Princeton University Should Not Be Allowed To Ban Cycling On Alexander Street

Posted on November 26, 2013 by walkableprinceton
This unusual sign that has appeared on the Alexander Street 'temporary walking path' seems to indicate that cyclists must walk their bikes. (click to expand.)

This unusual sign that has appeared on the Alexander Street ‘temporary walking path’ seems to indicate that cyclists must walk their bikes. (click to expand.)

Princeton was recently certified as a ‘bike friendly community’, an award that should be cause for celebration but instead has raised questions about whether the town is really doing enough to make cycling a viable alternative to car use. Despite a low percentage of trips made by bicycle compared to other college towns, Princeton is slowly but surely becoming more organized about developing infrastructure for local cyclists. But a new development at the Princeton University ‘Arts and Transit’ construction zone on Alexander Street gives cause for concern about how seriously the town takes cycling as a potential mode of transportation. Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Biking, Complete Streets, Princeton, Walking | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Washington Post Calls Princeton A ‘Super-Zip’, But Highlights Issues Of Living In Paradise…

Posted on November 25, 2013 by walkableprinceton
The Central Jersey 'Super-Zip', as described by a special report in the Washington Post, includes Princeton, Plainsboro, Montgomery and communities west to Doylestown, PA. (Click to expand.)

The Central Jersey ‘Super-Zip’, as described by a special report in the Washington Post, includes Princeton (in red border), West Windsor, Montgomery and communities west to Doylestown, PA. (Click to expand.)

What connects Princeton, West Windsor, Hopewell and Doylestown, PA? According to the Washington Post, they are all part of a regional cluster of  ‘Super-Zips’. The Post analyzed all US zip-code areas to rank them on a scale of 0-99 based on household income and percentage of adults with college degrees. The top 5% are ‘Super-Zips’. Princeton, Skillman, and Pennington all reached this category. Plainsboro and Lawrence township narrowly missed out. What does it mean to live in a Super-Zip? Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Local, Princeton | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Princeton Task Force: “Expect Alexander Street Traffic To Double”

Posted on November 22, 2013 by walkableprinceton
The old Delta gas station at Alexander and Faculty Road on a quiet Sunday afternoon. But rush hour traffic is expected to become overwhelming in the near future. (Click to expand.)

The old Delta gas station at Alexander and Faculty Road on a quiet Sunday afternoon. But rush hour traffic is expected to become overwhelming in the near future. (Click to expand.)

Princeton’s attention is focused on potential changes to the Dinky train line, but the committee tasked with examining traffic and transit on Alexander Street is also developing an all-new traffic model for Princeton. The so-called ‘Alexander Street / University Place Traffic and Transit Task Force’ recently hosted a public meeting at the Carl Fields Center at Princeton University. In addition to proposals to upgrade the Dinky with a streetcar, light rail, or Bus Rapid Transit, the group of residents who attended also heard alarming projections about traffic along the key Alexander Street corridor. Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Complete Streets, Density, Events, Princeton, Sustainability, Traffic, Transit, Walking, Zoning | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Princeton’s Crazy, Mazy Alexander Street Walk-O-Rama!

Posted on November 21, 2013 by walkableprinceton
signs1

Princeton University has doubled-down on signs around the Arts & Transit construction site. (Click to expand.)

Construction of Princeton University’s ‘Arts and Transit‘ project has vexed people commuting by car into Princeton along Alexander Street, and sparked revolt from fans of the Dinky train line. But we haven’t heard much about pedestrians along Alexander Street. For many students and local residents, their regular walk to work or class has been transformed into an ever-changing magical mystery tour of diversions, fencing and a remarkable array of signage (see photo above).

Continue reading →

Posted in Princeton, Walking | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Beautiful Walkable Princeton: Greenway Meadows Poetry Trail

Posted on November 20, 2013 by walkableprinceton
In the fall, the D&R 'Greenway' becomes coloreed with mottled tan and brown colors. (Click to expand.)

In the fall, the ‘Greenway Meadows’ adopts seasonal shades of tan and brown. (Click to expand.)

This post is part of a series where we celebrate the many beautiful and characterful sights of Princeton, NJ. You can find previous entries in this series here and here or by searching our site for ‘beautiful walkable Princeton’.

