Data show that the vast majority of the Princeton workforce (79%) live outside of town.
Have you ever asked your hairdresser, server or bank cashier where they live? The chances are, the answer is not ‘Princeton’. According to data collected by Ralph Widner, of the Princeton Traffic and Transportation Committee, and presented to Princeton Future (most recently on March 16, 2013), a large majority of the Princeton workforce live outside of town. Continue reading
Not only is May National Bike Month, for many local students it is Prom Season! In that spirit, check out this amusing video, prepared by TransForm CA, an advocacy group for transit and walkable communities based out of the Bay Area. Continue reading
Chipotle: only available to Princeton people who are prepared to drive.
Happy Cinco de Mayo! Hope you had fun! If you like Mexican food, or at least, a super-sized US-style take on Mexican food, you may like Chipotle Mexican Grill. With their jumbo-sized portions and highly-customizable build-your-own burrito assembly-line, the Chipotle brand has swept the US and beyond. Continue reading
Gas prices are dropping in New Jersey. Image from NJTV.
Our local roads are in terrible shape. There are potholes everywhere, and if you suffer a blowout or automobile damage after hitting one, don’t expect the state to pay. Equally, where roads are insufficient to handle traffic volume, the New Jersey Department of Transport (NJDOT) proposes sticking-plaster solutions, instead of looking for long-term infrastructure fixes. New Jersey roads are also set up for the 20th century, geared entirely towards cars with inferior provision for pedestrians or cyclists. Fixing these issues will require money and investment. Continue reading
Artists work with chalk on the street at Communiversity 2013
One of the nicest things about Communiversity, which happened on Sunday, is that downtown Princeton becomes alive with people, all out walking and enjoying the town. Normally pushed onto sidewalks to allow cars and trucks to connect through the town, Communiversity is the day when walkers take over the streets. Continue reading
Amazing R2D2 helmet, creation of Jenn Hall, via www.geekadelphia.com
Welcome to May! This is Bike Month! Greater Mercer TMA have got a bunch of events planned to make cycling fun this month, and we’ll be promoting these more as the month goes on.
Cycling to work is a great way to keep fit, fight climate change, and experience the pleasure of spring. Philadelphia-native Jenn Hall has also designed an amazing helmet, Continue reading
Wheels To Go: CarShare vehicle at Westminster Choir College
Even if you live a mostly walkable life, walking to work, gathering groceries from local stores, socializing in local bars and restaurants…you will likely realize that some jobs just require a car. Especially here in Jersey, your options are greatly expanded if you have some wheels, whether it is to quickly visit some friends in Hopewell, head to the shore for the weekend, or head out to Walmart for some friendly prices! Continue reading
Even as Princeton house prices rocket once again, Princeton University can’t give these houses away.
Remember those free houses that Princeton University wants to give away to anyone willing and able to take them? Well, the deadline for this amazing offer is tomorrow, Tuesday April 30. If you want one, you better hurry up and let the folks down at the University know soon! Continue reading
Community Park Elementary School, Princeton: school site for new apartments on Witherspoon Street?
We love living in Princeton, but there are a few issues, and a high tax rate is certainly one of them! Municipal taxes, county taxes, school board taxes- it all adds up to a pretty hefty load on local residents. As we have noted before, compact walkable development in Princeton, in addition to providing a lot of customers to support downtown businesses, could generate a large amount of tax revenue. Earlier this week, we posted data from Sarasota County, Florida, which showed that taller buildings bring in substantially more tax revenue than low-rise residential development. We suggested that mid-rise buildings, built within the height of existing buildings around Palmer Square offer the best balance for providing much-needed tax relief while preserving the historic character of Princeton. Continue reading
Steps to a vibrant, walkable neighborhood
It can be hard to imagine what a walkable neighborhood might look like, or how we can go about creating it. The National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a New York-based environmental advocacy group, which supports compact walkable development, has made available a number of animations to show how existing streetscapes can be enhanced by smart growth development. Continue reading
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