Living in the suburbs can be wonderful – with beautiful trees, lovely neighborhoods and community. Growing up out here, as you age from childhood into retirement, your priorities and environments may change. Additionally, the town and community’s needs change. These are the things we are focusing on in the July issue of Princeton Perspectives, Evolving Infrastructure in Suburban Life. We are breaking it down into four parts: Digital, Health, Physical and Social.

Everyone has a different reason they are attracted to living out here. For this month’s Pulse of Princeton we asked locals, what is your favorite part of suburban living? From specific programming to community connections, they sure seem happy to be here. You can watch the video now.

Digital infrastructure: Another day, and there’s another conversation about AI and data centers. So, we had to delve into what is happening locally. With a lack of guidance from state and federal authorities, each municipality is handling things a bit differently. The article Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Hits Bumps in the Suburbs shares how the local governments are responding to the digital age.

Health infrastructure: As natural environments shift, so do their impacts on public health. The article It’s Real and in New Jersey – Could a Tick Bite Make You Allergic to Steak? provides insight into a health concern that can be avoided, if you are aware.

Physical infrastructure: Buildings, housing and transportation are all an important aspect of life outside of the city, and the article The Built Suburban Environment and It’s Constant Evolution takes a close look at some specific changes and improvements that are either needed or desired to keep up in modern day.

Social infrastructure: How different are our needs from childhood into our elderly years? With both similarities and major differences, socializing helps when you are young and helps you stay young. The article Beyond Playgrounds: Finding Ways to Connect Through the Generations shares the trials and opportunities that come with aging.

Lastly, this month’s Perspectives Revisited updates our readers on some long-awaited news providing expanded opportunities for our area.

Whether you’re reading this month’s issue on the beach or inside an air-conditioned room, we hope it helps keep you up to speed with is going on around Princeton, and beyond.

Lisa Jacknow

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!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is driving demand for data centers, sparking debate about electrical grids, location, noise pollution, water consumption and more.

A new report by Allianz Trade says 15-20% of global data center electricity is being used for AI. The report cites such workloads could increase to more than 40%, and without adoption of cleaner energy options, could cause $154 billion in annual climate-related damages by 2030.

AI IN NEW JERSEY

AI development is not slowing down, it is growing everywhere. In the Garden State, some local officials and residents have voiced concern the cart may have gone before the proverbial horse, as AI expansion has been strongly encouraged despite little input from the state yet on how to supply the electricity needed to make it all run.

The NJ AI Hub, a partnership between the state and private sectors, education and development, celebrated its first anniversary in June. It sits on Alexander Road in West Windsor, not far from the Princeton border. Its purpose is to help promote research, collaboration and act as an accelerator for New Jersey AI business – which excites many due to potential high-paying jobs, expanding the tax base and positioning NJ as a leader in this industry. As the opportunities advance, demand for more data centers is expected to grow. Yet it was not until last week that the first meaningful legislation was signed to hold data centers accountable for their own energy usage.

The bill, signed into law on July 7, 2026 alongside two other utility measures, ensures “large data centers pay their fair share for energy instead of shifting costs onto New Jersey families and small business.” It does so by creating a new ratepayer class and rate structure for data centers, incentivizing the centers to bring cheap, clean power to the grid and cut back when strains arise. It also enables data centers to offset their demand by paying for use elsewhere on the system.

There are more than 15 other AI or data center-related bills sitting in the hands of the NJ Legislature. They overwhelmingly focus on four main goals: protecting electric ratepayers, preserving grid reliability, increasing transparency and reducing the environmental footprint of AI data centers. Until the state provides more input and guidance, the issue is being handled differently within each local government.

MUNICIPAL BANS

On June 18, 2026, the Montgomery Township Committee unanimously voted to approve an ordinance prohibiting data centers within its geographical boundaries, citing doing so will help “ensure the orderly development of the Township and to protect existing residential, commercial, and environmental resources.” The code of the Township of Montgomery, within the Land Development Ordinance, was amended to accommodate this ban.

Other nearby municipalities have not yet gone that far. But, neither does it mean data centers are fully welcomed.

PJM Interconnection, the regional grid operator for New Jersey, has stated the supply costs that led to a spike in residential electrical bills this past year were in part due to increased demand and an inadequate supply of infrastructure to meet it (some of which can be attributed to data centers).

Because PJM systems and operations are reviewed by the state, legislative input is needed to make change. Such input is one of the hopes as East Windsor considers development.

MORATORIUMS ON DATA CENTERS

East Windsor has had a data center in operation for many years, with little fanfare. This facility was developed by McGraw-Hill, then acquired by QTS which has now operated it for approximately 12 years. Plans were submitted to build a second data center on the site, which were approved as well. But the proposed expansion, and a redevelopment ordinance that could have allowed for a data center at Probasco Road/Wykoff Mills Road, led to a lot of community input, concern and awareness.

