To the Editor:

It is astonishing that taxpayers are being asked to support the shortfall (estimated at $48 million by the Princeton Coalition for Responsible Development) that will eventually result from the proposed tax break being granted to Herring Properties for a gift in lieu of taxes for the “development” of the plot that belonged to Princeton Theological Seminary. This seems egregious,  especially since we are also being asked to approve a $89.1 million bond referendum in January to help Princeton’s schools.  Furthermore, this comes at a time when another group of schoolchildren, perhaps as many as 100 or more (a conservative estimate of incoming children is 150) is arriving — whom we are in effect subventing.

The reasons given in support of offering this break do not carry weight, especially the claim that the gateway into town will be enhanced.  How does the placement of a large development near the entrance to the borough adjacent to historic buildings and a historic district represent enhancement? Or the massive increase in traffic that will result, especially when people go to work?  As it is I can hardly cross Mercer Street to walk my dog during rush hours. I question the assumption that people will walk rather than drive to get the necessary items that they need to live, when the nearest shopping center is over a mile away.

How is there a gain in the amount of open space? (My son used to play at the site and went to programs in the Gym that was torn down.)  As it  is, Marquand Park is effectively next door.

My concerns about enhancement extend to the question of water runoff and disruption of underground streams.  I have asked repeatedly about this matter, and to date no public study has been made about the potential impact of construction of houses and parking structures on this matter of which I am aware.  When  the Theology School Library was built detritus including gravel ran off and flowed down into the culvert that runs through my property across Mercer Street and caused it to flood, while neighboring houses were also flooded.  As the water comes ultimately from springs located in this area and flows down to be collected again to where it may be treated for usage, this is also a health question that has not been answered.

Thomas Dacosta Kaufmann
Marquand Professor of Art and Archaeology, Princeton University
Mercer Street

Note: When asked for a response, the Municipality encouraged residents to research the facts. They also provided a link to further information on the municipal website at princetonnj.gov/DocumentCenter/Index/2403.