There has been a lot of change happening around Princeton in a short period of time. Witherspoon Street has been in various stages of evolution for the past few years; sewer replacement has been taking place across town; and several redevelopment projects have been erected.
As change happens, there are those that endorse it, those that do not feel impacted, and those that speak up and oppose it. There has been a bit of public debate over some of the town’s redevelopment plans. The discourse has brought about some questions, and we aim take a closer look at them in our July issue, Local Development Brings Concerns to the Forefront.
We start with our Pulse of Princeton video, where locals share their thoughts on what we’re writing about this month. We asked them, what do you think about the ways Princeton is developing? Several people opted not to share on camera, though privately offered a full range of opinions. From the widening of Witherspoon Street, to the addition of bike lanes, new apartment complexes and more, watch this month’s video to view what locals are sharing.
One concern that has been raised is whether Princeton’s one-party town and no-contest elections provide leadership that is representative of all residents. Can this change and does the town majority want it to change? We spoke to some political leaders about this, and share their insights in the article Fulfilling Desires of Residents in a One-Party Town.
There have also been questions about approvals, evaluations and more when it comes to building. From larger apartment complexes, to privately owned homes, how does local development come about? In the article From Start to Finish, the Steps One Needs for Construction, our guest writer shares the processes that one may encounter to make physical changes.
Much of the public discourse about redevelopment has come about as plans were laid out to help meet Princeton’s Third Round Affordable Housing mandate. Now, plans have moved onto the next round. In the article Fourth Round Affordable Housing – How Will it Impact Princeton? we explain what the future plans entail.
How will the town handle more cars on its roadways? Will more bicycle and pedestrian lanes make a difference? These questions have additionally been raised, so we asked Princeton Police to weigh in on how they look ahead and what they do to keep traffic moving and effective. Read more in the article Traffic Safety, Enforcement & Education in an Evolving Town.
As always, we also provide updates to stories we’ve brought to you in the past. This month, there is and a way for you to weigh in on future Princeton development and details about transportation improvements for seniors and those with disabilities! Read Perspectives Revisited to learn more.
It is hard to believe that we are already at mid-July, though the humid, hot weather outside is a constant reminder. We hope it offers you a moment to sit down and read our latest issue. Princeton Perspectives is always trying to write about what matters to Princeton and keep you informed. Please share any stories that you’d like to see us cover.
Lisa Jacknow spent years working in national and local news in and around New York City before moving to Princeton. Working as both a TV producer and news reporter, Lisa came to this area to focus on the local news of Mercer County at WZBN-TV. In recent years, she got immersed in the Princeton community by serving leadership roles at local schools in addition to volunteering for other local non-profits. In her free time, Lisa loves to spend time with her family, play tennis, sing and play the piano. A graduate of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, Lisa was raised just north of Boston, Massachusetts but has lived in the tri-state area since college. She is excited to be Editor and head writer for Princeton Perspectives!