CAMDEN FIRST

ChiefChief OperatingOperating Officer’sOfficer’s 20042004 BIANNUALBIANNUAL REPORTREPORT > > VISIONTo transform: Camden into a city in which government CONTENT > is linked to its people by Message of the Chief Operating Officer 2

responsive service systems, Municipal Reform 4 DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS 8-17 state of the art technology Department of Administration 8 and accountable decision Department of Development 8 and Planning MISSION: making processes Inside Front Cover Department of Public Works 9 > To serve and build Camden’s Department of Finance 10 diverse community by effectively, Department of Code Enforcement 11 efficiently and equitably Department of Health 14 Blank and Human Services enhancing resident’s quality of Law Department 15 life, attracting private investment Police Department 16 and delivering services with a commitment to excellence The Fire Department 17 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 18-31 …Where We’ve Been Enhanced Health Care 20 Thriving Technology 21 Enhanced Transportation Network 21 Revitalized Housing 22 …And Where We’re Going Neighborhood Revitalization 24 Innovative Private Development 26 Health Care Expansion 26 Academic Expansion 27 Waterfront Development 30 City Council 32 Message from the Chief Operating Officer >

CAMDEN… IN TRANSITION TO A NEW BEGINNING

he City of Camden is in the midst of a Camden, to ensure effective governance and American and almost 39 percent of which are major economic transformation, one fiscal accountability. Under the Act, the State Hispanic. This public strategic partnership is Tthat will usher in a period of economic of New Jersey provided an infusion of $175 critical, not only to the implementation, but regeneration and revitalization that will not million in economic development investment. long-term sustainability of our management only improve the lives of our current citizens It not only paved the way for the City’s eco- and economic development initiatives. but of future generations to come. Once nomic recovery, but created a legislative Throughout this Report, you will find evi- home to 125 manufacturing firms in the late framework for economic revitalization. dence of change: municipal reforms that 19th century, Camden’s manufacturing-driven Notwithstanding the economic dislocation include a new management team and a economy, like many in the Northeast, waned. that Camden suffered as a community, we are defined blueprint for governance as well as Accompanied by population declines and not without assets; from Cooper Hospital and economic development initiatives driven by Melvin R. Primas, Jr. urban flight to the suburbs, the economic ero- Our Lady of Lourdes, to Rutgers University, the the Camden Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Chief Operating Officer sion of Camden’s economy had a devastating Aquarium and the Tweeter Center, among oth- and renewed interest in private investment City of Camden impact. ers, Camden has a set of assets upon which to and development. However, Camden is now in transition. With build and leverage for the future. The municipal reforms and economic devel- the enactment of the Municipal Rehabilitation Change, however, evolves over time. As we opment initiatives highlighted in this Report and Economic Recovery Act (MRERA) in create change in our infrastructure, and the are just the beginning. Much has been accom- 2002, we now have more coordinated deci- very economic landscape of our City, we will plished and these are but the first of many sion- making and greater financial resources do so with public participation and engage- steps in our journey to economic recovery. to chart our future growth. The Act sets forth a ment. Camden is now a city of almost 80,000 comprehensive redevelopment strategy that citizens; 55 percent of which are African- Melvin R. Primas, Jr. enables qualified municipalities, such as

Chief Operating Officer City of Camden <

Looking north to the Ben Franklin Bridge at Camden’s burgeoning waterfront.

> 2 3 < Municipal Reform >

Reorganization and Staffing Development of a Municipal City of Camden Organizational Chart Management Study he Municipal Under the Act, the Office of the COO was T Chief Operating Rehabilitation directed to reorganize municipal operations to Complementing the reorganization, the Office Officer create greater operating efficiencies. Staffed and Economic of the COO was also directed to develop and by 1260 employees, 54 percent of which are implement a Municipal Management Plan to Office of the Office of the Recovery Act Mayor City Council residents of Camden, the City now has nine enhance municipal service levels. The Plan, (MRERA) (9) major operating departments. With the Camden First 2010, provides a strategic blue- exception of the Police Department, each Planning Board Municipal Clerk prescribed a print that is designed to affect change in Department is led by an Acting Director: Camden’s organizational structure, financial series of •Administration management, human capital development, Zoning Board Elections mandates, •Development and Planning technology utilization, and delivery of public each of which • Public Works services. Included in the Plan are a series of •Finance recommendations that address the following: Municipal Court Vital Statistics ABC Control has been fully • Code Enforcement • Restructuring municipal government to implemented, • Health and Human Services achieve more efficient and cost-effective Public Defender service delivery to restructure •Law •Police • Utilization of more efficient and effective municipal technology Adm. Business •Fire Administrator operations. • Improving inter-departmental In addition to reorganizing the structure of performance across a number of areas, Asst. Business government, the Office of the COO also initi- including zoning, code enforcement, Administrator ated a retroactive compensation program for permitting and planning municipal employees. The program was pri- • Qualification levels and training of Personnel MIS Fleet Mgt. Purchasing marily designed to redress the inequity expe- departmental employees

