By Greg Forester, Staff Writer
PLAINSBORO — A focus on good planning and maintaining a high quality of life in Plainsboro was rewarded earlier this month, say township officials, pointing to the township gaining the 52nd spot on Fortune Small Business Magazine’s “Top 100 Places to Live and Launch a Small Business” list, appearing in the April issue.
”We believe this kind of confirmed what we’ve always believed about Plainsboro, that it is a great place to live and start a business,” said Mayor Peter Cantu. “We’re very happy about it.”
Reasons cited for Plainsboro’s placement on the list included a superior school district and mixed-use development at the Plainsboro Village Center. Also mentioned was the township’s proximity to both Princeton’s cultural and dining attractions and transportation centers, providing an easy trip to New York.
The magazine also researched Plainsboro though both a statistical and qualitative analysis, according to township officials, who were informed that Fortune reporters actually went out and interviewed the owners of businesses in the township.
Township Administrator Robert Sheehan said that other policies — such as the preservation of open space and building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure — contribute to the quality of life and the community in the township.
”All of those things are part and parcel of good community planning, and being faithful to the overall plan,” said Mr. Sheehan. “Good planning also creates opportunities for the private sector.”
A revival of the Princeton Forrestal Village shopping center and the success of eateries there — like Salt Creek Grille and Tre Piani — were also likely part of the decision by Fortune to put Plainsboro Township on the list, according to Mayor Cantu.
”There is a conscious effort to use restaurants as a magnet for that growth,” he said.
One upcoming project that should add to the quality of life in Plainsboro is the new Plainsboro Public Library planned for a site in the Plainsboro Village Center, Mr. Sheehan said.
Construction of the library began this past winter, and the new building is slated for completion sometime in early 2009.
The new facility will offer significantly more space than the current, more crowded library, along with research and community spaces.
