Demolition Day for 20 homes on Sanford Street

Demolition of 20 homes on Sanford Street in Trenton finally began today after months of delay, signaling a new beginning in an area known to be one of the most blighted blocks in the city. 

“It’s not easy to have to go through a neighborhood and demolish an entire block of houses,” said At-Large Councilwoman Jasi Edwards. “This [block] was something that was an eyesore not just for the neighborhood, but for the entire city, and this could be part of the transformative change we need for the capital city.”

Edwards said that she was proud to be a member of the voting committee to see the project brought into fruition and to witness the demolition being done on her watch. 

In July a press conference was held by Mayor Gusciora, members of city council, and city officials that revealed $560,000 in funding was approved to have the houses demolished on Sanford Street with the neighboring block Middle Rose Street to be completed during the second phase of the project. 

There has been considerable interest from local churches and redevelopers in being part of the Sanford Street neighborhood revitalization, but any transformational project requires active community engagement and participation. In the case of the Sanford Street demolition, the involvement of residents and local organizations in the decision-making process is crucial.

Hamilton-based Carroll Demolition is the company contracted to demolish the homes, which have been boarded up for years,  because they pose imminent hazards and cannot be stabilized.

“We live in a city that only has 39% of a homeownership rate, Newark is 23%,” said North Ward Councilwoman, Jennifer Williams. “I read an article in the Asbury Park Press [that] did a study, and in Trenton the number of corporate-owned properties that are owned LLC’s is nearly double, and it’s tragic what that has done to our city.” 

The Trenton Journal spoke to a few residents of the Sanford Street neighborhood the day of the demolition who said that they were happy to see progress being made, but they hoped that the neighborhood revitalization will also equate to future job opportunities for Trentonians.