Rouse Co. to develop shopping mall across from Quaker Bridge
A big-name developer, whose projects have included New York's South Street Seaport and Baltimore's Inner Harbor, has begun discussions to build a high-end shopping mall across the street from Quaker Bridge Mall, officials involved with the project said.The Rouse Co. in partnership with the Wyeth corporation has met with nearby West Windsor Township concerning a 645-acre property along Route 1 they plan to develop.The land, which is more than six times the size of Quaker Bridge, could also include office space, research facilities and housing in addition to the shopping complex.The plan is still very much in its early stages."This is really us trying to do our homework and discover the community's concerns," said Warren Wilson, Rouse's director of new business.He estimated the project would take 10 years at the earliest to be completed.But the stakes are much higher than whether University students will have a new place to shop.Rouse's proposal comes as several other groups, including the University, are branching out into West Windsor, which is south of Princeton on the other side of Lake Carnegie.Tyco corporation plans to move into 100,000 square feet of office space in the township, and the University is brokering a purchase of a 90-acre parcel owned by the Sarnoff Corp.However, Rouse's proposal would not affect the University's plans, said Pam Hersh, community and state affairs director.Though President Tilghman said last year that the University would not develop the land during her tenure, these projects also come as Central Jersey officials are figuring out how to manage traffic congestion and environmental protection.And critics have already noted the competition it presents for Princeton Borough, whose business owners are struggling with a drop in sales.A Wyeth spokeswoman said, however, that Rouse was hired because of their commitment to seeking community input.Rouse held two community sessions in December that attracted about 300 people, Wilson said.