rienced by employees who had not received Once fully implemented, this Plan will enable Health & Human Code Development Law Public Works Finance Fire Police increases in pay for three (3) years. Under the the City of Camden to achieve the vision and Services Enforcement & Planning program, employees received pay raises, mission adopted by City Council in 2003. retroactive for the three- year period. Risk Management

> 4 5 < Municipal Reform

Capacity Building Study Citizen Participation Camden City Government Under the Municipal Rehabilitation and One of the mandates prescribed by the Act Economic Recovery Act, the Walter Rand was the establishment of a 13- member Capacity Building Action Plan (Fishbone) Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers University Community Advisory Committee to ensure was directed to provide comprehensive train- citizen participation in the rehabilitation and ing as well as assist in hiring a non-partisan, recovery process. The Committee is designed City Government Communications Technology professional staff to execute governmental to serve as a conduit to disseminate informa- Processes functions. The Institute, through policy tion to their respective communities as well as A B C research, training and educational outreach, provide feedback to the Administration. The Internal (1) IT Strategy (2) External Decision IT / Org serves as a resource to elected officials, com- Committee, chaired by Mayor Gwendolyn A. w/ Public (2) Making (1) Assessment (1) External Budgeting (2) munity leaders and non-profit professionals Faison, has fulfilled its statutory requirement (Media, State) (3) throughout southern New Jersey. to meet twice, and will continue to meet Purchasing (3) IT Infrastructure (3) throughout 2005. IT Software (4) VISION Pursuant to the mandate, the Rand Institute Civil Service (4) Complaint Management To transform Process (5) assisted in hiring two additional City Council Another requirement of the legislation was the Camden into a city staff members. In addition, two retreats were creation of a Regional Impact Council. This in which conducted, the first of which occurred in Council’s role is to promote coordination government is November 2003 in Princeton, New Jersey, among communities within the region sur- MISSION PUBLIC SERVICE linked to its people by responsive during which Mayor Gwendolyn A. Faison, rounding Camden and to assist in the formu- Professional service systems, City Council and City Department Directors lation of long-range strategies to address Responsibilities (5) state-of-the art met and developed a unified Mission and regional issues. During a recent meeting of the To serve and build Camden’s diverse technology and Employee IT Training (4) Vision for the City of Camden. R.I.C. members were updated on Camden’s community by: Discipline (3) Professional Dev. / accountable Employee Training (3) Council decision making progress by Chief Operating Officer Melvin R. Effectively, efficiently, and equitably Positions (4) The Rand Institute exceeded its mandate and, enhancing residents’ quality of life; processes. Primas and heard remarks from Majority Personnel Policies (2) under the direction of the Chief Operating Attracting private investment; Unions (3) Leader Joseph J. Roberts and Department of Skill Audit (2) Officer, the City embarked on a collaborative Stimulating growth city wide; and Decision Decision Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Making (2) Making (1) Management State Relationship capacity building initiative. Under the initia- Levin. Delivering services with a Study (1) tive, six (6) committees were formed which, commitment to excellence. (Pos / Neg) (1) combined, are designed to enhance the deliv- Resources ery of public service systems and actualize the Accountability Training City’s Vision and Mission: Professional D E F (Funds, People) Accountability, Training, Technology, Communications, Processes and Resources

