Trenton Marriott, via www.venere.com
It’s easy to criticize with the benefit of hindsight, but the decision of Trenton City Council in 2000 to finance the construction of a hotel in downtown Trenton really looks like a disaster. As explained in the linked article from NJ.com, the figures never made sense from the get-go. This is how former Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer remembers it: Continue reading
Princeton’s FreeB ‘Community Shuttle’ at Princeton Shopping Center.
Despite Princeton’s small population, there are a remarkable number of cars around, and surface parking lots are considered a near-sacred commodity in central areas that could be better used for homes or green spaces. A large part of this is because, in contrast to Princeton’s historic, walkable tradition, post-war zoning has required low-rise, low-density single-family homes. Homes are spread out, making it more of an effort for people to get to stores or workplaces by walking. Cycle trails are rudimentary throughout the town, so most people naturally enough look to a car as their primary mode of transport, if not an absolute necessity. Continue reading
Princeton Station, at University Place. (Click to expand.)
NJ Transit has issued a statement advising passengers using Princeton station (the ‘Dinky‘ terminus, on University Place) that the station will be closed for the next two weekends (June 15-16 and June 22-23). During this time, a temporary Dinky station will apparently be constructed somewhere south of the present station location to enable further construction of Princeton University’s Arts and Transit development. Continue reading
Housing at Princeton University’s Butler Apartments. (Click any image to expand.)
As Princeton University recovers from the excitement and drama of Reunions and Commencement, another group of students quietly keeps on going. Princeton graduate students, who have been ostracized ever since Andrew West’s bizarre decision to build a graduate ghetto separate from the rest of the university in 1906, continue producing world-class research all through the summer and all year round. Princeton University offers undergraduates a wealth of accommodation options, and student social life revolves around the Prospect Ave ‘Eating Club‘ scene. Grad students, by contrast, tend to be cast to the outskirts of the campus, or even unhoused altogether. This is a strange way to treat some of the smartest people in the world, who dedicate themselves to research despite long hours and low wages. Continue reading
U.S.1’s survey of Princeton realtors published May 22 revealed a strong demand for walkability. (Click to expand).
A recent report from U.S.1 newspaper focused on how walkable housing is the hottest trend in Princeton-area real estate. After speaking to several local realtors, the authors noted, as we have pointed out previously, that housing close to stores and amenities is particularly prized in 2013. According to Kim Ward Bacso of River Valley Realty, who is quoted in the U.S1 article:
“The Gen Y’s want bars, shops, and restaurants, not the two-acre colonials they grew up in,” Continue reading
Should we designate an off-leash play area for dogs in Princeton? Image from puppiesphotos.blogspot.com
Back in March of this year, we heard about Will Ratner, a 7th-grader at JW Middle School, who had launched a campaign to bring an off-leash dog park to Princeton. We had planned to follow up about this, but in the meantime, young Mr Ratner went ahead and collected 82 signatures for his petition, researched the dog park situation in local municipalities, and made a presentation to Princeton Council! Continue reading
Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert, opening Communiversity 2013. (Click to expand.) The Mayor is getting a salary increase to $17,500. Is this a good idea?
As Princeton residents head to the polls to vote in primaries for upcoming elections for state, county and local representation, a debate has broken out over a recent decision by the Princeton Council to allow increased funds for payment of council members. Council members, who were on track to get an annual ‘salary’ of $7,500, will now get $10,000. The Council President (currently Bernie Miller) will get $12,500, and the mayor has the prospect of a raise from $15,000 per year to $17,500 per year. Total payments for the mayor and Council would be $79,750. Continue reading
Geese with young goslings have made the D&R canal path their home, and are not to be messed with.
Those of us who enjoy walking, jogging, or commuting to work along the D&R Canal Trail are likely familiar with a particular threat around this time of year: angry geese! During the spring, Canada Geese, which seem to have made Lake Carnegie their year-round home, breed and become extremely protective of their nest sites and young goslings. Especially around Bike-to-Work Week, safe passage along the trail could not always be guaranteed owing to these geese, who are not particularly afraid of humans. Continue reading
Daily population change in American cities, as a percentage of their night-time population. (Click to expand.)
Although the population of Princeton is estimated at around 28,572, every day a further 24,363 people enter the town to work. A far smaller proportion of Princeton residents leave town to work, making the daytime population of Princeton around 46,652. Continue reading
Can a pedestrian lawfully cross here when a car (red arrow) is approaching? (Click image to expand)
Drivers may be familiar with the idea that they have to stop for pedestrians crossing the road at marked crosswalks, but many do not realize that they are also required to yield right-of-way to pedestrians at ‘unmarked crosswalks’. In New Jersey, as in most states, all intersections of streets are normally considered to represent crosswalks, even when there are no painted crosswalk lines. At these ‘unmarked crosswalks’, it is legal for pedestrians to cross. The relevant statute reads as follows:
walkableprinceton 