Consolidation May Jeopardize Princeton's Vibrant Downtown

To the Editor, 

Princeton–and I include both the Borough and the Township in that word– is a very special town, particularly in the United States. It has a vibrant downtown, whereas most town centers have declined in favor of the surrounding suburbs and malls. I wonder if one of the reasons is our unique political structure where the dense town center and the thriving suburb each has its own government. I wonder if one of the reasons that Princeton has a thriving walkable center and access to long-distance public transportation is the fact that the town center has its own municipal government and controls its own political destiny. 

A good example of a town where the downtown does not have a separate government is Princeton Junction, which for decades had been the population center of West Windsor Township, now one of the wealthiest municipalities in New Jersey. In the past, Princeton Junction was a downtown with a real sense of place. How could West Windsor Township have allowed Princeton Junction, with its advantages of proximity to the Northeast Corridor and Route 1, to become a run-down pastiche of semi-occupied strip malls? Probably because most residents of West Windsor live miles awayand only drive through Princeton Junction or catch the train there. The current redevelopment plan for Princeton Junction took many years to approve because most residents of West Windsor saw the costs but didn’t see any benefit for them because they live far away from the downtown. Would Princeton Junction have been neglected if it had been the center of a smaller municipality, like Princeton Borough? I doubt it. 

Look at successful downtowns in the immediate area – Pennington, Hopewell, Rocky Hill, Hightstown, and Allentown – all are boroughs much smaller than Princeton. Not very long ago, these towns were essentially similar to other communities in the region that are part of larger municipalities—Princeton Junction, Mercerville, Yardville, and Hamilton Square. Over the years, the boroughs have retained their character while the other communities have lost most of what made them identifiable. 

Alexi Assmus

Princeton Borough