Find a way to save the Dinky

Kip Cherry, Princeton
With the recent work stoppage on the new Hudson River Tunnel we have a real reminder of the tremendous importance that the State of New Jersey has placed on rail for the state’s economic future. For years, in spite of tight finances, New Jersey Transit has shown its belief in the potential economic importance of the Dinky by continuing to support it. Princeton should do whatever it can now to grow its unique connection to the Mainline.
   Proposals to shorten the Dinky line or asphalt the right-of-way for a BTR (Bus Rapid Transit) have all the appearances of throwing this asset away. With parking at Princeton Junction mostly reserved for West Windsor residents, if we continue to make it hard for Princeton residents to commute we will soon find that commuters no longer choose to reside in Princeton. Without easy train access, we could also find that as congestion increases in central New Jersey our access to various economic and cultural benefits of the New York corridor will be reduced.
   What we need is a parking structure located at the existing Dinky station. Right now there are approximately 195 parking spaces in the Wawa parking lot, of which about 65 percent are reserved for Princeton University commuter parking. Only 24 percent of the spaces are available to the general public.
   If this parking area was to be tripled with a parking structure this would give the community almost 400 more parking spaces right next to the station. The garage could be further enhanced by an “easy pass” system and if the Wawa building could be demolished, maybe a new Wawa could be inserted into the garage.
   This would give us a larger site for structured parking. With ample landscaping, a design could be developed to reduce its mass and respond to the stone construction of the Dinky station. And with some adjustments to the university’s proposed Arts and Transit District Master Plan it could provide parking in its off-hours for McCarter Theatre and the university’s new performing arts center, or even be located under the new center.
   The existing, currently full, university parking garage (Lot 7 garage), which has been proposed by the university for Dinky parking if the station were to be relocated, could continue its existing usage by the university. This new parking garage could be jointly financed by revenue bonds issued by a consortium of the beneficiaries, Princeton Borough, Princeton Township, Princeton University and New Jersey Transit.
   Once the parking problem for the Dinky has been solved, the idea of developing a newer, quieter rail connection to the Mainline would have a lot of merit. With the new parking garage paying for itself, the Dinky could be providing a significant new revenue stream to NJ Transit. This could eventually help finance a higher tech rail system that would draw more passengers and enhance the town’s future.
   With the Princeton Regional Planning Board expected to take up the university’s proposals this fall, it is vital that we all communicate our concerns to our elected officials and the Regional Planning Board. In spite of suggestions to the contrary, nothing has been decided — yet.
Kip Cherry
Princeton