South Jersey

There's Something About South Jersey

Alternatives for the City of Camden

Revival of Camden's historic role as the business and shopping center for South Jersey seems impossible.


State Aquarium	The Tweeter Center	Campbell's Field

But with the aquarium, music center and the Riversharks playing in the new ball park, Camden is blossoming as a riverfront entertainment center.
With Rutgers University, Cooper and Lady of Lourdes hospitals, and government offices, it serves as a major educational, medical and administrative center.
It is at the center of public transportation in the region, with rail lines to Lindenwold, Philadelphia, Trenton (soon) and Atlantic City.
But how much does all this help the neighborhoods and the people who live in the city?
Is it likely that any limits placed on "sprawl" will pressure developers to build in Camden and people to move back into the city?


Faith-based organizations are replacing failed high-rise public housing with lower density units.	Subsidized low income housing for people selected by an activist group.	The North Camden Plan is closer to the "new town" ideals of the planners than anything in the suburbs. Click here for a larger view.

Should we focus on rebuilding each Camden neighborhood, building "New Towns" on the ruins of the failed city? Is it fair to use taxpayer's money to supply housing to people favored by activist groups?
Or should we just clear out the abandoned housing and help to recondition the housing that remains, as they are doing in Syracuse, N.Y?

The new light rail line to Trenton will go up Camden's Fourth Street between the Federal Court House and Rutgers

University. Residents of the street are concerned about vibration, noise and congestion, but proponents expect it to help revitalize Camden's downtown.

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