> 6 7 < Departmental Highlights >

Department of Department of Development Department of Public Works Administration and Planning In addition to The Department of Public Works is responsi- management The Department of Development and ble for administering a range of public envi- reforms, in an Planning is responsible for capital project ronmental services, including but not limited effort to planning and implementation, the sale of to trash collection, recycling, debris removal, street sweeping, pothole repair, and graffiti as optimize municipal property, the administration of the housing assistance program and the process- well as snow removal. Among its accomplish- operations, ing of zoning permit applications. ments were the following: increase • Replaced over 3000 water sewer lines • Established a 24-hour hotline for citizens efficiency to report unsafe conditions • Drilled ten (10) new drinking water wells serve the • Installed new energy saving traffic signals • Updated the zoning ordinance public better, at 12 intersections • Received the Smart Growth Award from • Removed snow and ice from over 200 and ultimately As the City’s administrative arm, the Depart- NJ Future miles of City-owned roadways enhance the ment is responsible for coordinating person- • Embarked upon an aggressive training quality of life nel, telecommunications, purchasing and program in which over 80 percent of staff for Camden’s fleet management policies city-wide. became CPR qualified citizens, a • Oversaw the completion of the Opera- • Recycled 650 tons of materials tional and Strategic Management Plan series of • Initiated negotiations to renew the City’s Departmental cable television franchise initiatives • Upgraded the network operating system were • Investigated the feasibility of implemented. wireless connectivity • Installed new microfilm technology to enhance the storage capacity of records • Updated the fuel management system to enhance accountability < <

Gwendolyn A. Faison, Mayor (center) and Drilling site for new drinking water wells Melvin R. Primas, COO (right) appear on the local cable television show "Camden on the Move" with host Rev. Tony Evans > 8 9 < Departmental Highlights

Department of Finance Department of Department of Code Enforcement The Department of Finance oversees revenue Code Enforcement REVENUE COLLECTION: FY 2004 hough the Among the Department’s accomplishments T collection, assists in the preparation of the were the following: The Department of Code Enforcement is a City has three City Budget, performs daily Treasury-related • Submitted the Municipal Audit on time newly created Department developed under SOURCE REVENUE (3) primary functions and acts as the lead agency in the and fully complete for the first time in the leadership of the Chief Operating Officer grant management process. Over the last ten 20 years Construction $532,835 revenue and the Mayor of Camden. In an effort to pre- (10) year period, revenue has grown 28.7 per- • Acquired equipment to print tax bills pare and position the City for new develop- License and Inspections 455,077 cent to $146.4 million. As a percentage of sources, state internally, thereby saving the City ment projects, management sought to create a Rent Control 117,923 total revenue, state aid peaked in 2001, at 56 $10,000 annually seamless, one-stop, agency to facilitate navi- funding has Rental Approvals 63,654 percent. More importantly, in FY 2004, gation through the regulatory process. The consistently • Reorganized to improve customer service though the City received $70.9 million in state in the revenue collection process Department is responsible for a broad array of Court Case Fines 43,025 accounted for aid, the highest amount in 10 years in functions, including: 1) issuing building cer- Weights and Measures 12,543 absolute dollar terms, it accounted for only tificates and construction permits; 2) approv- almost 50 FY 2004 Expenditures Animal Control 619 48.4 percent of total revenue, in large part due ing business licensing applications; 3) creat- percent of the to an increase in other revenue sources. Public Safety ing and enforcing the new Property TOTAL: $1,263,847 City’s revenue 42% Statutory Expenses Maintenance Code; 4) administering the rent 3% control program and 5) conducting annual 600,000 funding stream. FY 2004 Revenues inspections of all weighing and measuring 532,835.00 Employee devices involved in direct sales to the public. State Aid - 500,000 Benefits 455,077.00 Distressed Cities Other • Upgraded field instruments to enhance 6% Departments 19% State Aid - Energy State Aid - MRA 16% inspections 400,000 Receipts/other 5% Fed & State Grants 4% 11% • Implemented smoke detector giveaway Debt Service Property Taxes - Public Works 4% initiative 300,000 Current Reserve for 9% 8% Uncollected Taxes • Promoted the hiring of city residents as State Aid - Property Taxes - 7% Code Enforcement Officers, Complaint 200,000 CMPTRA Res for Uncollected Investigators and Inspectors 33% 6% 117,923.00 100,000 Property Taxes • Established a Noise Control Unit 63,654.00 Mics Revenues - - Delinquent 43,025.00 • Generated $1.26 million in recovered 12,543.00 Section G - Other Surplus 4% 619.00 17% Mics Revenues - 2% revenue 0 Section A - Local 4%

