Princeton Engages Company To Design Improvements To Hinds Plaza

PRINCETON, NJ — Council on Monday adopted a resolution awarding a contract to a Montclaire-based company for completing a concept design for Hinds Plaza.

Arterial, LLC will provide concept design and community outreach at a cost not exceeding $32,500. The term of the contract is twelve months, beginning Aug. 28 to Aug. 27, 2024.

Hinds Plaza is a popular community gathering place that hosts the Princeton Farmers’ Market, Princeton Public Library activities, and other community events.

The Municipality is currently in the process of upgrading and improving its public spaces. With construction ongoing in Witherspoon Street, Princeton would like to begin conceptual design of the adjacent Hinds Plaza, with an aim to “refresh” this space.

According to a memo from Municipal Engineer and Deputy Administrator Deanna Stockton, the concrete and brick surfacing, lighting, and landscaping at Hinds Plaza have remained largely untouched for almost 20 years and now require maintenance or replacements.

“During the initial community engagement phase for the Witherspoon Street improvement project in 2020, residents provided ideas such as adding a stage and speakers, demonstration/accessible plantings to increase habitat and biodiversity, removing the shrub hedge to visually open the plaza and architecture,” Stockton said in the memo.

“With the sidewalk expansion on Witherspoon Street adjacent to Hinds Plaza, it is an appropriate time to engage the community again and determine what type of improvements may be desired for Hinds Plaza.”

Arterial, LLC. has already provided a proposal to develop up to three concept designs for the plaza after conducting public engagement activities, Stockton said.

The Municipality expects the design to include paving, lighting, landscape, furnishings, perimeter security and bicycle parking.

The company will be conducting various outreach initiatives. First is the steering committee, a 3-10 person committee that will be actively engaged throughout the process and will guide the decision-making. Next are the stakeholders, a larger group of people who will be directly impacted by the project area. This group will include emergency services, store owners, community groups and more. Early in the process, interviews will be held with each of the groups. A Public Open House and an Interactive Public Workshop will also be held, according to Arterial’s proposal.

“I think it’s a good idea to have that kind of public outreach. Arterial has been working with us on the Nassau Streetscape, so this will be a similar process,” said Councilwoman Michelle Pirone Lambros. “I commend Deanna and her team for having the foresight to bring them on.”

Council adopted the resolution unanimously.

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