City of Trenton Seeks Feedback on Grant for the Downtown Neighborhood
The City of Trenton is seeking feedback from people who live, work, shop and eat in the Downtown for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP). The online survey will help determine the projects and priorities designed to revitalize and rejuvenate the area located in and around the State, Broad, Front and Warren corridors and boost economic growth.
Anyone who completes the survey and provides their email address will automatically be entered into a contest to win one of 10 $25 Love Local Downtown Trenton gift cards, which can be redeemed at any participating merchant in Downtown Trenton, including 1911 Smokehouse BBQ, The Big Easy, Haute Nails & Co., Classic Books, BeSuited, Royal Cake Creations, Beauty World, and more!
In October, Trenton was awarded a 5-year NPP designation which includes an initial $125,000 grant to generate visible, tangible change in the Downtown Neighborhood driven by local residents and business owners. It is anticipated that the Downtown Neighborhood will receive up to $125,000 a year for five years to assist with economic and community development. The online survey is one step toward ensuring residents and business owners have the opportunity to provide valuable input for the 5-year NPP Implementation Plan.
The City of Trenton, under the leadership of a local NPP Coordinator through Isles, with support of a local NPP Stakeholder Team will create an Implementation Plan that combines significant community engagement, local knowledge, and hard data. The resulting plan is an achievable and comprehensive set of projects and programs that address local needs and build on local assets.
“This opportunity has the potential to be a dynamic economic, social, and cultural hub that meets the needs of residents, commuters, and visitors with safe, affordable, healthy housing and recreational and entertainment opportunities,” said Mayor Reed Gusciora. "It will help the City further our efforts to support existing businesses and improve the safety and appearance and provide overall improvements to the Downtown.”
The deadline for completing the survey, which is available in multiple languages, is Friday, December 31st at 12 midnight. Go to this link to help us create a community-driven vision for the future of the Downtown Neighborhood. The survey can also be accessed using the below QR Code.
Trenton is among 40 communities throughout New Jersey to receive this designation since NPP was revived in 2019 by Governor Phil Murphy and Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver as part of their plan to create a stronger and fairer New Jersey. The goal is to increase place, economic, civic and social value. It achieves this by enhancing buildings, streets and a district’s entire physical realm, by supporting and coordinating small business recovery, growth and sustainability, and by marketing district events and activities while also engaging local stakeholders in planning and relationship building.
For more information, contact Chris Shimchick, NPP Coordinator at cshimchick@isles.org
