Princeton Council Supports Renovating One of Two Downtown Kiosks

Vandeventer KioskThe Princeton Council was split tonight on whether to allow the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce to manage the two kiosks on Nassau Street.

After debating the issue, the Council decided to allow the Chamber to renovate one kiosk, but to leave the other one the way it is for now.

“The kiosks are unsightly and lend nothing at all to the ambience of the community,” Councilman Bernie Miller said. “It looks like a street corner in a rustbelt town…This plan would be a great improvement over what is there now. Frankly I think either they ought to be replaced or removed.”

Councilman Lance Liverman said giving control of the kiosks to the Chamber would also save a few tax dollars.

“This is a lease agreement, “Liverman said. “If we don’t like how it goes we can do something different down the road.”

Architect Bob Hillier presented revised plans for the kiosks. As part of his firm’s design, the kiosks would be shaped like crosses to provoke more surface area for posters and public notices.

Councilman Patrick Simon said though he previously opposed the proposal, the revisions to the plan strike a good balance and serve both the business community and the public.

“If you go look at the kiosks, they are not something to be proud of right now,” Simon said. “The concern I had in February was that we were commercializing the town. What this is doing is striking a balance.”

But other council members said many Princeton residents want the kiosks to remain as they are, even if they are messy.

“We’ve heard loud and clear  that citizens like them the way they are and they want them to stay,” Councilwoman Jo Butler said.

“It’s not worth adding paid advertising where we don’t see it now, and taking away the character of the downtown,”  Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller said. “The public works department can spruce up the the kiosks and the cost is not humongous.”

Councilwoman Heather Howard said the kiosks are part of what makes Princeton special.

“We are seeing an increasing commercialization, and more chains coming in to Princeton, Howard said. “This is a solution to a problem that doesn’t need fixing. I’m not hearing form anyone who is concerned about them. I have a friend who can put up notices about his band. It really is a part of what makes the town unique.”

Liverman accused Council members who oppose the plan of not wanting to support local businesses. “I don’t see why this isn’t a win win,” he said.

The Council was divided 3-3 on the issue, which meant Lempert would cast the tie-breaking vote.

“I do agree with that we do not want to pick up this cost,” she said.

Lempert then proposed that the Chamber renovate one kiosk and see how it works out.

The council will vote on a lease agreement with the Chamber to manage one kiosk at the next council meeting.

3 Comments

  1. I am generally opposed to corporate influence on the kiosks, but this compromise might be OK. Bernie Miller is way out of line- the kiosks as they are now are a true representation of messy American democracy. Everyone has the same opportunity to use the boards and there is no preference given to corporations, unlike almost every other sector of modern life. That said, I can live with a trial on one of the kiosks, to see how a ‘cleaned-up’ approach might look. As Lance Liverman says, we can always demand that it gets restored to the old layout if we don’t like it. I’m surprised that the Council feels like this is an important use of their time. I’d prefer them to be discussing bike trails and walking paths instead of this.

  2. I’m so sad that Liz chose to go with commercial speech over public access. I’m really surprised at the elitists in the Democratic party. Lance, Bernie, and Patrick should be ashamed of themselves. Voting to get rid of the one way the common person has of advertising in Princeton.

    1. Since Marchard’s backing of Republican candidates the local Democratic party is full of DINOs. (See Peter Marks’ letter in the Town Topic today for examples)

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