October 13, 2015
Camden officials recently learned that the city was not among the neighborhoods from across the country chosen to receive redevelopment grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), NJ.com reports.
In August, officials detailed plans of how the $30 million in "Choice Neighborhoods" federal grants they had applied for could fund improvements to the city's Mount Ephraim South neighborhood.
At the August media tour of the distressed neighborhood, city officials detailed plans for a $350,000 face-lift of Whitman Park, housing unit rehabilitation work, PATCO-related improvements and more. With the funding, the city also hoped to erect two new K-8 schools, a new high school and conduct rehabilitation work at the Henry L. Bonsall School.
"The senator is clearly disappointed with HUD's decision," U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez's office said in a statement. "He believes strongly that Camden submitted a competitive application and a compelling case for federal funding through the Choice Neighborhoods program. It's clear that (Camden) Mayor (Dana) Redd and the residents of Camden are not going to give up on their vision to turn their city around, and the senator stands ready to assist them in that effort."
The following cities will share in the HUD funding: Atlanta, Georgia; Kansas City, Missouri; Memphis, Tennessee; Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Sacramento, California.
Camden plans to re-apply next year.
Read more from NJ.com here.
