PRINCETON, NJ — To the dismay of the Princeton Council, residents, and businesses, Chambers Street will remain a one-way street through mid-May due to construction delays at the Graduate Hotel.
The decision followed a vote at the Feb. 26 Council meeting to approve The Graduate Hotel’s request to maintain their work zone on Chambers Street until the hotel is open on May 16.
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“We are at a point right now because of certain delays we have experienced especially on the front end of the Nassau building due to structural issues. We were actually supposed to be open this month and obviously, we are not there yet,” said Pablo David with The Graduate Hotel at the meeting. “We are here requesting basically a two-and-a-half-month extension to get us through.”
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David explained that the hotel is currently in the finishing stage where they need to fill the hotel with everything from ironing boards to desks and beds.
“We have looked at numerous, numerous options to try and avoid this. We know that it has been an inconvenience to many of the residents, people who live, work and play in the downtown area,” said David. “This is the quickest most efficient way to get us off the street and the hotel opened.”
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While all of the Councilmembers expressed their excitement for the hotel to open, they also shared their concerns and frustration with this request.
“We should have had this discussion months ago. As soon as you guys hit these roadblocks with the structural problems in the front building,” said Mayor Mark Freda.
“This is the second time you have come to us with a choice and it’s not really a choice,” said Councilmember Eve Niedergang, who referred to the hotel’s previous request in March 2022 to make Chambers Street a one-way street. Read More: Princeton Chamber Street To Be One-Way For Graduate Hotel Construction
“I’m frustrated on behalf of the people who this is impacting. I have no idea if this is appropriate, practical, or allowed,” said Niedergang.
Councilmember Leticia Fraga expressed that the construction and random closures have created a “dangerous situation” where cars will be lined up to turn onto the street only to find it closed and have to back up.
“I think that is a dangerous situation but not only dangerous, inconsiderate when that happens. Inconsiderate to the residents who are trying to get through,” said Frega. “It’s very dangerous and I have been very close to getting into a fender bender.”
Kristen Applegate, who works at Princeton University and is a resident in town, who agreed with Frega.
“I too have had the same situations walking and in my car where I have felt where I was at risk of being run over,” said Applegate.
David acknowledged it is a public safety issue and that it is something that needs to be tightened.
Council Vice President Mia Sacks said she was more in favor of granting the extension since the community has already adjusted to the closures for this long.
“It might be more disruptive to have unpredictable closures,” said Sacks. “I thought that might generate more frustration and anger.”
Councilmember Leighton Newlin said that he thought The Graduate’s request was reasonable.
“I don’t want it to open in October,” said Newlin. “Finish it and let’s open it up. It may be a little frustrating but the most important thing is to get it open. I would sign up for 70 more days grinning and bearing it.”
In the end, the council agreed to the extension with Freda noting that May 16 is the hotel’s opening date and the road reopens on May 17.
“I think we can stick it out for a few more months. A hotel in a town brings in a tremendous amount of tax revenue,” said Sacks.
David said they will make May 16 work.
“May 16 is really our date as realistic as humanly possible while being conservative,” said David.
“We might need you to sign in blood on the dotted line right here while you’re here,” joked Sacks.
“If that’s what it takes,” laughed David.
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