History

Through the municipal agency reorganization that was completed in early 2003, the Camden Redevelopment Agency (CRA) became the City of Camden's center for development policy and programming. Other agencies were realigned to support this central CRA role. The Camden Redevelopment Agency and the Camden Department of Development and Planning, under common leadership, have grasped this opportunity to organize and implement a broad reaching array of citywide development and investment activities. All city agencies are now working together under unified leadership to:

• Complete development planning activities in all of the City’s neighborhoods.
• Provide real estate, financing, and other resources to assist community-supported development ventures.
• Ensure that Camden residents and business persons benefit from development activities as a result of the upgrading of the physical environment, the creation and expansion of business enterprises and opportunities, and the availability of jobs.

The revitalization strategy is designed to generate economic and social benefits for Camden residents for years to come. The coordinated approach streamlines the development process and enables the City to meet current and future requests for development and redevelopment supporting activities. The CRA umbrella includes the following areas:

Economic Development: Administration of programs for commercial, industrial and institutional development, as well as business expansion and retention. Environmental remediation and brownfields development.

Housing and Capital Projects: Project development and support for the planning, application, administration, and monitoring activities associated with local, state and federal housing programs. Design, installation, and improvement of public infrastructure, including parks and playgrounds.

Planning: Master planning, capital planning, redevelopment planning, neighborhood strategic planning. Historic preservation and Planning and Zoning Board permits.

Real Estate and Property Assembly: Management of information about property scheduled for development citywide. Administration of property acquisition and disposition activities.