Just off Rosedale Road in Western Princeton, a beautiful park surrounds the Johnson Education Center of the D&R Greenway Land Trust. 60 acres of open space are available for Continue reading →

Posted in Beautiful Walkable Princeton | 6 Comments

Cycling Advocate Questions Decision To Award Princeton ‘Bike-Friendly’ Status

Posted on November 19, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Lacking proper bike racks, Princeton-area cyclists routinely lock their bikes to trees, lamp-posts and parking meters. (Click to expand.)

Lacking proper bike racks, Princeton-area cyclists routinely lock their bikes to trees, lamp-posts and parking meters. (Click to expand.)

The League of American Bicyclists recently awarded Princeton ‘Bronze Bike-Friendly Community‘ status. Princeton is now one of just 5 municipalities in New Jersey to receive this award (West Windsor is another). Mayor Lempert thanked the Princeton Pedestrian and Bicyclist Committee for putting together the application, and specifically mentioned the painting of ‘sharrows‘ on local streets as a demonstration of Princeton’s commitment to improving cycling facilities. However, not everybody is convinced that Princeton did enough to merit the award.

Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Biking, Complete Streets, People, Princeton | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Two Pieces Of Good News For Princeton Sidewalk-Users!

Posted on November 18, 2013 by walkableprinceton
New sidewalk and trees at Paul Robeson Place. (click to expand.)

New sidewalk and trees at Paul Robeson Place. (click to expand.)

Local pedestrians got two pieces of good news in the last week. First, the sidewalk on the south side of Paul Robeson Place has finally reopened following construction at ‘The Residences at Palmer Square‘ (see photo above). Second, Princeton Council passed an ordinance which provides for increased municipal support for maintaining our local network of sidewalks. Continue reading →

Posted in Complete Streets, Princeton, Walking | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Homes For Diversity And Inclusivity Part 2: Hide Tall Buildings.

Posted on November 15, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Holly House, in Princeton Community Village, built 1974, is high-density in the forest. (Click to expand.)

Holly House, in Princeton Community Village, built 1974. (Click to expand.)

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 and inclusivity, while maintaining and enhancing Princeton’s historic charm. You can read Part 1 of the series here.

Tall buildings provide opportunities for spacious multi-family homes on a small footprint. This offers environmental benefits, because less land must be cleared to construct the same number of homes, and traffic-management benefits, because a concentration of customers has the potential to support goods and services within walking distance. Nonetheless, a Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Density, how-to-add-density, Princeton, Smart Growth, Sustainability, Traffic, Zoning | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Is That A Good Deal? ‘Steps From Princeton University’

Posted on November 14, 2013 by walkableprinceton
80 Nassau Street, #2A is a one-bed apartment for rent located across the street from Nassau Hall of Princeton University. The price is $2,000 per month. (Click to expand; image from Google Maps)

80 Nassau Street, #2A, on the left side of this picture is a one-bed apartment for rent located across the street from Nassau Hall of Princeton University. The price is $2,000 per month. (Click to expand; image from Google Maps)

As part of an occasional series where we cast an eye over rental properties and real estate walkable to downtown Princeton, we invite you to comment on a local listing. You can find previous entries here and here.

This is a 1-bed, 1-ba apartment at 80 Nassau Street- directly across from Princeton University. The entrance is between “Zorba’s Brother” Greek restaurant and “Paper Source” craft and stationery store. The rate is $2,000 per month and the full listing including a floor-plan can be found here. Continue reading →

Posted in Good Deal? | 3 Comments

Can Princeton Green Spaces Be Open To Everybody? Fill Out This Princeton Survey Today!

Posted on November 13, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Limited entrances, uneven trails, and poor signage detract from enjoyment of Princeton's East Ridge green spaces, as seen here at the entrance to Herrontown Woods. (Click to expand.)

Limited entry points, uneven trails, and poor signage detract from enjoyment of Princeton’s East Ridge green spaces, as seen here at the entrance to Herrontown Woods. (Click to expand.)

In Princeton, we have an incredible choice of large parks and open spaces to explore. We can thanks groups like Friends of Princeton Open Spaces for working to preserve these green spaces. But many of our large parks are not as accessible as they could be. Our recent trip to Autumn Hills Reservation revealed many trails that

Continue reading →

Posted in Biking, Sustainability, Trails, Walking | Tagged , | 2 Comments