In response to those discussions and other uncertainty, East Windsor last month approved an 18-month moratorium on the development of new data centers, effective through December 31, 2027.

“Data centers more recently have evolved into a growing focus of the global, national and state economy; however, there are a large number of public concerns and questions in our communities, many of which require statewide guidance and regulations to ensure the safeguard of our energy systems and pricing, and environmental resource preservation,” shares East Windsor Mayor Janice Mirinov.

The ordinance was approved with the explicit hope that by the end of 2027 the Governor and State departments will “undertake a full review and investigation of the data center industry, to identify and evaluate issues, impacts and benefits, and to strategically promulgate responsible regulations and requirements for data center development and protection of our communities.” It outlines four areas of consideration for the regulators and policy makers:

• Creation of market and regulatory mechanisms to ensure major energy users pay for all their energy-related costs, so that homeowners do not subsidize major energy user requirements and incur increased costs. (This may have been addressed through last week’s new law).
• Increased use of clean renewable energy sources by major power users.
• Transparent reporting of energy and water usage – so as to further energy efficiency and water conservation actions.
• Standards for facility design and construction, including ventilation and weatherproofing, for data centers to further mitigate energy use, water consumption, heat generation emissions, any potential noise impacts, and other identifiable factors.

Municipalities like this are in line with some federal thinking. On June 24, 2026, The Hill reported NJ Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-6) as saying, “I am in favor of a national AI data center moratorium until we can find a way to ensure they don’t harm our nation’s air, water and power bills.” He went on to say, “Promises by the data center industry and Big Tech that these facilities will bring down costs have fallen flat,” and added “Instead, the grid operator for the mid-Atlantic region estimated that ratepayers — including families in New Jersey — paid over $9 billion last year for the electricity that data centers and Big Tech need to fuel their AI demands.”

DATA CENTER GROWTH

In the meantime, in South Brunswick, a data center proposal was approved by the South Brunswick Planning Board in 2025 at the old Princeton Nurseries site but residents have continued to raise concerns. One recently launched a petition against the 341,000 sq.-ft facility hoping the municipality will reject or suspend the approvals and outlining several steps to safeguard the community. Mayor Charles Carley appreciates concerns raised by residents and says many of those safeguards are in place, others he hopes will be further clarified by the state.

“Data centers aren’t new to South Brunswick. We’ve hosted operating facilities on Ridge Road for decades — they’ve been quiet neighbors. What’s changed is the scale and energy intensity of these newer facilities, which is why I welcome the Legislature setting clear statewide standards on water, energy, and noise. The state has done this before with freshwater wetlands, stormwater management, and other aspects of the built environment,” Carley explains.

Water usage is a concern with some data centers, as it can be part of the cooling system. Carley shares the NJ Department of Environmental Protection sets non-negotiable water service limits that will be monitored by municipal staff. He adds electrical capacity also has limits. The facility is coordinating with PSE&G, which will have to confirm they can reliably deliver the capacity requested on the permit.

“And noise is something residents are right to ask about,” Carley states. “The approval requires sound wall height standards and restricts diesel generator testing to daytime hours — our code enforcement staff monitors compliance. During the hearings, the developer, the residents, and the Planning Board each employed independent engineers who parsed over this matter.”

OTHER MUNICIPAL REACTIONS

In other parts of the region, such as Hopewell Township, there is no zoning or permitting that allows for a standalone or primary-use commercial data center. But the township does allow for such a digital infrastructure if it is ancillary or directly supporting a primary permitted use on the land. So, Princeton West Innovation Campus has for years had a data center on site, as it was built decades ago to support pharmaceutical endeavors for Bristol-Myers Squibb.

“The site was originally developed with substantial supporting infrastructure, including onsite waste treatment and cooling systems, along with upgrades over time, including improvements to the PSEG substation at Mt. Rose. The Township Committee continues to be attentive to the evolving conversation around AI, data centers, and digital infrastructure,” explains Hopewell Township Mayor David Chait. “Any data center-type use would need to be clearly ancillary to a permitted primary use. Based on that framework, I am not aware of any approved proposal that would change this or allow a standalone data center at that site.”

The opportunities that await on former corporate campuses and other sites near existing high-voltage infrastructure do not present themselves in Princeton where Council President Michelle Pirone Lambros says AI data centers have not been discussed. Perhaps it is due to the limited and costly land, but requests have not yet come before Princeton Council. Neither have any come to West Windsor. There is a proposal detailed online that suggests the company Switch is considering a 150MW capacity data center campus there, but Mayor Marathe said he has never heard of it, has not been informed of any AI data center proposals and no permits have been filed. Switch did not return our requests for comment.

