It is summer, peak wedding season. As we attend, plan for or recall our own weddings, there is one common saying that comes to mind. It is from an old English rhyme, meant to provide for a future of happiness. As many begin their futures together this summer, we also look forward to a happy future for everyone around Princeton. So, we chose to incorporate this saying into the July issue of Princeton Perspectives, Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue. Only this time, we’re giving it our unique twist, relating everything to the local area.

To kick off the issue, we asked people what their connections to Princeton are with regards to something that is old, new, borrowed or blue! Watch our Pulse of Princeton video to get a look into what others connect with!

When it comes to Something Old, there are many, many options in this historic area. But the one we chose to write about is having a daily impact on those that need to travel to and from work. The article The Impact of Old Train Lines on Today’s Commuters details the numerous problems that are happening this summer, what is being done and what more needs to happen.

When not commuting, or if you are one who remains local, there is Something New around Princeton that we are sharing. In the article Princeton Offers New Experiences and Opportunities for Locals and Visitors, we offer a glimpse into new places for eating, sleeping and seeking help.

If you desire to broaden your mind, escape into some fiction or learn about places far away, it is easy to do so with Something Borrowed here in town. Opportunities Abound When One Borrows from Princeton Public Library touches on this local gem by looking back at the old system of acquiring information and sharing the latest enticements to do so.

It can be a bit trickier to find Something Blue, but Princeton is lucky that it’s Bluefish have been a part of the local community for over 50 years! Read the article What Does Being a Bluefish Really Entail? to learn more about this group of competitive swimmers.

Our Perspectives Revisited this month details updates on some items that could have a great impact in your life. Read on to learn more about a public hearing scheduled for next week, and the latest funding to help you get around.

Whether or not you are attending a wedding this summer, give yourself the chance to embark on a future journey that pays homage to this old rhyme and remember you can simply enjoy Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue right here, where they all come together to make Princeton the special place it is.

Happy Reading!

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!

Sometimes old things demonstrate their strength and virility and other times, they show their weakness and frailty. Today’s old Northeast Corridor train line, which is America’s busiest line and runs in full 457 miles from Washington D.C. to Boston, was constructed between 1830 and 1917. Though the strength of its tracks enable it to still operate, it is very much showing its age – at least on the stretch between New Jersey and New York.

A combination of sweltering heat and old systems are causing serious delays, commuting disruptions and sometimes complete suspension of service on NJ TRANSIT’s Northeast Corridor Rail Line (NEC), which utilize the approximately 58-mile stretch of NEC track between Trenton and New York City, have wreaked havoc for commuters this summer. Dozens of issues have been recorded since May, yet it is the only train option for those traveling this route – especially the locals that go regularly between Princeton Junction Station and New York Penn Station.

Something is not working right within the infrastructure owned by Amtrak and leased by NJ TRANSIT (NJT), or on NJT itself. It Is not yet clear whether it is Amtrak’s system that powers the trains, their overhead powerlines, switches or signals, or NJT’s systems that connect the overhead wires and draws the power to the trains. The bulk of the problems are occurring on the stretch of track that lays between Newark, NJ and New York City. Here nearly all NJT trains from NJ must pass to get into Penn, so the interruptions are causing problems for nearly all Garden State train commuters.

THE SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS

“We went through a period of 12 consecutive commutes with issues. Not just a small delay on the train but massive shutdowns where you have no idea if you’re getting home (or to work),” shares one local commuter, who has been commuting nearly daily since 2003. “A few years ago, NJT had what we recall as the ‘summer of hell’, but the difference there was a lot of the issues were planned work. Knowing an issue is coming, you can make alternate arrangements. This year these issues are unexpected; in many cases they start literally when you’re on your way to Penn Station.”

The latest NJT data available (for May and June 2024) shows 3%, or 105, of NJT trains on the NEC Line, were cancelled in May and 5.9% or 196 in June. For May it blames 58% of them on Amtrak, 65% for June. As Amtrak says its working to try and resolve the issues, in late June New Jersey’s 11 elected Representatives spoke out in a letter instructing the US Department of Transportation to investigate what is causing the breakdowns and what needs to be done to fix them.

“This is especially frustrating for New Jersey citizens and their elected representatives, as NJ TRANSIT is merely a tenant on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor; NJ TRANSIT neither owns nor maintains the Corridor. Amtrak does, and Amtrak’s troubles leave NJ TRANSIT in an impossible position – unable to direct repairs on Amtrak property and unable to provide proper, reliable service to paying customers who depend on them. This is seriously undermining the quality of life for New Jerseyans and their families, and if it continues it will threaten the state’s economic health.”

