Shing-Fu Hsueh gives annual state of the township address.
By: Shanay Cadette
WEST WINDSOR Building a transit village at the Princeton Junction train station may be the best way to secure an identity for the township, said Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh in his annual state of the township address Tuesday.
That issue, along with plans to improve pedestrian safety in West Windsor, was one of many outlined in the mayor’s speech.
About 70 people including business and Mercer County leaders, along with West Windsor employees and township officials heard the mayor speak at Mercer County Community College.
The mayor’s speech touched on how a sense of community can be created by making the train station, one of the township’s greatest assets, the center of town. Building a transit village a mixed-use development that combines businesses, housing, parking, retail and differing modes of transportation at one site may be the best way to accomplish that.
"A sense of community and a clear identity are needed for West Windsor," Mr. Hsueh said. "This will improve our ability to attract businesses to West Windsor."
He also spoke of impending changes that will benefit residents, including a proposal to construct a bus rapid transit system for the township and surrounding areas, the addition of sidewalks and bike lanes and a traffic-calming roundabout at the upcoming replacement for the Alexander Road bridge and his continued quest to secure state and federal funding to preserve and purchase open space.
"We must capitalize on this momentum to feed our future successes," Mr. Hsueh said.
He also called on the community to help him make West Windsor a great place to live.
"An identity for West Windsor, a sense of community and a place we can all be proud of are what it takes to make this great community even greater," Mr. Hsueh added. "I continue to ask for your support, commitment and encouragement."
Some West Windsor residents and officials who heard the address liked what the mayor had to say.
"The mayor outlined many of his accomplishments throughout his term so far, and I think his constituents are very proud of his achievements on behalf of the township," said Marvin Gardner, chairman of the township’s Planning Board.
Former Mayor Carole Carson said she was happy to hear about proposals to improve pedestrian safety and the news about securing funding through the Army Corps of Engineers to clean up and repair Grovers Mill Pond.
"We need to get that dam fixed," she said.