Forty firms ready to design West Windsor’s new station complex

Officials pleased with response as selection process begins

By: Emily Craighead
   WEST WINDSOR — Nearly 40 architectural and engineering firms lined up to submit proposals to redevelop the area around the Princeton Junction train station on Monday.
   Representatives from firms including Hillier Architecture, Parsons Brinckerhoff, KSS Architects and Clarke Caton Hintz attended an information meeting with township officials.
   "We were extremely pleased with the response," Councilwoman Heidi Kleinman said after attending the meeting. "I’m confident we will get a sufficient number of qualified architect-planners."
   Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh described the firms as "top-notch."
   During the information session, Township Attorney Michael J. Herbert and representatives from NJ Transit presented information to the firms about the background of the project, the history of the township, and the township’s ban on pay-to-play.
   The consultants mostly listened, but also asked questions to gauge community and government support for the project, according to Ms. Kleinman. She said the response from consultants confirms that the township has done a good job so far on the redevelopment project.
   "I knew this project would be very attractive," Mayor Hsueh said, citing the train station’s ranking as one of the 10 busiest in the nation, and its location in central New Jersey.
   The township has $230,000 available for creating a master plan, but Mayor Hsueh said the township will continue to pursue smart-growth grants.
   The proposals are due May 30. The proposals then will be reviewed by a seven-member search committee, which comprises Mayor Hsueh, Ms. Kleinman, Township Planning Board members Marvin Gardner and Steve Jany, as well as the township engineer and the township planning and zoning officer. Councilwoman Kristin Appelget had volunteered to serve on the search committee, but she will be stepping down from the council May 8 and the council has yet to decide what her role will be.
   Mr. Herbert will advise the committee, and planning consultant John Madden, who wrote the redevelopment plan, may also participate.
   The redevelopment boundaries encompass 350 acres surrounding the Princeton Junction train station. With 65 properties, the area is considered one of the fastest-growing parts of the township. Twenty-five of the properties are vacant lots, parking areas or properties related to railroad operations. About 110 acres are in municipal, public or railroad ownership, and 240 acres are privately owned.
   The township received approval from the state Department of Community Affairs for the redevelopment designation Feb. 8.