UTILITIES RESPOND

Just days after this letter was sent, Amtrak and NJT jointly informed the public, they are investigating.

“We understand the impact the recent events had on both Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT customers and their families, and we share their frustration,” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner says. “It’s vital we work with NJ TRANSIT to identify the root cause of these disruptions and return to on-time service and the quality experience customers expect.”

According to their statement, immediate actions being taken to try and resolve the issues include more frequent inspections of the tracks and overhead wiring structures between Trenton and New York City, installation of cameras to visually inspect the power connections, expanding inspections of overhead wire components through helicopter photography and a review of all of the issues with internal and external partners.

NJT RIDERS EXPECTATIONS AND OPTIONS

The customers, many of whom reside in this area, want more than just an investigation. How do they explain when the train “dies” just outside of NY Penn Station and commuters have to get out and walk the tracks to get into the station? As of last year, Princeton Junction Station was the 6^th most populated station in terms of ridership, servicing more than 86,000 people. Princeton resident, Rob Ehee, is one of them. He has been community from there into NYC for 19 years, 3-4 times per week and says whether the problem lays with Amtrak or NJT, it is time to own up and fix it.

“Service never improves because they clearly take no responsibility for customer service. We are paying NJT, they have to be accountable and find a way to fix the issues,” Ehee contends. “This summer seems worse because of the frequency of issues and the concentration of issues in a short timeframe. It’s barely July and I feel like we have exceeded last summer’s problems already.”

When problems are too disruptive, NJT cross honors tickets between its train and bus systems, hoping that will provide opportunities for commuters to get home. It also provides a link to help riders find options through Alternate, Backups and Contingencies. Still, stuck commuters tell Princeton Perspectives it’s a nice option, but often their train passes were already activated when they board a then-cancelled train (and refunds are not offered). Bus lines in Port Authority also become too long to endure. For some, it can mean hours of wait times or creative maneuvering. Many of the commuters we spoke with say they take the Port Authority’s PATH train to get out of the city, and then Uber home with friends or co-workers. Ubers to the Princeton-area from within NYC have risen to as much as $400 during these peak commuting shutdowns, so meeting up with others and going to NJ first seems to soften the blow.

“The best route is to take the PATH over to Newark and then carpool in an Uber back,” details Jenifer Ni, who has commuted 3-5 days-a-week for over 10 years. “Of course, it costs more, both financially and commute time! Think about the number of people on the train, the total time delayed, multiply by their hourly earning ability, this is a large of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) that is wasted.”

FARE HIKE IN INCONVENIENT TIMES

Given that most NJT riders are already paying more than the cost of a ticket to get around, the train company’s planned July 1^st rate-hike also did not sit well.

“I voiced my opinions during the open hearing in Trenton. 1) the challenge to their financials can be partially handled by service optimization. Ridership changed, why do they want to keep the ‘same’ service? 2) it is hard to justify 15% fare increase this year, it is harder to justify the annual 3% increase going forward, especially with this historical worst ride experiences lately,” Ni further shares. “Similar to Boeing, we need to scrutinize the leadership and board of NJ TRANSIT to make sure the leaders are competent and accountable to the rider community.”

With a Fiscal Year (FY) 25 operating budget gap of $106.6 million dollars, NJT says they had to work to prepare for growth, solve current and long-term funding needs and meet future demand. Using a three-pronged approach of trying to be more efficient, the fare hike and taking advantage of Governor Murphy’s Corporate Transit Fee, included in the FY25 State budget, they hope to get on better footing.

“While a fare increase is always an option of last resort – as evidenced by the six straight years of no fare increases under this administration – we recognize the impact an increase of any size has on all our customers and remain strongly committed to ensuring that overall service levels are not reduced through FY25,” NJ Transit explains.

Still, the fare hike, which also eliminated discounted multi-pack fares, is adding insult to injury, many say. As they work to become adept at alternate pathways into and out of New York City, passengers are hoping that something improves to allow the train to be the best and primary option.

“The passengers are the ones who bear the brunt of it all. Frankly it’s inexcusable that NJT would continue to just blame Amtrak. Where is Governor Murphy through all of this? Where is all the money from the infrastructure bill? Supposed to be billions for Amtrak,” said a Princeton NJT commuter.

