Chancellor Pritchett recently posted comments regarding Rutger’s interest in North Camden. Has anyone see this? Thoughts?
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Many of you have seen media reports that Rutgers is interested in building north of the bridge, perhaps on the site of the former prison. I can tell you that we are interested in building a parking deck on the site of the former prison parking lot. We all know that parking in any urban setting is challenging and as our student population grows, so does our need for parking. This deck would also become the new headquarters for the Rutgers University Police Department, which will provide additional security for the neighborhood. We will continue to house an RUPD presence in the Administrative Services Building as well, and services and patrols will not be altered. This plan is in the early stages, and will require much input from relevant stakeholders.
We also are in discussions to identify a site just north of the bridge that would accommodate playing fields for our new lacrosse program, which starts as an intercollegiate sport this coming spring. The fields would include a track, which our campus currently lacks.
These facilities, combined with new graduate and undergraduate student housing, will attract more students to live in our University District. We currently house approximately 550 students on campus; once we reach a critical mass of 2,000 residential students, with an overall student enrollment of 7,500, Rutgers will become even more of a lynchpin to attract retail investment in the city.
These are just a few examples of how we already rise to the challenge of engaging our community. There are many more examples, and even more potential for growth. I welcome your thoughts in this area.
(Full text of speech at http://news.rutgers.edu/medrel/statements/2009/chancellors-annual-a-20090918)
5 responses so far ↓
1 Father Jeff // Sep 24, 2009 at 9:44 am
Father Jeff,
I disagree with allowing Rutgers to build a parking garage on the site of
the demolished Riverfront State Prison. While I understand the need for
student parking, I feel that property would not be the best location for a
garage. As a North Camden resident, I feel completely isolated from the
Rutgers community. The area is already cut off from residents as it is and
building a parking garage on the waterfront would further isolate
residents. Also, a parking garage would not make an aesthetically pleasing
addition to the waterfront.
The best way to utilize such a sought-after real estate property would be
to bring in a business that would either encourage tourism to the City of
Camden or turn it into a greenway for residents and tourists alike.
Thank you,
Shirley Irizarry
2 Father Jeff // Sep 24, 2009 at 9:49 am
Thanks Shirley for the comment. I was surprised to read Chancellor Pritchett’s comments as I have been attending both planning meetings that have been taking place for months and haven’t heard anything about this. That surprises me and makes me wonder where the “planning” process for North Camden is taking place.
3 coopergrant327 // Dec 16, 2009 at 12:16 am
I agree with the previous comments. As a Cooper Grant resident I am a stakeholder regarding north Camden matters. In some ways, my location in Cooper Grant puts me closer to the prison site than most North Camden residents. Having said that, I agree that all residents need to have input in the above mentioned matters. RUTGERS would like for us to blindly accept their plans, and make us believe that their ideas are for the good of the community – how nice it certainly sounds. The fact is that this article shines light on the reality of the situation: RUTGERS is a large state institution with its own set of goals, interests, and motivations. As residents, these are our homes, our neighborhoods, and our backyards. It may not seem like a big deal to RUTGERS, but having a paking garage or lacrosse field in your backyard IS a big deal. This is prime property that should not be arbitrarily thrown away to the dogs. There is a lot of taxable land and smart development possible in North Camden. Downtown looks like Swiss cheese after years of different plans starting and stopping – having too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the broth. The residents shouldn’t just have a seat at the table, they should make up most of the table. At the end of the night, Coopers Ferry and Rutgers employees go home to their beds in the suburbs. To them, this is a job. To us, this is about our homes and lives.
The last thing north Camden needs is a lacrosse field, skating rink or parking garage. Lets get real people – This is a city. Let’s stop trying to make Camden something that it’s not, and focus on the beautiful architecture and possibilities that exist.
4 Camden Resident // Dec 18, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Shirley and Father Jeff, the site for the Parking Garage, as I understand it, is NOT the former prison it is the vacant parking lot East of Delaware Avenue (the former Prison Parking Lot). Not sure where they are thinking the lacrosse field/track/dorms would go but I can tell you having Rutgers in your back yard is far more good than bad. Being a Cooper Grant resident, I personally LOVE Rutgers and what they do for security, value, and maintenance. It would be great if Rutgers built a parking Garage and Police Department on the East Side of Delaware Ave, north of the Bridge. Thereafter, adding Fields and dorms would light up and beautify the area similar to Cooper Grant. With enough Students/Residents maybe we can even get some retail.
To whom it may concern @ Rutgers:
GROW RUTGERS GROW! You are the main reason why Cooper Grant is the beautiful neighborhood that it is today. You don’t talk about growth, you actually do it. I hope the residents recognize you for the true value you bring to our community.
THANK YOU!
5 craig // Apr 6, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I would like to see the waterfront areas of North Camden next to Pyne Point Park include a lot of park and recreational facilities for the residents and not have development extend all the way to the waterfront the way it does south of the bridge. South of the bridge there is really not enough ground for recreation except at Wiggins Park and there are a lot of people living in North Camden who could use the open space. An agreement could be made with Rutgers to maintain the larger park areas around their playing fields and also to maintain adjacent recreational areas around Pyne Point. We could have fountains, gardens and trees to provide shade in the summer, also bicycle and walking paths like East Park Drive in Philadelphia. Maybe someone could have a boat rental service there or a restaurant. Rutgers would be a good addition to the neighborhood because they bring a lot of funds, community planning and administrative expertise to the City and also because they provide educational oportunities and programs for many of the people who live in the City and who want to send their children to school there.
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