Kevin Wilkes, Chairman of Princeton Future Council, addresses a gathering of community residents in the Public Library Community Room last Saturday, as they work together towards the improvement of “one of the most beautiful towns in America.”

Not yet “in an advocacy role, we’re still in a listening role,” Kevin Wilkes, Chairman of the Princeton Future Council explained to about 60 community residents gathered last Saturday in the Public Library Community Room.

Mr. Wilkes promised that Princeton Future would be in a “recommendation role” by next spring,” but Saturday’s meeting focused on presenting “the results of what we heard from you two weeks ago and offering suggestions on how we might move forward together.” 

At the November 21 meeting of Princeton Future, some 60 participants each received 12 green dots and 12 red dots С green for aspects of the town they liked, red for those they didn’t like С to stick on large maps of Princeton that were posted on the wall.

“This is not a scientific survey,” Mr. Wilkes reminded the group. “Gallup would be outraged. It’s an emotional survey, but emotions are important.”

Two out of three dots (397 out of 612) placed on the maps were green. “Our goal is to increase that ratio to 3-1, 75 percent positive,” Mr. Wilkes said. “We move forward in increments, set goals that we can actually accomplish.”

Most of the red dots were concentrated in relatively few locations, with the arts and transit area collecting the most negative responses, followed closely by the former hospital site, then the new housing area at Palmer Square North. Some discussion ensued as to the reasons for the criticisms, but Mr. Wilkes pointed out that one of those projects is complete, the other two are underway, and there should be grounds for a more positive outlook in the future.

As far as the positive responses are concerned, ”We are sitting in your favorite spot in the community.” The library, along with Hinds Plaza, Mr. Wilkes stated, in reflecting on the 15-year process, ”is evidence of the positive effects of smart planning.”

Other areas receiving the most positive responses from the participants at the previous meeting included Guyot Walk (#2 favorite), Harrison Street Park (#3), Nassau Inn Green (#4), and the cemetery (#5). Mr. Wilkes offered the suggestion that the cemetery has “the potential of a central park for the town — a space that we admire, a space that we should consider how to increase access to and use more fully.”

Other places in town marked with multiple green dots included Community Park, the E Quad and Andlinger Center, the Garden Theatre, Jefferson Road, Lake Carnegie, McCarter Theatre, the swimming pool complex and the Petronella Garden and Mountain Avenue area.

Mr. Wilkes emphasized that Princeton Future still has “homework to do” before making any formal recommendations, but he suggested that, in the area of traffic, where there were many concerns, the Nassau-Mercer Street intersection and Witherspoon between Nassau and Spring Streets are problem spots. Traffic studies continue with ideas to improve the width of the sidewalks on Witherspoon by eliminating parking on one side or perhaps allowing traffic in only one direction.

Another member of the Council, Ralph Widner, “the numbers cruncher,” focused on the traffic problem. “Car pooling is a solution to traffic woes because the work destinations are concentrated in Princeton,” he explained.

Peter Kramer demonstrated a “Car Pooling: Princeton Rideshare” app that has recently been created to rapidly match up drivers who can conveniently car pool together.

In presenting notes from the Princeton Future Housing task force, Mr. Wilkes discussed a number of concerns about gentrification, shortage of low-income housing, and increasing costs squeezing out many low and middle-income residents, with suggestions for long-term planning, examination of zoning, harmonization of existing codes, and funding for low-income residents.

Community residents brought up their worries about tax increases that might accompany several of the ideas raised.

Before Princeton Future’s recommendations go before the Princeton Merchants Association, Municipal Staff or the Town Council, Princeton Future hopes to expand community engagement.