> 10 11 < Departmental Highlights

Department of Health and Human Services Law Department

The Department of Health and Human • Initiated the development of a Ten Year The Law Department provides a variety of Services (DH&HS) provides a variety of qual- Homelessness Plan, in conjunction with legal services to the City including but not ity-of-life related services and programs to community and faith-based organization, limited to, legal counseling, litigation of to more fully meet the needs of the Camden’s residents. The Department consists claims against the City with respect to homeless population of four (4) bureaus: Senior Services and employee and tax-related matters, preparation Emergency Assistance, Youth Services, • Expanded recreational activities by and review of resolutions and ordinances for coordinating over 40 events, including City Council, affirmative action compliance, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services. Summer Day Camp, Centerville Unity and the preparation of contracts and other During FY 2004, the Department served over Day, the Hepatitis-C Awareness Gospel Festival, and the Junteenth celebration legal documents. In addition, the Office of 110,000 constituents, a 37 percent increase Risk Management, a subdivision, advises the • Referred over 4600 constituents through from FY 2003. City regarding casualty risks that might its social service centers to 75 organizations, ranging from Verizon and adversely impact the City and result in the • Provided over 210,000 hours of the Red Cross, to the IRS and US institution of legal action. counseling services, structured recreation, CONSTITUENTS SERVED: FY 2004 Veteran’s Administration • Initiated a program, under the Municipal homework/tutorial assistance and cultural Prosecutor’s Division, to reduce wait BUREAU CONSTITUENTS enrichment activities to 1500 youth and times for citizen summons to Municipal families, under the Office of Youth Services Senior Services and Court • Distributed 1000 books, toys and food Emergency Assistance 38,739 • Expedited contracts for non-profit items to over 5000 youth and families housing organizations to accelerate Youth Services 13,786 • Entered into a collaborative partnership development with the Sylvan Learning Center to provide • Advised multiple potential investors with Recreation 37,932 after school programs respect to the City’s development criteria Neighborhood Services 21,106 • Initiated a series of outreach programs and fee structure with area celebrities to develop mentoring TOTAL: 111,463 programs for the city’s youth < <

Camden’s youth battle on the field, Flag bearers line up as they prepare to march oppose to the streets through structured in the annual San Juan Bautista Parade. recreation such as organized sports > 12 13 < Departmental Highlights

Police Department Fire Department

Under the auspices of the Camden County • Installed new crime analysis software to The second busiest fire department in the Prosecutor’s Office (CCPO), the Camden improve the Department’s deployment nation per capita, the Camden Fire Department Police Department is charged with adminis- strategies is among one of the oldest career staffed forces tering and ensuring the public safety and in the nation. • Enhanced the ability of the security of Camden’s citizens. Working col- • Broke ground on the State Street laboratively, the CCPO and Department initi- Communications Unit to provide better Firehouse, thereby improving fire ated a series of operational reforms including: service by developing an Operational protection services in North Camden Manual and upgrading the Intranet • Established a street level vice unit, the upon its completion Special Operations Tactical Narcotics • Formed a strategic partnership with the • Acquired five (5) new fire trucks to Team, to combat the narcotics trade Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) to enhance service levels provide a backup radio system • Reallocated investigative personnel to • Acquired two (2) special operations ensure the rapid response and Finally, community outreach and citizen trailers, thereby reducing the Department’s investigation of violent crimes reliance on outside equipment provided participation are integral to the Department’s by other agencies mission. To that end, the Department • Increased foot patrols, staffed by the New • Responded to 5,660 service calls, a 3 Jersey State Police and Department expanded it community outreach through the initiation of Youth Advisor Parental Support percent decrease from the previous year, personnel, throughout the City’s hot spots due in large part to the Department’s Sessions targeted towards juveniles at risk. In aggressive fire prevention and safety In addition, as evidenced by the following, the addition, the Department continues to outreach programs Department continued to enhance its operat- coordinate Neighborhood Watch Programs to ing efficiency: • Enhanced its response times to an average expand citizen participation in its community of 3:35 minutes, well below the national • Solved 83 percent of personal crimes, stabilization efforts. average of 5 minutes or less exceeding the national average rate • Expanded Special Operations training of 65 percent against potential catastrophic events • Increased the arrest rate for aggravated • Received more than $800,000 in Federal assaults to 50 percent as a result of the grants, the proceeds of which were used formation of a shooting response team to enhance fire safety education and • Processed almost 115,000 calls community outreach, the acquisition of life safety equipment for rapid intervention • Conducted comprehensive new training operations and the purchase of hazardous in the Traffic Bureau and material tools and equipment Communications Unit < <

