HPC approves Princeton Nursery School’s exterior repairs and window replacements

The Historic Preservation Commission unanimously approved a preservation plan for Princeton Nursery School that authorizes resurfacing the building’s yellow stucco, replacing rotted trim and sills, and permitting replacement of the north-facing windows to restore the building and improve durability.

The commission’s approval came after the school’s leadership described deferred maintenance, funding sources that enabled the work and how repairs would protect the building’s long-term use as a neighborhood preschool and community asset.

Why it matters: Commissioners and the applicant said the project will address water infiltration and structural risk, protect interior classroom spaces, and reduce future maintenance burdens through material choices intended to be longer lasting.

Princeton Nursery School leadership told the commission the project is funded in part by federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money, commitments from Princeton University and a private grant from the Princeton Area Community Foundation. Applicant representative Kemi Lola Leanna Jahnke (recorded as Kemi Lola) described roughly $430,000 in funds committed to exterior and related projects and said the immediate work to start soon includes roof, emergency exits and exterior carpentry already completed or near completion.

Contractor and neighbor Joseph Weiss summarized the technical proposals: repair the cement stucco substrate, apply a nylon mesh and an acrylic finish coat (product proposed as a Sahara finish from CICA), replace failing soffit, fascia and rakes with a long-life engineered wood product (identified as Windsor 1), and custom-mill polyash moldings to match existing profiles. Weiss said the north (street-facing) elevation includes about 66 windows overall and that roughly half of the north-facing windows “absolutely have to be replaced” because the existing wood is too degraded for reliable restoration.

Commissioners asked about scope and cost: several members supported allowing replacement of all north-facing windows in the interest of long-term preservation and cost efficiency because scaffolding and access are already required for the stucco work. Commissioner Roger (last name on file) said replacing the north façade windows would make practical sense; others — Bridal, Charlotte and David — agreed.

Formal action: A commissioner moved to approve the preservation plan, including replacement of all north-facing windows. The motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote recorded as: Mr. Shatkin — yes; Miss Howard — yes; Mr. Shore — yes; Miss Friedman — yes; Chairperson Capizzoli — yes. The commission asked the applicant to update final drawings to ensure replacement trim profiles match existing details for final staff sign-off.

Clarifying details and limits: The commission noted the property lies in a Type 2 historic district so work visible from the public right-of-way and changes to painted or primed surfaces require HPC review. The applicant said final planting and some interior funding sequences remain contingent on reimbursement timing for federal funds and potential additional university support. Applicant said material choices (Windsor 1 engineered trim, polyash moldings, acrylic stucco overlay) were selected to maximize lifespan and reduce future maintenance cycles.

Next steps: The commission approved the plan subject to submission of final drawings and trim profiles to staff for administrative sign-off and requested the applicant coordinate final schedule and submittals with HPC staff before construction starts.