Numerous firms are already showing interest in being hired as a master planner for West Windsor’s redevelopment project.##M:[more]##
According to Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh, representatives from 38 different firms attended a pre-bid conference on Monday, April 24, to discuss the township’s request for qualifications and proposal (RFP) for a master planner.
Hiring the master planner is the first step in West Windsor’s plans to redevelop a 350-acre area surrounding the Princeton Junction train station. The master planner will work with Hsueh, township council, and the planning board to draft a redevelopment plan.
According to Business Administrator Chris Marion, the meeting was billed as an “information session for interested planning firms.” The meeting featured a panel of presenters including Township Engineer Jim Parvesse, Land Use Manager Sam Surtees, Township Attorney Michael Herbert, Township Planner John Madden, and representatives from New Jersey Transit. Each spoke regarding different aspects of the project.
Also in attendance was Councilwoman Heidi Kleinman. The mayor was also on hand to answer questions and talk about the township’s philosophy for the project.
“We had a full house,” says Hsueh of the meeting. “Many of those who attended were from top consulting firms in this area. I think we’re going to have a lot of interest in this, and a lot of proposals coming in.”
Hsueh says that one topic during the meeting was the ordinance recently passed by the township barring anyone who makes political contributions to township politicians or Mercer County political parties from being hired to work on the redevelopment project.
“We want to make this completely non-political,” Hsueh says. “I joked with them that they don’t have to bother having the governor or senators call me (on their behalf), or make any contributions to my campaign fund.”
Hsueh says that the township council has already agreed to set aside $175,”000 in this year’s municipal budget for the creation of the plan, and the township has also received commitment from the state Department of Community affairs for a $55,”000 grant.
Meanwhile, the membership of a committee that will conduct the search for the master planner and make a recommendation to the council is almost complete.
At its meeting on April 19, the West Windsor Planning Board selected Chairman Marvin Gardner and board member Steve Jany to serve on the committee. Also on the search committee are Hsueh, Councilwoman Heidi Kleinman, township engineer James Parvesse, and zoning and planning officer Samuel Surtees.
Councilwoman Kristin Appelget was also to serve on the group, but council must choose a new representative as a result of Appelget’s resignation from council. Earlier this month, Appelget announced she was leaving council effective May 8 as a result of taking a job at Princeton University as director of community and regional affairs.
The committee will be charged with sifting through responses to the RFP and will interview them in closed session. The group will then identify finalists who will give a presentation at a public joint meeting of the council and planning board. The search committee will then deliberate over the finalists and make a recommendation to the township council.
The township has set May 30 as the deadline for submissions of the RFP.