Camden police officers talk Camden’s bravest enhance services strategy to keep city streets safe due to new equipment

> 14 15 < < Camden has developed an aggressive, proactive approach to economic development. In doing so, two agencies have been ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT instrumental in the plan- ning and implementation of Camden’s revitalization strategy: The Economic Recovery Board (ERB) and the Camden Redevelopment Agency (CRA). << < < < <

Water side view of future waterfront Formerly The State Aquarium, IMAX 4-D Theater Baldwin’s Run development showcasing aerial tram newly named and expanded Top: CamCare Gateway and exhibit Housing Development Adventure Aquarium Health Center > 16 17 < Economic Development

The Municipal Rehabilitation and Economic To date, the ERB has approved about $80 Recovery Act (MRERA) created the Economic million in project financing for 25 projects, Recovery Board (ERB). This 15 member Board which, when combined, are projected to is responsible for coordinating investment generate more than 425 new permanent full- activity among the appropriate state agencies time jobs. as well as the public and private sector. Under Collaborating with the ERB and leading the Act, the state allocated $175 million in Camden’s redevelopment strategy is the economic recovery and redevelopment funds Camden Redevelopment Agency (CRA). to the ERB. Revived in 2002 by the Chief Operating Officer, the Agency is the fist stop for private, ERB Funding Allocations public and institutional developers. Working closely with the City of Camden’s Department (Millions) of Development and Planning, the CRA’s core Fund Allocation areas of focus are: • Housing production and preservation Residential neighborhood • Commercial corridor revitalization improvement 35.0 • Downtown development Demolition and • Industrial and institutional development redevelopment 43.0 • Infrastructure installation and improvements Downtown revitalization and recovery 45.8 The CRA has been instrumental in streamlining the development process and Higher Education and over the last two (2) years, has initiated and or Regional Health Care 47.7 assumed responsibility for over $200 million Economic Recovery in development projects. Planning Fund 3.5 <

Future view of historic 301 Market Street

> 18 19 < Economic Development …WHERE WE’VE BEEN

Though the City has just begun its journey to Thriving Technology economic recovery, through creative ot- N public/private partnerships and building on Camden County College, Camden Technology withstanding Center (CTC). This new 278,000 square foot that Camden is its existing assets, it has witnessed the facility was one of the first construction still in the initiation as well as completion of select projects completed under the Municipal embryonic development projects that will have a lasting Recovery and Economic Rehabilitation Act. phase of its impact on the City’s economic fabric. Serving as a major training facility for renaissance, Enhanced Health Care it has already technology careers in health, business, and gained national • Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center the computer sciences, the Center features a recognition for Expansion. Last year, our Lady of computer laboratory, wired conference its economic Lourdes broke ground on a major new rooms, a 621 space parking garage and a development critical care expansion project that will 13,500 square foot bookstore. At a cost of initiatives. In dramatically enhance the level of health $19.6 million, the Center received $3.5 million in ERB funds and $8 million in state February 2004, care provided to the patient community. • CamCare Gateway Health Center. Last bond funding. Inc. Magazine The Economic Recovery Board provided year CamCare provided comprehensive ranked Camden $4.5 million toward this $53 million, preventative and primary health care as one of the top 121,000 square foot project will include: services to over 15,000 Camden County Enhanced ten (10) Big residents. With the opening of its new $9 Transportation Network Cities/Urban 1) 75 new critical care beds million, 40,000 square foot Gateway Cities in which to River Line Light Rail. With the establishment 2) 4 new operating suites Center in Downtown Camden, financed do business in of the new River Line Light Rail system, 3) Centralized surgical units in part by $1 million in ERB funds, America and operated by New Jersey Transit, Camden is 4) New emergency unit with CamCare will enhance not only the level identified it as now linked to Trenton, the state capital. 34 treatment bays but scope of services provided to the the number one Serving students, business commuters and 5) Larger inpatient rooms community. city in the tourists, the 34-mile, 20-station system is well 6) New state of the art School Northeast for on its way to meeting its daily rider-ship goal of Nursing entrepreneurial of 5,700 passengers. growth. < <

Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center New Jersey Transit River Line Light Rail system new Critical Care Building linking Camden to the state capital

> 20 21 < Economic Development

Revitalized Housing Since 2002 a renewed effort has been made to projects was the development of the Victor improve the housing stock in Camden. From Waterfront Lofts. Located on Camden’s 2002 to 2004 over 1,500 new housing units, Waterfront and developed by Dranoff totaling $164 million were developed in Properties, the $60 million conversion of the Camden. This expansion fueled access to qual- former RCA Nipper Building consists of 341 ity housing, making home ownership no apartments. Financed largely through private longer merely a dream, but a reality for many funding, this is one of the largest private invest- of Camden’s citizens. Among one of the largest ments in market rate housing in Camden.

