Princeton Town Must Not Miss Out On Upcoming University Bikeshare Program

Posted on October 11, 2013 by walkableprinceton
What bikeshare might look like when Princeton University launches its scheme in the coming years. But will Princeton town residents and other students be able to use the system? (Click to expand.)

What bikeshare might look like when Princeton University launches its scheme in the coming years. But will Princeton town residents and other students be able to use the system? (Click to expand.)

The Daily Princetonian recently called for Princeton University to launch a bikeshare scheme similar to the Citibike scheme which launched in New York earlier this year. The good news for the students is that Princeton University is indeed planning a bikeshare scheme. Although the plan has not been officially announced, and is at an early stage, a bikeshare program will be launched as part of the Arts and Transit Project. This is great news for Princeton students, but Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Biking, Princeton | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

At New Brunswick Ciclovia, The Importance of Car-Free Streets Is Recognized

Posted on October 10, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Walking is an entirely natural extension of being a human being, so making it easier for people to walk is adding dignity to humans. (Concept from Gil Penalosa's presentation at New Brunswick Ciclovia - Click to expand.)

From a baby’s first steps to every journey we set out on, walking is in our nature, so making it easier for people to walk is adding dignity to humans. (Concept from Gil Penalosa’s presentation at New Brunswick Ciclovia – Click to expand.)

Last Sunday, New Brunswick hosted its first ‘Ciclovia’, an event where the streets are closed to cars so that they become fully open to people. The idea originated in Bogota, Colombia, and there are now hundreds of annual Ciclovias around the world. Although the name suggests that it’s for cyclists, a Ciclovia allows people to use the streets for any pupose- including walking, roller-skating, yoga, group aerobics, tai-chi- anything that’s not driving a car! Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Biking, Complete Streets, Local, People, Transit, Walking | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Is That A Good Deal? ‘Walkable Cape Cod’

Posted on October 9, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Front view of 32 N Harrison St, listed at $2,850 for 3-bed, 2-ha.

Front view of 32 N Harrison St, Princeton listed for rent at $2,850 per month (3-bed, 2-ha).

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.

Today we are looking at a single family home listed for rent with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. The listing agent describes it as Continue reading →

Posted in Good Deal? | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Choose Walkability Questions For Princeton Council Candidates

Posted on October 8, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Candidates for Princeton Council November 2013. Princeton will elect two Council members. The race is contested by incumbent Democrats Jenny Crumiller (left) and Patrick Simon (center) and Republican challenger Fausta Rodriguez-Wertz (right). (Click to expand.)

Candidates for Princeton Council November 2013. Princeton will elect two Council members. The race is contested by incumbent Democrats Jenny Crumiller (left) and Patrick Simon (center) and Republican challenger Fausta Rodriguez-Wertz (right). (Click to expand.)

This coming November, Princeton will elect two Council members. The positions are contested by two incumbent Democrats, Jenny Crumiller and Patrick Simon, and a Republican challenger, Fausta Rodriguez-Wertz. We plan to ask the candidates some questions about walkable living, housing and transportation, so as to inform voters in making their decision about who to vote for. What questions are most important? Continue reading →

Posted in People, Princeton | Tagged | 2 Comments

‘Great Plant Rescue’ At Old Princeton Hospital Site As Local Residents Sue Planning Board

Posted on October 7, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Princeton Department of Public Works staff 'rescue' mature plants from the land surrounding the old Princeton hospital, October 4, 2013. (Click to expand.)

Princeton Department of Public Works staff ‘rescue’ mature plants from the land surrounding the old Princeton hospital, October 4, 2013. (Click to expand.)

Here’s some great news! All the plants and landscaping features from around the old Princeton Hospital site on Witherspoon Street are being lifted out and transplanted to new homes! Local residents, Princeton Healthcare Systems staff, the Department of Public Works (DPW) and developer AvalonBay are cooperating to find new homes for the plants.  Continue reading →

Posted in Density, Princeton, Smart Growth, Zoning | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Time For A Proper Public Consultation About The 369 Witherspoon Street Site

Posted on October 4, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Former school / council office building at 369 Witherspoon Street, as seen from the corner of Witherspoon and Valley Road. (Click to expand.)

Former school / council office building at 369 Witherspoon Street, as seen from the corner of Witherspoon and Valley Road. (Click to expand.)

The future of the 369 Witherspoon Site looks set to be one of the biggest redevelopment questions facing Princeton in the coming years. Competing plans are circulating for re-use of the site, but are any of these plans right? It’s time to put all options on the table and have a proper public discussion! Let’s consider the options… Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Density, Princeton, Real estate, Smart Growth, Zoning | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

255 Nassau Plan Shows The Extraordinary Difficulty Of Infill Redevelopment in Princeton

Posted on October 3, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Latest rendering of proposed 255 Nassau redevelopment. (Click to expand.)

Latest rendering of proposed 255 Nassau redevelopment. (Click to expand.)

The proposed redevelopment of the 255 Nassau Crossfit gym (formerly Wild Oats market) is in doubt as NJDOT regulations, University inflexibility, and municipal red tape combine to stymie the plan. Skeptical officials look set to can the plan, but it is far from certain that this will result in a good outcome for Princeton. Continue reading →

Posted in Density, Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton, Real estate, Smart Growth, Sustainability, The Parking Question, Traffic, Zoning | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Beautiful Walkable Princeton: Engine Company No.1 Firehouse, Chestnut Street

Posted on October 2, 2013 by walkableprinceton
Engine Company No. 1 building on Chestnut Street. (Click to expand.)

Engine Company No. 1 building on Chestnut Street. (Click to expand.)

There has been a firehouse on Chestnut Street since the former Borough built one there in 1879 (at a cost of $2,184). The present Engine No.1 firehouse dates from 1949. It was originally supposed to be at the corner of Hamilton and Chestnut, but ended up in a different lot mid-block. From its opening until 1963 Continue reading →

Posted in Beautiful Walkable Princeton | Tagged | 4 Comments

Does Mayor Lempert Really Think That Middle-Class Princeton Workers Should Live In Trenton??

Posted on October 1, 2013 by walkableprinceton
lempert_trenton1

Mayor Lempert says people in Princeton ‘don’t want’ commuters to live in town. Where should they live instead? Trenton? (Image from Princeton Community TV – click to expand)

Princeton is suffering an affordability crisis that has seen the town’s middle-class largely driven out in the face of high property prices and taxes. Even junior research staff at the University find it hard to justify the cost of living in Princeton, and more than 3 out of 4 local workers now live elsewhere and drive into town every day, creating traffic and contributing to global warming. What does our Mayor think is the answer to this issue? Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Alternative Transportation, Density, Downtown Vibrancy, Local, People, Princeton, Smart Growth, Traffic | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Can You Bear To Read These Offensive NJ.com Blog Comments, Left After Affordable Housing Court Decision??

Posted on September 30, 2013 by walkableprinceton
The New Jersey Supreme Court, who insisted on stricter standards for municipal affordable housing last week. (Click to expand. Image from judiciary.state.nj.us)

The New Jersey Supreme Court, who insisted on stricter standards for municipal affordable housing last week. (Click to expand. Image from judiciary.state.nj.us)

A key solution for Princeton’s ongoing traffic and parking challenges is to enable people to live closer to where they work, so that they have the option of walking or cycling instead of using a car. Sadly, Princeton has got so expensive that middle-class workers find it hard to live here. Affordable housing, provided by groups such as Princeton Community Housing is vastly over-subscribed. Anyone signing up can expect to wait years to find an affordable home. Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Local, Zoning | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments