By Anne Levin

When developers of the Graduate Hotel planned for 20 Nassau Street came to Princeton Council a month ago with the news that Chambers Street would most likely not be kept open to two-way traffic during the extensive construction process, members of the governing body were not happy.

Council asked the developers and builder Hunter Roberts Construction Group which had previously indicated that the road might stay open both ways, to take another look, and see if there was any way to keep the traffic flowing in both directions. On Monday night, at another work session on the project, they got the disappointing news that there was not.

“We’ve all come to the conclusion that Chambers will have to be one-way northbound,” said James Purcell, Princeton’s assistant municipal engineer. Christopher DeGrezia, attorney for Graduate Hotel, added, “We did a deep dive into the construction and the tasks we are doing along Chambers so we can evaluate what equipment will be there, what space we’ll need, and what minimum distance we’ll need during various stages.”

The fact that Witherspoon Street, where another project is underway, has also been made one-way northbound caused concern among Council members. Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros asked if Chambers Street could be directed southbound instead. “From a traffic standpoint, southbound is the way to go. The only way out will be Vandeventer Avenue and Palmer Square. So at the very least, it should be southbound.”

But Purcell explained that from a safety standpoint, that would not work. “We analyzed what would be the best way for the community in terms of safety. I’ve also had meetings with the police, the Office of Emergency Management, fire officials and Princeton First Aid and Rescue Squad. Everyone is in agreement that northbound is better than southbound for responding [to emergency situations]. Southbound could tie up traffic; northbound is easily cleared.”

Tom O’Shea of Hunter Roberts went over the eight stages of the project, with a timeline that ends in December 2023. Interior demolition has been underway at 20 Nassau, and demolition of the buildings on Chambers Street, where an addition will be built,  is to begin next month.

Councilwoman Eve Niedergang asked that efforts be made to complete the project by the beginning of December rather than the end. “Having that road be opened to two-way traffic for the holiday season of 2023 would really make a big difference,” she said. “I also want to make sure you are reaching out to every resident and business owner that is affected by this. We want them to have the same time and consideration you’ve given to us.”

There were several questions about fitting in various trucks, dumpsters, and sliding gates that will secure the site. “We have skepticism as a Council because the last presentations were not well thought through,” said Councilman David Cohen at one point during the presentation. “I’m not sure it is from what I’m seeing here, but you can continue.”

Lambros suggested having a crossing guard on Chambers Street to help with pedestrian traffic at peak times during the construction phase, and asked Graduate Hotel to help with support.

Pablo David, vice president of community relations for the company, said he is working on a more efficient way of communicating, such as a newsletter or other outlet to get updates out quickly and in advance of construction stages. “Timeliness is key so that people can plan accordingly,” he said. “I’m in constant communication with Palmer Square and other areas. We want to be an agent of that.”

Council also held a work session on a proposal for a program that would allow developers to make payments in lieu of parking (PILOPs) in instances where they can’t park on site.

The next public meeting of Council is Monday, May 9 at 7 p.m. Visit princetonnj.gov for an agenda on the Friday before the meeting.