To the Editor:

I write in full agreement with the recent letter from Brian Levinson [“Noting That Witherspoon Street is a Silver Lining in Year of Pandemic,” Mailbox, November 11]. I share Mr. Levinson’s admiration for the changes that have been made to Witherspoon Street this year. It has been a delight to walk through, seeing people safely enjoying food outdoors, supporting local businesses, and contributing to a pleasant atmosphere in this challenging time.

I understand that Princeton Council is now considering long-term changes to Witherspoon Street as part of a planned engineering project. I hope that Council will create a traffic-free space on lower Witherspoon Street, where residents and visitors might enjoy public art, live music, and outdoor dining. This is a generational opportunity to enhance the lives of people who love to spend time in downtown Princeton.

Similar traffic-free spaces exist in Charlottesville, Va., Ithaca, N.Y., and even in downtown Somerville, N.J. I have visited all three of these towns, and greatly enjoyed their pedestrian areas, where kids can run free, and high-quality plantings and art enhance the environment. Traffic-free spaces attract people, potentially generating increased trade for local businesses, and sustaining a lively downtown. Although there may be challenges with managing parking and deliveries, Princeton people have the wit to solve these issues, just as community leaders have in these other towns.

At the time of writing, 250 residents have signed a petition to demonstrate support for a walkable downtown Witherspoon Street. I invite anyone interested to join us in signing it at: http://chng.it/WtYGjmgbfk.

Samuel F. Bunting
Dempsey Avenue