In November 2006, the West Windsor Township Council hired Hillier Architecture to guide redevelopment planning for the area surrounding the Princeton Junction station on the Amtrak/NJ TRANSIT Northeast Corridor rail line. This 350-acre area is marked by large surface commuter parking lots surrounded by isolated clusters of offices and residential neighborhoods. Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh endorsed Hillier, which is based in nearby Princeton, as the best choice for the project, citing the firm’s accessibility, flexibility, cost and scope of services, familiarity with the site, commitment to public involvement, and knowledge of transit-oriented development.
Recently, 400 residents turned out for the first of three public workshops where participants ranged from high school students to senior citizens. After a presentation by Robert Hillier, founder and principal of the firm, teams began working up wish lists of the characteristics and priorities they want in the new development. Two more public workshops have been scheduled for spring 2007.