A new report by Data Center Watch (May 2026) reveals more than $64 billion worth of data center projects were blocked or delayed by local authorities over the past two years. As each municipality handles the possibilities in their own way, many local officials are looking forward to more state and federal guidance to help them balance potential opportunities with protections for their communities.

Lisa Jacknow

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!

There are a variety of physical infrastructures that help support suburban life. Sometimes this infrastructure needs to improve, change, expand, or transform. This could include anything from creating more housing, other redevelopment of public and private spaces, and transportation enhancements that help people get from one place to another. Making changes to keep up with changing times and community needs is essential to keeping the suburbs successful.

TRANSPORTATION

So far in 2026, NJ Transit (NJT) trains have experienced issues with overhead wire failures, electrical and train fires, and multiple instances of extreme weather situations. Princeton Junction Station, where many locals take the train into New York City and elsewhere, is the most populated weekday station on the Northeast Corridor line. Modernizing and fixing the infrastructure would improve the commute for approximately 4,600 customers who board there each workday and thousands more throughout the system. That includes NJ Transit President/CEO and Princeton resident Kris Kolluri.

“I’m not just CEO, but a daily rider of the train system and my wife also takes the train to New York. So, I’m not unaware of the challenges, or what is happening on the system,” Kolluri told Princeton Perspectives. “The recent issues we’ve seen, whether at Penn or on the corridor, or on non-corridor issues, were driven by extraordinary things. In winter we had 2 generational snowstorms. Then we had a really challenging portal cutover that ultimately led to a positive thing because we were able to replace half of a very old bridge with a brand-new bridge. But that led to disruptions for a while. Then in the last several weeks, we’ve had generational heat events.”

NJT trains run on lines owned by Amtrak, which operate using a catenary system. This is different than the way Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North operate, which are on a third rail system. The catenary was deemed to be more environmentally friendly, but utilizing overhead wires exposes the system to many more elements that can cause disruptions.

When major train issues occurred just before July 4^th, Kolluri says it was the hottest it had been since 2011 (temperatures reached 108°). The materials expand in extreme weather, and that can lead to warped rails and impact the tension of the wires, leading to sagging wires. These require the system to be shut down to allow for repairs, causing delays or suspensions. Additionally, the original 1910 Portal Bridge that Northeast Corridor trains must pass over is a swinging bridge, which has historically malfunctioned due to weather and mechanical issues.

Weather is not the only cause for disruptions. NJT also had suspensions in recent months due to train fires as well as rerouting of customers via PATH trains for World Cup events. With the environmentally triggered and pre-planned events aside, riders say there are still many issues that need attention.

“I’ve been taking the train from Princeton Junction to NY Penn for over 23 years. 23 years of missing dinner with the family because of delays. 23 years of missing my kids’ summer events because of downed overhead wires. Missing my kids’ school plays because of ‘equipment availability resulting from mechanical issues,’ missing doctor appointments, sweating in Penn station waiting for trains to post, standing in the aisles because of limited cars, wondering what the outside looks like behind the dirty train windows. And heaven help you if you need to find a functioning bathroom,” one disgruntled Princeton Junction regular shared. “NJT has taken years off my life.”

In 2024, when riders were complaining about the numerous and repeated travel issues occurring on the NE Corridor Line, Amtrak vowed to make things better. And they tell Princeton Perspectives they have.

“Since 2024, Amtrak made improvements to our infrastructure, operations, and maintenance and inspections. None of those incidents from 2024 were replicated in 2025. Unfortunately, some of the infrastructure is still over 115-years-old. While we are working on even more improvements and investments, which including those either improve or replace more-than-a-century-old components, thousands of people traveling by train in NJ are still relying on them for their trip,” says Amtrak Senior Public Relations Manager Jason Abrams.

Hardware replacement on the catenary, chip protectors added to protect equipment from catenary impacts, increased inspections, signaling system upgrades and more were completed. This year, the first phase of the Portal North Bridge cutover was completed and made operational in March, with the second and final cutover planned for this fall. A completely new bridge which does not swing open and close will eliminate that risk of complications leading to delays and suspensions.

As Amtrak makes its improvements, and the two work together on building a new tunnel, NJT says it is doing what it can to modernize and fix what it is responsible for. 60% of its cars are still from the 1970s and 80s. They contribute to some of the problems. A $1.7 billion commitment from Governor Murphy enabled the purchase of 374 new rail cars, which should start to roll out later this year and be completely replaced by 2031. There are also efforts being made to improve communications with customers by offering accurate, real-time information both digitally (on the app, website, and social media) and in person through station and in-car announcements. NJT has put out a request for information to work towards having a modern modem on each locomotive that communicates with their information disseminating platform.

