Princeton U. Compromises On Prospect Ave., Saves Historic Homes

PRINCETON, NJ — The Planning Board on Thursday night unanimously approved a variance that allows Princeton University to go ahead with their building plans on Prospect Avenue while preserving the three Victorian homes and the Court Clubhouse.

This comes as a major win for the activists and residents who have been opposing the University’s controversial plan.

Princeton University had initially planned to move the Court Clubhouse, a former eating club on 91 Prospect Avenue, across the street to the site of the three 19th-century homes. The Court Clubhouse land would then be used to build a “Theorist Pavilion”- part of the Environmental Science (ES) and School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) building.

But after months of back-and-forth and strong public resistance, Princeton University presented a “compromise plan” that finally got approved.

The University reached an agreement with Princeton Prospect Foundation (PPF), and with advice from municipal staff, presented a revised plan for the Thursday meeting.

This plan involves relocating 91 Prospect, the Court Clubhouse, to a site across the street but closer to the North Garage. This will allow two of three Victorian homes — 114 Prospect and 116 Prospect to remain in place; and the third — 110 Prospect, will be relocated to a site near the rear of 114 and 116 Prospect.

The University also agreed to four conditions:

1. Support the creation of a new local historic district being considered by the Princeton Historic Preservation Commission (the “Prospect Avenue Historic District.”)
2. Within six months of relocation of 91 Prospect and 110 Prospect, the University will submit an application/nomination to the State Historic Preservation Office/National Park Service requesting a Boundary Adjustment to the state and federal Princeton Historic Districts to add the relocated Court Clubhouse, the relocated 110 Prospect Avenue structure, the existing 114, 116, and 120 Prospect Avenue structures, and the Ferris Thompson Gateway and associated brick wall.
3. Rehabilitate 110, 114, and 116 Prospect in a manner that follows the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
4. Will consider placing signage outside 114 Prospect to acknowledge the famous residents who lived there in the past.

Earlier, the PPF had also raised concerns about the landscape plan in front of the Theorist Pavilion that is part of the site plan. The University said it will work with PPF and the municipal engineers to develop alternatives for this space that will be compatible to the project.

Complete details of the plan can be found here.

Related Coverage:

Petition Urges Princeton U. To Not Demolish Three Historic Homes

Princeton U. Prospect Ave Plan Not Endorsed At Special Meeting

Princeton U. Defends Prospect Avenue Plan As Resistance Mounts

Princeton U. Says Will Demolish 91 Prospect If Plan Not Approved

Princeton Residents Form Coalition For Responsible Development

No Outcome As Princeton Prospect Ave. Plan Discussion Continues

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