Projects Completed b/t 1/1/02 thru 12/31/04 Project Name # Units Completed Investment Gateway Village Project 40 2004 $5,472,600 Tamerack Apartments - Ferry Station 542 2003 $28,000,000 Chelton Terrace - I 66 2002 $9,686,440 York Street and Pyne Point Projects 11 2003 $984,746 Jasper Street II Project & 4th Street 9 2002 $1,328,265 Park Blvd Phase I 10 2003 $903,500 32nd Street 49 2003 $7,681,433 Community Links I & Renew & Stockton II 53 2002 $6,042,597 Baldwin Run 78 2003 $13,845,718 Baldwin Run 49 2003 $7,266,535 Sixth Street Project 10 2003 $607,000 The Victor Loft Apartments 341 2003 $60,000,000 Camden OEO 30 2004 $3,900,000 Vesta Camden Urban Renewal LLC 183 2004 $13,700,000 RPM Development 35 2004 $5,000,000 1506 $164,418,834 Totals for 2002 128 17,057,302 Totals for 2003 1090 119,288,932 Totals for 2004 288 28,072,600 $164,418,834 <

The Victor Loft Apartments

> 22 23 < Economic Development Chelton Terrace

…AND WHERE WE’RE GOING <

Neighborhood Revitalization: Centerville/South Camden $1.3 Billion in New and Though much The Centerville Neighborhood had the has been Improved Housing highest concentration of obsolete public accomplished, A series of projects that will not only increase housing Camden. we have only the quantity, but quality, of housing availabil- 2004 Department of Housing and Urban ity is planned for Camden. begun. Development approved a third HOPE VI for Camden’s This revitalization, however, is not occurring in $20 million. growth is based a vacuum and a deliberative effort has been • Chelton Terrace welcomed sixty-six (66) on a five- made to develop the appropriate supportive families into new Public Housing surrounding infrastructure. As a result, the Townhouses over the last two years. pronged Camden Redevelopment Agency (CRA), is strategy that leading the charge to develop a 60,000 to • The upcoming phases of construction 70,000 square foot shopping center, anchored phase for Chelton will include 101 new emphasizes public housing family units innovative by a major supermarket, in North Camden, at 7th and Linden Avenue. Once completed, this • Antioch Manor this spring will provide private $9 million project will generate up to 225 full 64 units of affordable housing for seniors development, and part time jobs for local residents as well as neighborhood drastically improve urban shopping options East Camden and access. Parkside revitalization, The Housing Authority of the City of Camden health care Bergen Square has been awarded three HOPE VI grants. Gwendolyn Faison Mews expansion, the • McGuire Gardens recently received a • 77 million dollar project The redevelopment of the Bergen Square expansion of $42 million upgrade totaling in section of Camden will preserve it’s most • 51 senior citizens housing units academic 253 units. important buildings while improving and • Preservation of local historic structure institutions, and • Baldwin’s Run was awarded a $35 named the Pearlye Building adding new housing. million HOPE VI grant with 336 units waterfront • 2,500 new housing units completed to date • 6 Million in equity raised under the development. States Low Income Housing Tax • Creation of a new Town Center • An additional 147 affordable family and Credit program senior housing units will be completed • Proposed links to the PATCO high speed • Targeted completion 2005 line and the Camden to Trenton, River Line by 2006 < <

