University's Donation to Borough Will Include Bus Shelter for Plaza

Candace Braun

Borough Council unanimously agreed to use $119,200 of Princeton University's $150,000 donation to purchase furnishings for the Princeton Public Library's plaza. The remaining $30,800 will be put into a contingency fund to be used for maintenance of the plaza as items need to be replaced.

The decision was made at a Council meeting on Wednesday, April 7.

The University's donation will replace the $102,200 the Borough has put aside to pay for the plaza furnishings, which will now go back into the contingency fund. The donation will pay for chairs, tables, benches, planters, bicycle racks, and tree grates for the plaza. In addition, the Borough may also now purchase a $13,000 bus shelter that was not originally budgeted into the plan.

"I think it's important we acknowledge mass transit in our plan," said Councilwoman Wendy Benchley, Council's liaison for the Plaza Art Committee.

Pending approval by Borough Engineer Carl Peters, tree grates designed to look like the "carbon atom" will also be purchased for the plaza, as a tribute to Albert Einstein.

A total of $4,000 beyond the proposed budget of $115,200 will be given to the Plaza Art Committee for possible change orders to the project.

"The University is pleased to present this gift towards such a worthwhile public space initiative that should bring great pleasure to all residents of Princeton in both the town and gown communities," read a letter from Pam Hersh, director of the University's Office of Community and State Affairs.

Council will meet with the Plaza Art Committee in one month to approve the final budget of the project plan.