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Camden, NJ Shepherd Alliance Internship 2009. Rob George, Kate Donnelly, and Charlie Gentles. Outline. Introduction to Camden Rob’s work at GCP Kate’s Work at CFDA Extra-curricular activities. Just across the Delaware…. Why Economic Revitalization. Prime Location Industrial Roots
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Camden, NJShepherd Alliance Internship 2009 Rob George, Kate Donnelly, and Charlie Gentles
Outline Introduction to Camden Rob’s work at GCP Kate’s Work at CFDA Extra-curricular activities
Why Economic Revitalization • Prime Location • Industrial Roots • Disinvestment and Decline • Highway Construction • Racial Tensions • Population Decline
Camden Today • “Most Dangerous City in America” • 35.5% Poverty (2000) • 11.6% Home Vacancy • Diverse: • 53% African American • 39% Latin American
Problems • Small Tax-Base • Negative Perception • Reliant on State/National government • Lack of basic retail needs • Failing Education System
About GCP • Brings together leaders of the private, public and non-profit sectors • Promotes the revitalization of Camden through joint public/private ventures • Anchor-Based Revitalization • Projects: • Camden Special Services District: Clean and Safe • Kroc Center • Broadway Main Street
My Role at GCP • Policy Recommendation: Stabilize and improve neighborhoods surrounding Camden’s anchor institutions • Problem = Disinvestment • Diminishes the quality of the environment surrounding the anchors • Quality of life • Outward appearance • Hinders the abilities of the anchors to recruit and retain employees
Collaborative Anchor-Based Employer Assisted Housing Program • Research National Best Practices • Designed Housing Survey • Policy Proposal: • appropriate anchor-base incentive • municipal participation • lender discounts • additional funding sources • housing counseling • appropriate geographic restrictions • data collection and measurement
Community Impact • Increase Tax-base • Entice stable homeowners/neighbors • Fix 11.6% Vacancy
Cooper’s Ferry Development Association • Private, non-profit corporation • 1984 • MISSION: to coherently plan and implement high-quality urban redevelopment projects in order to help replenish Camden's depleted tax base and to create a significant number of jobs for city residents. • CFDA also works to improve Camden's environment as a place in which to live, to work, to visit and to invest.
Main Project Involvement • Cooper Plaza Parking Report and Neighborhood Analysis • Grant applications • Camden GreenWay and Rails to Trails • Cramer Hill Park Plan • Camden Home Improvement Project (CHIP)
Extra-curricular • Judge Davis – COO of Camden • Msgr. Doyle – the Poet of Poverty • Habitat for Humanity and St. Josephs Carpenter Society • Anthony Mazzarelli’s Radio Show