University Officials Discuss Lewis Center Proposal at Farmers Market

Representatives from Princeton University were at the farmer’s market in Hinds Plaza on Thursday to show residents a model of their proposed arts and transit center for University Place and answer questions.

A steady stream of people stopped by.

Kristin Appelget, director of community affairs for Princeton University, said she was pleased by the community’s interest and said the 3-D model of the proposed site helped make a complex project more concrete for residents.

And while the university is pleased that the borough has introduced the Arts and Transit ordinance for discussion, Appelget said there’s a need to move forward quickly.

“The university is going to build a center for the performing arts,” Appelget said. “We’re going to need some indication (from municipal officils) this summer.”

Without movement from the borough on this project, the university would look to build the center elsewhere on campus, she said.

Geoff Aton of Princeton Township, who has ridden the Dinky train every day for the past three years, stopped by the university's tent.

“I didn’t know the concept of the design and infrastructure before,” Aton said. “On paper it looks great. But there are a lot of things on paper that look great that don’t turn out so great.”

Aton rides his bicycle to the train each day and uses a path through campus, so he said he’s not concerned about parking or traffic under the proposal to build the $300 million Lewis Center.

Moving the Dinky roughly 400 feet south of its current location will add about a minute to his commute, Aton estimates.

The plan to move the Dinky rail station south would hopefully free up parking along University Place, Appelet said, noting that the university estimates that about 70 percent of the commuter cars are still parked along the street during McCarter Theatre shows, so if parking is moved south to the new proposed Dinky rail location, that would free up parking for McCarter patrons.

The university is also talking to local restaurants about opening a café and a full-service restaurant in what are now the North and South Station buildings, Appelet said.