Designers Present Initial Concept Plan For Princeton’s Nassau Street

PRINCETON, NJ – Montclair-based Street design firm Arterial, recently presented their design concept for Nassau Street to Council.

In January, the Municipality engaged Arterial to spearhead the design and planning for Nassau Street Corridor which will stretch from Bayard Lane to Moore Street.

The project has been ongoing since 2016 and included public meetings and surveys.

Representatives from Arterial said they worked closely with the Engineering and Planning Department, Historic Preservation Commission and other stakeholders while working on the design.

Arterial designer James Ribaudo presented details on materials, seating and other aspects of the project.

“This is a historic corridor and the materials selected should reflect that. The design itself should stand the test of time and not go out of style in the next couple of years,” Ribaudo said.

To this end the design firm thought it best to utilize “authentic materials” that have stood the test of time. “The majority of the sidewalk would be concrete with some tint or special finish,” Ribaudo said. “The real purpose of that is to provide a texture to enhance the pedestrian experience.”

The furniture palette will provide a sophisticated and flexible look. Arterial plans to place backed and backless cube benches on the street which will create social spaces. The furniture will be made with thermally modified Ash, which is a sustainable hardwood.

There are also plans to place a simple, inverted bike rack on the sidewalk and trash receptacles that match the furniture.

Another proposed idea was to reduce the number of travel lanes on Nassau Street, between Witherspoon St and Vandeventer Avenue, to create a bike lane on the northwestern portion of the street.

With Nassau Street being a state highway, the project would require approval from the New Jersey Department of Transportation.

The final schematic design is planned for September. Construction is anticipated late 2024-25.

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