Gentrification in Camden?

[carloss]

Another historic building set to face the wrecking ball:

Campbell's plans to raze Sears Building | Courier-Post | courierpostonline.com

Yet another case of demolition-by-neglect making total demo inevitable. (Try imagining the level of visible abandonment of the Divine Lorraine, times 5.) Probably better for the city in the long run from the standpoint of economic stimulus, but still, you'd have to squint pretty hard to see gentrification down the road. Choice quote:

The company’s announcement prompted mixed emotions from Mark Willis, a local businessman who once owned the Sears Building. Willis in 1999 helped thwart plans by the Delaware River Port Authority to level the building as part of a boulevard beautification project.

“It absolutely breaks my heart,” said Willis. “When the first ball hits it, I’ll be there. And when the last ball hits, I’ll still be there.”

But Willis also said the building’s decline symbolized Camden’s failure to value an architectural treasure.

“The way I care about the building, I’d rather it be gone than look like that,” he said. In that context, Willis added, “I’ll be glad to see that great building leave the city. It’s a testament to the lack of imagination on everybody’s part.”

Um...ouch.

[mixiboi]

7-Eleven comes to Camden...

A third 7-Eleven moves to Camden despite the city's ban on its 24/7 model

“The city is proud to welcome 7-Eleven and Subway to Camden and historic Cooper Street,” Redd said in the Rutgers news release.

“These new business additions are yet another example that Camden is on the rise and open for business opportunities,” she said.

[thoth]

Wow never even knew about that curfew on businesses. That seems pretty terrible, reactive strategy for dealing with criminal activity centered around a small business, which I don't doubt is a problem. I've been to Camden late at night a number of times, and the most freakish thing about that place is how even the main commercial arteries are totally dead at night. The curfew might have some marginal impact on crime (although I sort of doubt it), but the side effect is that it also pulls everyone off the streets and makes that place even creepier than it already is.

Anyway, glad to see any kind of new business opening in their downtown. The little student ghetto seems to be coming along and might actually end up stabilizing at least the downtown core, which would be a godsend.