My East Camden

East Camden is a culturally diverse yet isolated neighborhood in the eastern portion of the City of Camden. While the ​“Neighborhoods of East Camden,” as the area is known, is predominantly residential, it has a number of other assets, including vibrant commercial centers and an underutilized industrial area. East Camden also is separated from the rest of the city by several land-use barriers – the Cooper River, the Conrail rail lines and Route 30.

Like most parts of the city, East Camden experienced economic decline in the mid to late 20th century. As its population decreased, poverty levels rose. Infrastructure deteriorated, creating high levels of vacancy. But over the last decade, East Camden’s population began rebounding, even as the broader city’s population continued to decline. Today, East Camden is relatively stable, its population slightly on the rise and unemployment below the rest of the city.

To build on the neighborhood’s strengths, a partnership of community development, planning and housing organizations have crafted a unified community vision to help guide future planning and shape local action. MY EAST CAMDEN is a neighborhood plan that offers a five-year, resident-driven vision for the Neighborhoods of East Camden, incorporating feedback from engaged residents and community leaders to develop strategies that enhance this neighborhood of choice.

MY EAST CAMDEN involved an extensive community engagement process. Six stakeholder committee meetings, two open houses, three focus groups, comment booklets, a neighborhood survey and a public presentation engaged more than 700 residents in a 15-month planning term. From this far-reaching public process, East Camden residents, businesses, and stakeholders have outlined a strategic vision that lays the groundwork for good quality housing in a clean and safe neighborhood; enhances the quality of life for all East Camden residents; strengthens economic development and cultural vibrancy in the commercial corridors and employment centers; and leverages community assets to advance sustainability and community cohesion.

“Cultivating Community” is at the center of MY EAST CAMDEN – building upon the existing assets within the Neighborhoods of East Camden and the values of East Camden residents to ensure a healthy and viable future. What is MY EAST CAMDEN? MY EAST CAMDEN is a stable neighborhood, a diverse and inclusive community, a safe and protected a community, a neighborhood that values its young people, a neighborhood with employment centers, a cultural destination, and an integral part of the City of Camden.

Four overarching goals can help to achieve this resident-driven vision, and guide the strategies of MY EAST CAMDEN:

1. Improve Neighborhood Conditions
   Make East Camden a safer place; ensure clean, attractive, well-maintained neighborhoods; transform vacant lots into stable places; improve vacant buildings; and improve access to neighborhood services for all East Camden residents.
2. Foster Commercial Revitalization & Economic Development
   Strengthen East Camden’s industrial area; develop more vibrant, walkable, mixed-use commercial districts; support and expand East Camden business associations; and strengthen workforce development opportunities.
3. Improve Housing
   Support homeownership opportunities; maintain and improve existing housing; expand and support infill and rehabilitation of housing; and pursue long-term, significant investment opportunities.
4. Enhance Culture, Arts, Open Space & the Public Realm
   Make East Camden more walkable and bikeable; improve roadway conditions and safety; encourage public transportation ridership and enhance service; ensure safe, high-quality, well-maintained, and frequently used parks; improve East Camden gateways; increase the number of street trees in East Camden; and make East Camden more sustainable.

MY EAST CAMDEN is a comprehensive plan that identifies the improvements that residents, businesses and community leaders would like to see in the short term. At the same time, its resident driven vision speaks to how East Camden can be a better place for future generations. Implementation of these recommendations will require cooperation and collaboration between all stakeholders: residents, businesses, community organizations, non-profits, educational institutions, religious institutions, local government, and others. While most of MY EAST CAMDEN’S recommendations can be implemented within a five-year time frame, stakeholders must continue to advocate for this vision and sustain momentum over the next 10, 20 or 30 years to ensure a better future for East Camden.