Despite or because of the needed improvements, in 2024 the NJT Board adopted a new fare policy. It began with a 15% increase in July 2024, the first increase in 10 years. That was followed by a 3% increase last year and another 3% increase on July 1. An automatic 3% increase is expected to take effect every July going forward unless the policy changes. While there may have been improvements, with more in the works, riders have told Princeton Perspectives they are frustrated to be forced to pay more each year while experiencing a too-often imperfect system.

“NJT has been around for 47 years. 35 out of that 47 we haven’t had a consistent funding policy,” Kolluri recalls. “I can’t talk about what happened; I can deal with a pragmatic problem presented to me that says we need to build a reliable system. The only way I know how to do it is by making sure we make investments.” Kolluri explained. “I’m determined to build a reliable system. It’s going to take time.”

And money. On July 16, the NJT Board is scheduled to vote on a proposed $3.5 billion budget, including over $1 billion in state support. That is 11% higher than last year’s budget. Will it be enough to stabilize the aging system?

COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT

While rail customers await a more reliable system, other forms of infrastructure are changing in the area. In Princeton and neighboring Lawrence Township, redevelopment projects are being considered that could have impacts for generations.

In Princeton, one of the biggest development considerations on the horizon is what will become of the Westminster Choir Campus, which was left mostly vacant when Westminster Choir College relocated to Rider’s Lawrenceville campus in 2020. While the community awaits full proposals, one possibility is making advances. Topology NJ was hired last year to do analysis, speak to the community and create a redevelopment plan for this property purchased by the municipality through eminent domain. Possible ideas have included that part of the campus could be used by Princeton Public Schools, perhaps other parts will be used to relocate municipal offices and more possibilities are being generated. In June the public learned greater details about how Princeton is working with McCarter Theatre to expand their programming and revitalize a part of the campus in keeping within Westminster Choir Campus’ origin mission.

“McCarter has applied to a state funding program that would provide funds to help repair and update several of the historic buildings on the former Westminster campus; in particular, the former Chapel and Playhouse. These spaces have a long history as spaces for arts, education, and community, and we’d love to be part of the town’s planning process to help reactivate them for that purpose. We are awaiting the outcome of that grant application and hoping for a favorable decision,” explains Martin Miller, McCarter Theatre Center Executive Director.

Princeton Council approved renewing the professional services agreement with Topology NJ to create a redevelopment plan just for the portion of the campus to be used by McCarter.  This would detail what is allowed, compliances and zoning to enable McCarter to move forward quickly if the grant is awarded. The decision is expected to come down sometime before late September, and if approved, McCarter would have just one year from the day approval is received to submit a fully approved site plan to the state. The vision could include visiting artist residences as well.

HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT

There is further redevelopment being discussed on another nearby campus. ETS currently occupies 376 acres of land in Lawrence Township (on the border of Princeton, and with a Princeton mailing address). Discussions are now underway that could see 75 acres of the north campus transformed.

“ETS has evolved in recent years and like many organizations, we have adapted to changes in how and where work gets done, which has influenced how we evaluate and utilize our physical footprint in Princeton. We are proud of our long-standing presence in the community and are committed to maintaining a meaningful presence on our campus,” a spokesperson for ETS explained to Princeton Perspectives. “ETS has been engaged in discussions with Lawrence Township in response to the Township’s need to address its affordable housing obligations. As part of that process, the Township has explored a potential rezoning scenario that could allow for residential development.”

Approximately 800 units of housing are being discussed, a mix of market-rate and affordable housing. There may also be some retail offerings and other services built on the site. At the May 18^th Lawrence Planning Board meeting, comments made by residents led to several suggested revisions. They were not yet fully incorporated into a final zoning ordinance; therefore, a May 19^th public hearing was postponed.

A rezoning ordinance must be approved in order for this plan to move forward. The hearing not yet been rescheduled, but many residents showed up to a June Master Planning meeting to express thoughts about the ETS campus. They ranged from concerns about traffic impacts that such a large development could have on Rosedale and Carter Roads to expressions of hope that more housing could provide needed affordable options for many.

“If the area were to be rezoned, a range of options could be considered for the future of the property. While no final decisions have been made, ETS has explored possibilities that align with both community and environmental needs and our organizational priorities,” the ETS spokesperson added.

Will Lawrence Township build an 800-unit housing development at ETS? Will a larger budget enable NJT to improve its rail system? Will McCarter Theatre be awarded the grant award and begin to transform Westminster Choir Campus? Housing, trains and community spaces support suburban life and the improvements, changes, expansions will be telling.

Lisa Jacknow

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!