Princeton Witherspoon St. Plan Recommends Outdoor Dining Change

PRINCETON, NJ — In response to the pandemic last year, several parking spaces in Princeton were converted into outdoor dining spots. This was extremely popular among residents, businesses, and visitors. But this could change.

Under the new Witherspoon Street concept plan presented by Municipal Engineer Deanna Stockton, the recommendation was made to remove curbside pickup lanes, reduce dining areas and restore parking spots.

Instead, there would be four dining zones — one each near Agricola, La Mezzuna, Alchemist & Barrister, and Small World Coffee.

“We are still working with police, emergency, and public works to tweak this design,” Stockton said at the council meeting held Monday. “We presented a version of this to the business community when we met with them last Friday.”

Witherspoon Street has been a subject of a study to reimagine it for the coming 23 to 30 years.

Stockton has been working with consultants T&M Associates on the plan.

Stockton said the goal of the new plan was to enhance economic vitality, have flexible designs, and enhanced stormwater management.

She presented two possible designs but leaned more towards the first as it continues "green infrastructure, trees lining both sides of the street, and concentrated parking toward the Nassau Street end of the street.”

Stockton said the reduction in outdoor dining spaces comes as the state is slowing reopening and restaurants are increasing indoor dining capacity.

Resident Nat Bottigheimer expressed concern about the space given over to parking.

“Our competitor advantage is being walkable, sociable town and that’s the advantage we should be maximizing and leveraging to get business,” said Bottigheimer.

Resident Sam Bunting raised questions about how much public consultation was considered as the plan evolved, especially from renters living above stores on Witherspoon Street.

“Typically when we do a street redesign in Princeton we do a lot of resident consultation. I’m concerned that potentially low-income renters in those apartments have not been consulted.”

Bunting said that residents and visitors enjoyed the outdoor dining opportunities. “My worry is that even with the latest design concepts we seem to have cut back on space for outdoor dining.”

Councilmember David Cohen said that under the new plan, there will be space for "cafe tables" but not six-seater ones.

The council made a motion to move forward with the idea of removing the curbside pickup and waiting zones.

Mayor Mark Freda also suggested a meeting be organized with people who live on Witherspoon Street.

The next public Zoom meeting on phase 2 of the plan is scheduled for May 18, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Click here to attend.

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