The University's proposed Arts and Transit Neighborhood took a major step forward on December 6 when Princeton Borough Council voted to grant final zoning approval for the portion of the project that would fall within its borders. The Princeton Township Committee approved zoning for its area on November 14.

The University expects to submit a site plan to the Princeton Regional Planning Board early in 2012. If the site plan is approved, construction could begin soon afterward.

The proposed Arts and Transit Neighborhood on the western edge of Princeton's campus would form a public space that is a nexus of both campus and community life. New public plazas and improved traffic circulation would complement new facilities to support the arts and a new New Jersey Transit Dinky station. These new activities in the area will build upon and strengthen the longstanding presence of two anchors of the Princeton community: McCarter and Berlind theaters and the Dinky.

The neighborhood would be the home of the Lewis Center for the Arts with the requisite new teaching, rehearsal, performance and administrative spaces. Future phases could include an experimental media studio and a performance hall. Combined with other facilities on the University campus and in the community, the neighborhood would become a vibrant cultural destination for the region.

"Exploration in the Arts" is one of the priorities of the Aspire campaign.

More information about the project is available on the Arts and Transit Neighborhood website.

December 2011