate debate
New Jersey will elect a new governor in November, and potential voters got a chance to get to know the candidates a little better on Sunday at the first Democratic Primary Debate. The debate, which happened at Rider University in Lawrenceville, featured candidates Steve Sweeney, Ras Baraka, Steve Fulop, Mikie Sherrill, and Josh Gottheimer. (See profiles of the candidates here, via northjersey.com: “Who is running for New Jersey governor in 2025?”) The debate covered a wide range of topics, but the issues of housing and transit generated significant discussion, with the candidates resolving to improve affordability and get NJ Transit working better. But when it came to actually providing concrete solutions, it wasn’t always clear that all of the candidates had realistic plans in mind.
Princeton University completed this substantial addition to the Dillon Gymnasium in 2024
As others review the year, we at ‘Walkable Princeton’ are looking forward, to a new year, which looks certain to be eventful. There will be a new President, and a fiercely-contested election for NJ Governor, but what will happen in Princeton and the local area? Here are ten predictions for the year ahead…and don’t forget to scroll down for a review of our predictions from last year!!
State Senator Troy Singleton, left, and the Princeton Jewish Center, right.
“I firmly believe that their arguments will be struck down.” That was the view of State Senator Troy Singleton (D-Burlington), referring to a lawsuit from twenty-six New Jersey towns who are suing to try to put a halt to the state’s affordable housing requirements. Singleton was speaking at an event on November 14 co-hosted by three Princeton-area synagogues, to discuss New Jersey’s affordable housing process for the period of 2025 – 2035. As in previous years, the state is requiring most towns to build affordable homes. The number of homes to be built in each town is calculated based on a formula in a new state law, which was passed earlier this year. Senator Singleton was a lead author on the new legislation, and was able to give insight into how and why it was passed.
A new buffered bike lane on Harrison Street in Princeton next to ‘The Alice’ apartment development
Princeton Council heard a presentation at their meeting on November 12 from consultants hired to study safety improvements to Harrison Street. Harrison St runs almost the entire length of the town from north to south (map), making for a very lengthy and detailed report. A previous report in ‘Town Topics’ discussed the consultants’ concepts for new roundabouts at the intersections of Harrison St with Prospect Ave, Valley Road, Terhune Road and Bunn Drive. The Mayor and several members of Council expressed surprise and trepidation at the scale of the report, which they had not had much time to read. Mayor Freda suggested that there would need to be multiple work sessions to discuss the potential improvements, which would be phased over a period of years. But improvements are likely to start more quickly on the section of Harrison St between Nassau St and Franklin Ave.
walkableprinceton 