Target Public Housing Project:
Donnelly Homes Target Neighborhood: North Trenton – Battle Monument Choice Neighborhoods Grant Amount: $1,300,000
Key Partners:
Wallace Roberts and Todd, Smith Family Foundation, Mercer County Community College, Mercer County Workforce Development Board, Mercer County Office of Training & Employment Service, Capital Health, Isles, Inc., Capital Area YMCA, Trenton Health Team, Grace Cathedral Fellowship Ministries, NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, NJ State Capital Partnership, The College of New Jersey.
Project Summary:
Through its layout and design, the North Trenton – Battle Monument neighborhood commemorates the 1776 Battle of Trenton – a tide-turning event in the Revolutionary War led by General George Washington. Over the centuries that followed, this neighborhood housed generations of new and established Americans who fueled the manufacturing industries of Trenton. While characterized today as distressed from disinvestment, vacancy, and blight, the area contains the ingredients of a thriving neighborhood. Its many assets include compact walkable blocks, functional commercial corridors, easy access to jobs, and an anchor institution, in addition to parks, schools and churches.
The North Trenton – Battle Monument neighborhood is also well positioned to benefit from the nearby Downtown Trenton’s renaissance. New investments in the Capital City’s central business district are likely to spill over onto this historic, largely residential neighborhood. Additionally, Trenton Housing Authority (THA) and the City of Trenton are willing and ready to create an actionable plan to redevelop the distressed target housing development, Donnelly Homes. THA intends to draw from their successful experience of revitalizing dilapidated housing through the HOPE VI program, while the City seeks to seamlessly incorporate Donnelly Homes into their 20-year master plan for Trenton’s growth and development.
The $1,300,000 Choice Neighborhoods Planning and Action Grant will bring together Trenton’s vast network of partners to co-develop a shared transformation plan that is rooted in the aspirations, culture, and history of the community. The process will be guided by planning and design firm, Wallace Roberts and Todd; informed by Donnelly Homes residents and community leaders; and strongly supported by committed local partners. Robust community engagement efforts will involve resident representation on steering committees and working groups, the launch of a resident leadership series, and the creation of resident ambassadors, among other initiatives. Establishing a multi-dimensional planning process – that taps into local expertise through steering and action committees, ambassadorships, task forces, and community events – will foster a comprehensive transformation plan that is transparent, innovative, and indicative of the rich history of the North Trenton – Battle Monument neighborhood.