FUTURE RESOLUTIONS

NJT says the new Portal North Bridge and the Hudson River Tunnels will bring with them new and upgraded infrastructure, which should be a game changer for Newark to New York City train passage. Coincidentally, just last week, a $6.8 billion Federal grant was authorized to help fund that work, known as the Gateway Program. It has been in the works for 14 years and efforts towards hiring contractors has already begun with hopes that physical work will get underway later this year. Amtrak, New York and New Jersey will be providing the remaining funds to get the $16b project completed, with an expected 2035 opening date.

NJT also shared some additional longer-term plans to address the infrastructure which include “added resources to expedite testing of transformers in substations, pursuing additional grants to replace catenary, substations and transmission, signal lines, and to support capital renewal, as well as evaluating methods to expand overnight work windows with service adjustments to accelerate renewal and repairs.”

In the meantime, for the 11 years that lay between now and the opening of the new tunnels, there is hope the investigations and fixes will get this old infrastructure reliably moving on the right track.

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 is never a wrong time to look towards the future with hope and optimism. And this summer, it’s easy to do so with the opening of new spaces and places that can help us to relax, get away and to get help. Interestingly, all of the things we’re writing about here, are new to us…though they have, in essence, been around for a long while!

TRIUMPH IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!

Triumph Brewery had been a well-known Princeton establishment. In fact, it was issued the very first brewpub license in the state of New Jersey when it first opened on Nassau Street in 1995. Through the years, additional locations in Red Bank and New Hope have found great success as well. But, as owner Adam Rechnitz looked to the future (and opportunity provided), he decided to relocate and take over the old post office building in downtown Princeton. His brand-new brewpub, now named Triumph Restaurant and Brewery, has finally opened (some of its space) in Palmer Square. Restoring an historic building and getting everything done just right took seven years to complete.

“Year one was planning board. Years two and three was hire three architecture firms and develop designs. Years four and five was apply for permits through the state of NJ during the middle of Covid. Years five, six and seven were construction,” explains Kevin Wilkes, of Princeton Design Guild, whose company was the on-site construction representative during the project and was also responsible for all of the custom and restoration woodwork at the brewpub. “Demo took six-months to remove all the asbestos, lead-based paint and plaster of the original building, in order to prepare to start construction. Inside the shell of this concrete and steel building, we had to construct a brewery, restaurant, kitchen, two bars, two dining rooms and back-of-house office spaces along with completely new utility, heating, cooling and air filtration systems.”

To preserve, restore and rebuild the 1930s building, the work was a full team effort additionally involving Design Architect, Richardson Smith Architects; Historic Preservation Architect, Historic Building Architects and Architect of Record, Gittings Associates, PC. The physical construction work was done by General Contractor, Massimino Building Corporation.

At one point or another you may have been inconvenienced by road closures and construction equipment, as crews worked to try and fit into the small area of Palmer Square as it worked inside and outside to get things completed. The location was complicated for Triumph and the municipality, which had weekly coordination meetings to try to minimize impact on the community and maximize advancing the build. Inside the now completed structure, you’ll notice an historic mural in the lobby and even teller windows from the old post office. These were all required, by the state office of historic preservation, to be restored and maintained within the new structure – so you can experience the old while enjoying the new. So far, only Der Keller, the basement bar, has thus far opened to the public. It is open daily at 4pm, though there is hope to add lunch hours in the future. The upstairs main dining room is not yet ready for business but does anticipate opening soon.

“It’s a completely new brew house. There’s a 10-barrel system similar in size to what we had on Nassau Street, but brand new. The entire kitchen is brand new, too. The space overall is brand new,” shares Eric Nutt, Corporate Sales Manager, Triumph Brewing Company. “Essentially, this is opening a brand-new location even though Triumph may feel comfortable to a lot of Princetonians. The menu is fairly new, it’s all a new experience for our guests.”

What’s not new is the quality of the award-winning beer, Nutt says. Once fully operating, there will be nine beers on tap at all times. Triumph also plans to have different menus with more pub-friendly fair in Der Keller, a heavier entrée menu in the main dining room and small plates available in the lounge.

IT’S TIME FOR GRADUATE

The coordination meetings that Triumph had to engage in with Princeton engineering were due in part to a new hotel being built simultaneously nearby on Nassau and Chambers Streets. Graduate Princeton, which anticipates having its doors open by late summer (the website is allowing bookings beginning August 15^th), had Chambers Street closed partially and sometimes entirely throughout its multi-year construction. The opening had been planned for early June, but that date came and went.

