Bright outlook for Dohm Alley

Dear Editor,

At the end of an auspicious year for Princeton Future, the private, non-profit community planning organization can now share good news about Dohm Alley and its future in 2021. 

Dohm Alley, the 10-foot wide space that runs off Nassau Street between Starbucks and Landau’s store, was transformed several years ago into an arts and performance space, which also offers a quiet and comfortable place to sit – a pleasant discovery for many Nassau Street pedestrians. A team of artists and craftspeople, organized by Princeton Future’s Kevin Wilkes, created the inaugural exhibit dedicated to the Romantic poets. This outdoor space has also been the site of several dance recitals, poetry readings, and lectures.

Now Emma Brigaud, a Princeton resident who is a graduate of the Stuart School and William & Mary, has replaced the alley’s inaugural exhibit with “Winter Wonderland,” a brightly lit installation that creates a warm space in the dark days of winter. Emma, who worked on the project with four other volunteers, was an intern on the original Dohm Alley installation.

Another exhibit, sponsored by Princeton Future in conjunction with the Arts Council of Princeton and its Artist in Residence, Robin Resch, will open in the spring. The work, titled “Taking Pause,” will include reflections of Princeton during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Artists or performers are urged to offer suggestions for other displays or exhibits suitable for Dohm Alley. Please e-mail Princeton.Future.2035@gmail.com.

The year 2020, Princeton Future’s 20th year of engaging the community in pursuit of smart growth and sustainable and equitable planning, was marked by other good news. Princeton Future’s participatory planning process has helped create real progress in consideration of affordable and market-rate housing at the former medical center parking lot on Franklin Avenue. A community-wide Princeton Future meeting in February was followed up by several workshops and another community meeting in October, this one moderated by Princeton mayor Liz Lempert. A 17-person task force, chaired by Princeton Future board member Tony Nelessen, now is studying the Franklin Avenue project in greater depth.

Last year has been a tumultuous one, with national and global challenges that often seem overwhelming. We at Princeton Future take heart in the realization that small steps we can all take in our own community can make a difference.

Sheldon Sturges
Executive Director