The Walkability Myth

Proponents of the Stockton Street project, citing abstract “smart growth” developers’ principles, contend that the impact will be minimal, especially with regard to traffic, as the site is within “walkable” reach of downtown Princeton. Even in the unlikely event that only a few of the new residents will need to drive to and from work, the “walkable” argument neglects that Princeton hasn’t been “walkable” for basic necessities since Davidson’s supermarket and Urkin’s Hardware store closed in 1997 and 2002, respectively.

 

It’s walkable for bubble tea and overpriced handbags, sure, but to obtain most basic necessities – from groceries to physicians to hardware and household supplies – requires a car.

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Use of public transportation, another pride of the “smart growth” advocates, won’t alleviate the problem, unless we can expect residents to take a bus to haul their groceries from McCaffrey’s or ShopRite.