Baldwin’s Run Cramer Hill $1.2 Billion Redevelopment Project

> 24 25 < Economic Development

Innovative Private Health Care Expansion • Renovation of existing facilities Development • Expansion of critical care services at The Cooper Health System is in the midst of a Kelemen Pavilion, increasing bed More than 11,000 new housing units are major, $117 million capital expansion pro- capacity from 19 to 24 units gram. As southern new Jersey’s major tertiary proposed throughout the City of Camden over • Relocation of pediatric critical the next few years. By far, the largest project care referral hospital and one of Camden care services is being led by Cherokee Investment Partners, County’s major employers, it consists of over • Addition of two Operating Rooms at the LLC. Under this $1.2 billion project, over 3,400 employees with a medical staff of more 6,000 units, representing almost 55 percent of Children’s Regional Hospital, for a total than 540 physicians representing 70 special- of 12 suites new housing stock, will be constructed in ties. Once completed, the project is expected Cramer Hill. The construction of these units to increase employment by 15-18 percent. • Construction of a new 140,000 square alone is projected to produce approximately foot, 6 story Patient Care Pavilion that 1,600 new permanent jobs. Most importantly, Designed to enhance the Campus environ- will feature 60 private acute care by allocating 1000 units for affordable ment as well as improve access to the facility, patient rooms housing, the project is designed to ensure that the project consists of the following major Camden’s residents are full participants. components: Other components of the Cramer Hill Academic Expansion Redevelopment Plan will include the conversion of the 90-acre Harrison landfill Academic expansion is occurring at the sec- into an 18-hole golf course, the construction ondary as well as higher education levels. On of a marina and 500,000 square feet of new the secondary level, the Camden City Public retail space. School district has implemented a rigorous plan to enhance service delivery to the student In addition to the Cramer Hill Redevelopment population. Initiatives include the following: Plan, 301 Market Street is also undergoing revitalization. This $6.8 million historic • Development of a unified curriculum for preservation project will restore and grades 9-12 transform the New Jersey Safe Deposit and • Establishment of Standard Operating Trust Building, one of Camden’s architectural Procedures for the District treasures, into a commercial office complex. • Development of district-wide Led by the Camden Redevelopment Agency professional development training (CRA), the project is scheduled for completion in the winter 2005. < <

3-D model of Cooper University Hospital Octavius V. Catto Community School and $117 million expansion plans the Boys and Girls Club of Camden County > 26 27 < Economic Development

Complementing these local policy initiatives Within the realm of higher education, led by The new building will feature, among other items: is a major capital improvement program, Rutgers and Rowan Universities, Camden is • Five stories with 50,000 square feet under which the state is investing $437 mil- well positioned to become a robust academic of space lion to construct 15 new schools as well as corridor. On the horizon, Rutger’s, with • 20 classrooms renovate almost two dozen existing facilities almost 6,000 students, plan to implement a in Camden over the next decade. Prominent capital expansion plan that will include the • Computer labs among them is the Octavius V. Catto following programmatic initiatives: • Science labs Community School in East Camden, which will serve approximately 540 students, from • Construction of additional facilities for • Learning center for individualized pre-Kindergarten to 6th Grade. When com- the Law School at a cost of $31 million, tutoring pleted, this fully wired facility will have 26 $11 million of which will be provided by • Music/dance and art facilities general classrooms, 5 special education class- ERB funds rooms, a computer laboratory and classrooms • Multi-purpose room/cafeteria for student • Construction of a new 250 student dedicated to special subjects, such as art, programs and special campus and music and science. Located adjacent to the dormitory community events School will be a Boys and Girls Club that is Meanwhile, to accommodate increased • Conference rooms for faculty, student projected to serve over 500 youth daily. enrollment, Rowan University is planning to and special University use In addition, the Settlement Music School expand. Active in Camden since 1969, • Student lounge and study rooms Rowan University now is expanding its pres- recently announced its intent to initiate a $4 • Add baccalaureate- and master’s- ence in the city with the construction of a new million expansion project; $1 million of level courses which will be financed by ERB funds. The new five-story building. Funded with $5 million • Expand the pre-school program 13,000 square foot building, located in the from the State of New Jersey and $5 million 500 block of Market Street, will include 3 from Rowan University, the new building will • Establish a leadership academy for large classrooms, 14 teaching studios, a 100- allow its Camden campus to double its stu- principals and other school officials seat recital hall, and a music library. dent capacity to 1,000 and broaden its pro- • Include space within the facility that can Approximately 50 percent of the 700 grams to meet the ever-changing needs of the be used by community groups for enrollees are expected to be city residents. region, as funds in the future will permit. specialized training. <

