As the structure continues on campus, the night paintings have been placed in the new Frist Health Center. Although Princeton Town ordinance limits construction hours between 7 a. m. and 7 p. m. m. and 6 p. m. m. , the university is exempt. Julia Zhou ’24, a resident of Scully Hall, has detected and reported the night shift to public protection (PSAFE) twice since the start of spring break, and told the Daily Princetonian that the noise and light late in the morning the afternoon are disturbing.
In an interview with the “Prince,” Zhou explained that he heard and saw paintings of the structure until 1 a. m. , adding a “sustained beep” and other people dressed in high-visibility clothing running with cranes at the structure’s site. It was difficult to examine her in her room because of the noise of the paintings and because running at night meant that for her “it’s hard to start sleeping. “
The City of Princeton ordinance states that structural paintings cannot be done on Sundays or after 6 p. m. m. o before 7 a. m. , every day of the week. On Saturdays, painting may not begin before 8 a. m. m. Outside of these hours, paintings can only take position “in case of compelling necessity in the interest of public health and safety”.
Outdoor work during general business hours also requires “prior obtaining of a permit . . . through the municipal engineer or building officer” pursuant to Section 21-2(i) of the City of Princeton Ordinance.
According to university spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill, overnight painting at the March 19 site was deemed mandatory because it “obstructed a hallway” and therefore posed unsafe situations for general staff operating hours. A shift was scheduled from 3 p. m. to 11 p. m. on Tuesday, March 19, however “the team ran into a challenge and was scheduled to arrive at 11 p. m. I was late. “
Morrill added that “it is not mandatory to obtain a permit for works that are placed on campus,” but that “the University’s practice is to involve the city engineer when it affects issues such as noise at night or delay at night. “are anticipated. “
The site of the Frist Health Center structure is at the intersection of Guyot Lane and Goheen Walk, near the dormitories of Butler College. Frist Health Center is set to upgrade McCosh Health Center as the site for on-campus fitness services.
While students were not notified about the night work, Morrill explained that “they have been informed through a variety of means, adding stickers on the mirrors of all public restrooms on campus, that they can touch the Facilities Services Center if they have any consideration about the work. “
In addition, Section 2. 2. 1 of Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities states that “dormitory citizens involved in excessive noise feel free, at any time, to call public protection officials for assistance. “
Zhou told the “Prince” that he first contacted PSAFE on Tuesday, March 12, during spring break, and then contacted them again on Monday, March 18, due to the disruption caused by the noise.
He explained that the structure’s staff “finally left around 2 a. m. and then resumed at the same time in the morning” on March 19. On March 12, the site was cleared prior to the arrival of the PSAFE.
Morrill wrote that “the painting was scheduled for spring break. Due to adverse weather conditions, the task was extended until the following week. The picture is now complete, according to Morrill.
Construction of the Frist Health Center is expected to be completed in 2025. While the use of the existing McCosh Health Center has yet to be announced, students have proposed it as a graduate student center and a pub on campus.
Other scholars expressed frustration with the current campus structure, suggesting that it “widens the existing chasm” between other campus spaces and creates discontent and frustration regarding campus traffic.
Victoria Davies is editor of The Prince.
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