walkableprinceton

Princeton U. Should Think Big At Butler Site

Posted on June 7, 2013 by walkableprinceton

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 →

Posted in Density, Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton | 10 Comments

Princeton Realtors: People Want Walkable Housing.

Posted on June 6, 2013 by walkableprinceton

U.S.1's survey of Princeton realtors revealed a strong demand for walkability.

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 →

Posted in Local, Smart Growth, Zoning | 5 Comments

Princeton Dog Park: Where Should It Go?

Posted on June 5, 2013 by walkableprinceton

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 →

Posted in Princeton, Zoning | 7 Comments

How Much Should Princeton Pay Its Elected Officials And Committee Members?

Posted on June 4, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert, opening Communiversity 2013. Should Princeton elected officials expect a salary?

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 →

Posted in Princeton | 2 Comments

Geese A Threat To Walkers, Bikers On Princeton Canal Trail

Posted on June 3, 2013 by walkableprinceton

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 →

Posted in Local, Trails, Walking | 4 Comments

Princeton: The Town That Grows More Each Day Than New York City

Posted on May 31, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Daily population change in American cities, as a % of their night-time population.

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 →

Posted in Affordability, Density, Downtown Vibrancy, Princeton | 7 Comments

What’s The Deal With ‘Unmarked Crosswalks’?

Posted on May 30, 2013 by walkableprinceton

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:

Continue reading →

Posted in Traffic, Walking | 5 Comments

Who You Gonna Call For Affordable Housing In Princeton?

Posted on May 29, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Princeton Community Village, off Bunn Drive, Princeton, is the largest development of affordable housing in Princeton, with 238 units of low- and moderate-income housing.

Although Princeton is recognized as one of the most expensive places to live in Central Jersey, we also have one of the largest inventories of affordable housing units. At the current date, 912 low- and moderate-income units exist in Princeton, offering reduced-rate housing to qualified residents. 40 further units are under construction, and 116 additional units are at the planning stage. That means around 2,000 Princeton residents are currently benefiting from lower-rate housing. Continue reading →

Posted in Affordability, Princeton | 3 Comments

Citibike Is Here! What Would Be The Best Princeton Bikeshare Locations?

Posted on May 28, 2013 by walkableprinceton

Citibike station, Spring St, Manhattan

It has finally happened! Bikeshare has launched in New York, and as befits the Big Apple, it’s the biggest system in America, with 600 stations and plans to grow to 10,000 bikes! These chunky blue bikes could soon become as iconic a feature of New York as the traditional yellow cab! You can read a handy ‘frequently asked question’ page about the new system from New York City Department of Transport here. At the minute, only annual members can use the system, but daily members will be welcomed from this Sunday, June 2. Continue reading →

Posted in Alternative Transportation, Biking | 4 Comments

New Plan For Princeton Hospital Site Shows Major Improvements

Posted on May 24, 2013 by walkableprinceton

New hospital site plan features townhouses to fit in better with the neighborhood.

New hospital site plan features townhouses to better fit in with the neighborhood. (Click image to expand.)

A public meeting at Community Park School on Wednesday evening revealed a new proposal for redevelopment of the former hospital site in Princeton. Jon Vogel, vice-president of development at AvalonBay, led a series of presentations from architects, engineers and landscape planners, who have been working with Princeton officials to amend the development proposal, after the Princeton Planning Board rejected their initial application. Continue reading →