City of Trenton to Host Grand Reopening of Reading Senior Center
On Thursday, September 10th, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM, the City of Trenton will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand reopening of the renovated Reading Senior Center at 15 Ringold Street. The 11,000-square-foot facility will open its doors for the first time in over eight years, with new operations & programs beginning Tuesday, September 15th.
Originally constructed in 1888 as a train station for the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad, the Center served as a vital gathering place for Trenton’s seniors- providing meals, hosting social gatherings, daily programs, and access to supportive services. Following its closure years ago, a prior renovation effort was halted by the previous City Council before completion and was further complicated by destructive acts of vandalism in 2022. Its reopening marks the culmination of a years-long effort by the Gusciora Administration and the Trenton City Council to restore the historic facility and return it to the community.
In February, the City announced a $1.3 million partnership with Mercer County to rehabilitate the Center. Mercer County committed more than $600,000 in American Rescue Plan funds to jump-start construction, with the remaining balance provided by the City through federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.
The rehabilitation restored and modernized approximately 11,000 square feet of the historic facility. Improvements include renovated community and program areas, new floor and ceiling finishes, a new kitchen, modernized lighting and electrical systems, mechanical improvements, and a new elevator providing ADA accessibility. The City is working to secure additional funding to fully modernize the building’s HVAC system, and in the meantime has installed temporary HVAC units. The Reading Senior Center will also become the new home of the City of Trenton Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Community Relations and Social Services, beginning Wednesday, September 16, providing seniors with convenient access to City programs and assistance.
