Bob Hillier of Hillier Architects has history in West Windsor. That is one of many things made clear by the third public presentation of planning firm finalists in West Windsor. On Wednesday, September 27, Hillier greeted friends the crowd, and shook hands with people he’s known for years. His familiarity with the people of the township was evident even before he began his presentation saying. “I see a lot of old, friendly faces from way back. My name is Bob Hillier. Please, call me Bob.”
Hillier’s presentation, like the two that preceded it, included a presentation projected onto a screen at the front of the town hall meeting room. While the other two opened with sketches of their vision of the future West Windsor, Hillier’s first frame was a photograph of a tree: a clear sign that he was communicating a connection with the township’s past.
He compared the planning process to building a house, stressing that his company, based at 500 Alexander Park, has roots in building places for people to live. More specifically, places for people to live in this township. His company has been based in West Windsor for the past 35 years, and he relayed a story from when he moved to the township.
“Nobody knew we were West Windsor then, so a number of businesses chipped in to buy a sign to put on Route 1. I gave my $500, and we all got together and put up a sign that said, ‘Welcome to West Windsor. Ready for Development,’” said Hillier. “Thirty-five years later, it’s here.”
Hillier said his company will take nine months to gather information, conduct public meetings, and draft a plan for the future of the township. Once building begins, said Hillier, “depending on the economy, the plan we create, and the markets involved, we should be able to see this done in five to six years.”
That is nearly half the time the other two firms imagined that the work would be completed. Neither of the other two companies estimated the total cost of the project for the township and its residents, but Hillier speculated it would cost $150 to $200 million.
Hillier said he has a personal interest in having the project lower the tax rate for its stakeholders. He wants the development to be “tax neutral or tax-positive.”
Hillier pointed out problems with the vision plan commissioned and paid for by the state, which was completed in 2004 by Eric C.Y. Fang, an architect now working for Street-Works, one of the other three companies to give a public presentation. Michael Graves & Associates, a Princeton company, is the other. Said Hillier: “What you’ll get with us is that we’re here. We can’t run away to another city if it doesn’t work.”
Like the other two companies, Hillier’s proposal emphasized sustainability. He stressed the importance of environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and cultural and social sustainability. He said he wants to make West Windsor a “special place to live, a special place to work, and shop, and a special place to be.”
His goal is to provide West Windsor with a “photo op.” He said the town needs a place where residents can take outsiders to show them that this is where they live. He said the township has no center, no single identifying feature. “That is what we want to create.”
Hillier said his previously unspoken goal is to keep the area in the 350-acre redevelopment zone 50 percent open space. He imagines a plaza next to the train station reminiscent of Rockefeller Center in New York, Faneuil Hall in Boston, and Palmer Square in Princeton. He said, “I don’t want to repeat Palmer Square.”
His vision includes building housing for approximately 2,”500 residents, and creating a downtown area that eliminates the need for its residents to regularly use a car. He imagines creating a town center that is, “A place to be proud of. A place to hang out, and have a good time. A place to take your out-of town visitors to show them, This is where I live.”
He imagines that the first step in the process will be to fix the parking situation. The township currently has over 3,500 parking spots spread over 27 acres, and he imagines condensing them to four parking structures situated close to the train station. He said they should be a short walk away from the platforms. The walk, he said, should take commuters past new shops and retail outlets, a ploy meant to result in economically-stimulating sidewalk traffic which will likely lure new businesses to the redeveloped area.
His presentation included a plan for the development process as well. He recommended that the township approve multiple building projects at once, so the companies constructing them are spurred to quick, quality work by their competition.
Hillier also said that a primary goal is to get the streets to work, to avoid the traffic back-ups that currently ensnare the roads around the train station. “We should divert the cars so we can avoid traffic through Berrien City.”
He spoke of his roots growing up in Cranbury and of his time as a Princeton University student. He said, “What’s gone from America is Main Street. It’s been replaced by the mall.”
Hillier designed and built notable local sites like the Princeton Library and the science center at the Peddie School. It has also worked in Manhattan and internationally, in Korea, China, and Canada. In contrast with the other two companies which made public presentations, Hillier’s team of specialists is also local. As he introduced his companions, he noted how long they’d worked with him (Most between 7 and 20 years) and how close their offices are to his (Most in the same building.)
“I’m at the point in my career where I only want to do projects that are special to me,” said Hillier. “The company can run itself. I’ll be here. We’ll be at every one of these public work sessions. I’m emotionally invested in this place.”
