Planning board hearing on Princeton University’s plans for Prospect Avenue carried over until July 8
The Princeton Planning Board met for more than four hours on Thursday night and reviewed Princeton University’s plans to demolish three Victorians on Prospect Avenue and move the former Court Club building at 91 Prospect Avenue across the street to make way for a modern “Theorists’ Pavilion.” The board heard testimony from university staff members and the university’s consultants on the project, as well as from planners and other experts who oppose the demolition of the houses and the Court Club move.
University representatives made it clear that the university won’t compromise for the project, and that if the planning board does not approve the plans, the university will demolish all of the buildings anyway. Some speakers questioned whether the nature of the relationship between the university and the town has changed, and pointing to past development plans that were controversial, but where the university worked with residents to reach a compromise.
More than 70 people attended the meeting via Zoom. More than 1,000 residents have signed a petition opposing the demolition of the three houses and the Court Club move.
We will update this story with more details later today.
Krystal Knapp is the founding editor of Planet Princeton. Follow her on Twitter @krystalknapp. She can be reached via email at editor AT planetprinceton.com. Send all letters to the editor and press releases to that email address.
Perhaps the university representatives should start wearing “I really don’t care, do you?” jackets.
Rosedale Mills, the Merwick Mansion, the homes on north Alexander Rd., Butler Apts.
The University typically demolishes homes and buildings before the public is even aware that redevelopment is happening.
Moving the Dinky (and that sea of an unused parking lot) was a failure, most would agree.
This time, quite a few of us were ready for them.
Of course, they have $1mm in endowment for every person who lives in Princeton ( $30billion total), and
Ron McCoy couldn’t care less what any of us, including duly elected or appointed leaders, think.
The project is a public good and in the community’s interest. The folks who are arguing otherwise are no doubt well intentioned but that does not make them right. The young people and families of Princeton stand to gain from the project as proposed — as do visitors to town and our local merchants.
That does not seem to be a fair characterization. I have not heard anyone being against the project in general.
I have heard a lot of people unhappy about the tiny piece of it which unnecessarily tramples on the Prospect Avenue historic neighborhood.
It’s totally avoidable, and the University can still achieve 100% of its functional objectives and benefits without so doing.
This looks like a good project. People in Princeton are all about private property rights until it’s their neighbors property and they want tell them what to do or not to do. Princeton Univeraity has a history of good design that benefits both students and visitors with some exceptions.
Astonishingly arrogant move–even for the Houston of New Jersey!