The City of Trenton recently announced a slate of demolition to Sanford St., bringing much-needed restoration and remediation to the block. With over 20 dilapidated properties currently occupying the area, a clean slate is exactly what the neighborhood needs for a fresh start. Funding for this project is provided by the Neighborhood Redevelopment and Revitalization Pilot Program (NRRPP), a state program designed to encourage development and investment of threatened but viable neighborhoods.
The NRRPP reimbursement program will be utilized to subsidize the the cost of the demolition to the City of Trenton. The program has specifically identified Sanford St. as a choice neighborhood in need of revitalization. Ultimately, the program hopes that through this investment, it can be used as a catalyst for economic and residential quality of life surrounding the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. region. Upon demolition of the property, the city hopes to replace them with newer, modern spaces, many of which have been identified in the Trenton 250’s Master Plan. By addressing quality of life issues in this neighborhood and throughout the city, the hope is that these efforts will attract families to Trenton and stimulate the local economy.
“We are extremely appreciative of state funding that has made this revitalization effort possible” stated Mayor Reed Gusciora. “This block has been notorious for unproductive activities; however, with the demolition of 20 properties along the street, we’ll pave the way for economic development on this street. It’s exciting to consider what a redeveloper might be able to do with so much space on a residential block and we look forward to hearing any such proposals.”
The upcoming demolition is the result of documented and identified imminent hazards that have been identified along Sanford Street. The block has been reported by residents, elected officials, and public/uniformed city personnel as hazardous to the safety and well-being of community residents. While the block was originally slated for structural repairs, as the properties sat vacant and sparsely maintained over the years, the structures are now unfortunately beyond repair. Much of the damage to the existing structures is due to long-standing exposure to water and the elements, unaddressed compromised structures, and fire damage, all of which have rendered the property suitable for demolition.
“We hope that with this demolition project, the lives of many Trentonians can be touched and impacted in a positive way. This project is yet another example of blight being turned into opportunity in the Capital City, with better living conditions and a city truly worth being called a home”, said Council President Teska Frisby.