Rowan University, Camden campus

> 28 29 < Economic Development

Waterfront Development The waterfront is unquestionably one of In addition to providing more leisure ameni- Camden’s greatest assets. Now, with nearly 3 ties, the development along the waterfront will million visitors annually, by 2015, the also feature residential as well as commercial Waterfront is projected to increase visitation development. by 100 percent, attracting in excess of 6 million visitors. Driving the Waterfront’s Residential Development expansion as a destination are the following • Dranoff Properties plans to develop the projects: Radio Lofts Condominium, located • The former New Jersey State Aquarium, adjacent to the Victor Waterfront Lofts. will be renamed Adventure Aquarium, Combined, the complex will house up to which is undergoing a major expansion. 2,300 residents. Scheduled for completion in May 2005, Commercial Development the renovation will add over 70,000 • Susquehanna Patriot Bank, formerly Equity additional square feet, 50 new exhibits Bank, will construct its new headquarters, and a 4-D IMAX theater. Projected to which will create 75 new jobs. The cost $56 million, $25 million, or project is slated for completion in 2005. almost 45 percent, will be provided by ERB funds. • The Waterfront Technology Center. The result of a collaborative effort • Town Center, the construction of which between private industry and the New is slated to begin in 2005, will include Jersey Economic Development Authority, restaurants, office space as well as a this five (5) story, 100,000 square foot public park facility is designed specifically to attract • Skylink Aerial Tram. Linking Camden to companies specializing in the Philadelphia, the Skylink Tram, funded biosciences, microelectronics, information by the Delaware River Port Authority, and biotechnology industries. Surrounded will provide access to Camden’s many by L-3 Communications, the Coriell tourist attractions, including the Institute and Rutgers University, the Aquarium Campbell’s Field and Center will be an integral part of Tweeter Center. Camden’s technology corridor. <

The new tech center is the latest in the continuing development of the Waterfront Technology Campus originally started with L-3 complex > 30 31 < City of Camden

Angel Fuentes President, City Council 4th Ward

Dana L. Redd Vice President, City Council Gwendolyn A. Faison Inside Back Cover Councilperson-At-Large Mayor

L. Louise Dobbs Councilperson-At-Large Blank

Israel Nieves Councilperson-At-Large

Michael P. McGuire 1st Ward

Ali Sloan-El, Sr. 2nd Ward

Francisco “Frank” Moran 3rd Ward This publication was produced by the following individuals. The Chief Operating Officer and the City of Camden offers a special thanks to each of them for their efforts.

Graphic Design: Professional Writing: Editorial Consultant: Editor-in-Charge: SwintonStudio.com Pam Harper Jerome Harris Dwight A. Wilson The Harper Group The Harris Organization Chief of Staff Office of the C.O.O. > 32 TheThe ChangingChanging FaceFace ofof Camden…Camden…New Jersey’s new success address. 10 Things You Ought to Know About Today’s Camden:

Camden is a city on the move. A dynamic, urban community on the Delaware River. A city of strong neighborhoods and an emerging downtown.

1. Hot Spot for Entrepreneurs: Named by Inc. Magazine as one of the Top Six Communities in the nation for entrepreneurial growth. 2. Massive City-Wide Revitalization: Redevelopment efforts totaling more than $3 billion in public and private investment. 3. Dynamic Waterfront: Home to Walt Whitman as well as major venues, such as the Battleship New Jersey and Adventure Aquarium, that draw 3 million visitors annually. 4. College Town: Annual enrollment at the city campuses of Rutgers University, Rowan University, The Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing, and Camden County College tops 9,000 students. 5. World-class Healthcare: Campuses of Cooper University Hospital, Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Virtua Health Camden, plus the world’s largest human cell repository, the Coriell Institute. 6. Transportation Hub: New light rail link to Trenton (30,000 riders per week), PATCO High Speed Line to Philadelphia (40,000 riders daily), more than 20 NJ Transit bus routes, and the RiverLink Ferry make the city one of the “best connected” in the country. 7. Superb Location: Across the river from Philadelphia, at the heart of the nation’s sixth largest metropolitan area and within 250 miles of 12 states and 60 million consumers. 8. Great Place to Live: Diverse neighborhoods with an abundance of new housing opportunities. 9. Hi-Tech Corridor: Positioned on the east coast’s fiber optic backbone and home to cutting-edge, high-tech facilities, such as L-3 Communications and the Rutgers and Drexel University incubators. 10. Deep-water Port: South Jersey Port Corporation set an all-time record for cargo handled in 2003, exceeding 3.1 million tons.