The hotel has not offered any explanations for the delay, but locals and visitors are eagerly awaiting the opening. It is the expectation that guests coming to move in their students to Princeton University this fall will sleep in carefully curated guest rooms, and the public will additionally be welcomed to enjoy a good drink and eats at the lobby bar and restaurant, Ye Tavern, where pre-prohibition era cocktails are the highlight. Much like Triumph, Graduate Princeton is incorporating the historic nature of the site into the new hotel.

“Ye Tavern is named after a storied bar that once occupied the same site in the 1930s, and the design is also inspired by Princeton University’s famed Eating Clubs. The restaurant and bar will be open to the public while also offering grab-and-go options for hotel guests,” notes Michael Monarca, General Manager, Graduate Princeton.

The Graduate hotel brand (found on or near over 30 college campuses across the country and UK) incorporates details from its nearby college or university into every aspect. The original structure that is housing Graduate Princeton was built by Princeton University as a student dormitory in 1918, so it provides an abundance of charm and history to pull from.

“Each property is entirely unique, featuring thoughtful, hyperlocal design that tells the story of its community. Our goal is for visiting alumni to discover references to their storied university traditions and feel a nostalgic connection to their alma mater, and for newcomers to walk away having learned something new. Graduate Hotels offer more than just a place to stay – they are the backdrop for some of life’s most memorable moments,” explains Kevin Osterhaus, President of Global Lifestyle Brands, Hilton.

The company has long had its eyes set on opening a hotel near Princeton University and was grateful to take advantage of repurposing and rebuilding to provide a curated local experience in this location.

“We were really inspired by the Princeton tradition of Eating Clubs and the Gothic architecture around campus, which informed a lot of the hotel’s design. In the lobby, guests will be greeted by a beautiful reception desk, flanked by a pair of carved wooden Tigers, (Princeton mascot),” Osterhaus adds. “The two-story library lounge is lined with thousands of books and a collection of vintage Senior Jackets – a token received by Princeton students upon graduating. The space is anchored by a thirty-foot carved wooden table for visitors to study, gather, and connect – a feature that is reminiscent of the historic libraries on campus.”

Just walk across Nassau street and peek in the window of PU’s Rockefeller College and you’ll see a similar long wooden table!

HEALTHY TRANSITIONS

There is yet another opportunity that is rather new in Princeton but has been around elsewhere for a while – and that is Princeton Integrated Behavioral Health.

For 51 years, Princeton relied on Corner House Behavioral Health as it partnered with the municipality to provide mental health services. After careful evaluation, it was decided last year that a savings of half-million dollars annually and an opportunity to provide expanded services, made it time for a necessary change. This led Princeton to instead contract with a new provider, Catholic Charities. In February, Princeton Integrated Behavioral Health (a program of Catholic Charities) opened its doors inside the old municipal building at 1 Monument Drive.

“Our goal is to address anyone’s needs that comes through the door. We focus on removing barriers to access to care,” explains Lisa Merritt, Chief Nurse Executive, Catholic Charities. “It doesn’t matter if you are uninsured, undocumented, or have private insurance – we see everyone regardless of their ability to pay.”

On an outpatient basis, the center offers individual therapy, medication management and offers nursing services to link individuals to primary care needs they may have. It also helps people address housing needs and food insecurity, providing case management services. Around since 1971, Catholic Charities has over 60 Behavioral Health programs working to overcome the stigma of mental health treatment and provide help. Princeton is its newest location.

“Unfortunately, even though within society we’ve had a lot of great progress, there is still a stigma out there with fear of labeling,” Merritt shares. “We find a lot of times individuals don’t want to be judged. A lot of times adolescent’s parents may think it will affect their child’s college years or ability to apply, which limits them from seeking services.”

That being said, in Princeton, the largest population seeking help over the past months has been adolescents, or parents seeking help for their adolescent children. This location helps patients ages 12 and older. Yet surprisingly, only about 70 patients have sought it out thus far. Most other sites see 70 patients daily.

“We are trying to normalize that everyone has a struggle at some point, and we are here to support people through that process and be compassionate with them about it,” Merritt adds.

With eight people on site (including a psychiatrist, clinicians, office manager and those helping with housing and food insecurity), the center is there to help people on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9am-5pm and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am-8pm. Telehealth services are also available for those that can’t or choose not to visit in person. All those seeking help can contact the access center at 800-360-7711.

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!