I enjoyed reading the differing points of view regarding the Trenton train station and am glad you printed both (U.S. 1, October 8 and 15).
I bought into the notion of Trenton’s renewal right after getting my real estate license about nine years ago. I purchased one of those grand homes in the Arena district (as well as the restaurant district, transportation district and historic district/Chambersburg). In the time I have owned it my home has been broken into, the adjoining home raided, my neighbor mugged, my son robbed, and numerous vehicles broken into.
I have witnessed and reported street fights and arsonists. All this within three blocks of the train station. Like many I love the architecture, which is why I have kept the place and invested time and money there.
Crime certainly is a problem that must be dealt with, but not merely the most serious; at all levels. Who knows: the vehicle blocking traffic in a no stopping zone may just be operated by a wanted felon. The person who broke into my home and left a trail of blood (thankfully they didn’t sue me for getting cut on the window they smashed to break in) could be responsible for a lot more.
It would be better if all crime was reported in Trenton as it is in the suburbs. Trenton can come back but it needs to take off the rose-colored glasses and deal with the problems it has. And, yes, all city employees should reside there as a condition of employment. If it is too dangerous for the police chief how can we expect others to live there?
My last suggestion would be to push for reinstatement of the tax incentives and grants to home owners and small business owners (less for the big businesses) for energy savings measures. The solar grants were so popular that they ran out of money. I am certain many people would go green if it were not so expensive. I have started harvesting rain water at my Princeton home and hope to add solar heat and generation there.
I have a dream of a green living roof on my Trenton property that reduces storm water runoff and extends the life of my roof. There is so much that can be done at many levels of expense. The need is for incentive and education.
Kenneth Verbeyst
Broker-Associate, Prudential NJ Properties, Nassau Street
Editor’s note: The writer is the former operator of Verbeyst French Dry Cleaners, located for many years on Tulane Street in Princeton.
U.S. 1’s main article on the development planned in the vicinity of the newly renovated Trenton train station appeared on October 8. Reactions were printed on October 15. Both issues are available by following the archives link at www.princetoninfo.com.
