Economic Development Projects - Blackwood Clementon Road Greyfields Study 

Blackwood West   |   Camden County College   |   Camden County Health Services   |   Nike Missle Base  
Gloucester Township Center   |   Lakeside Business Park   |   Town Square Plaza   |   Blackwood West Brownfields   |   Route 42 Interchange     

Gloucester Township has received two planning grants totaling $91,000 to study the Blackwood-Clementon Road commercial district between Erial and Laurel Roads.  $56,000 was awarded by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.  The grant was one of only 23 selected for funding under the agency’s Transportation and Community Development Initiative (TCDI).  The second grant was for $35,000 from the NJ Department of Community Affairs-Office of Smart Growth under the Smart Future program.  Both grants will be combined to support a planning initiative that will examine ways to rejuvenate the corridor.

Blackwood-Clementon Road is Gloucester Township’s main commercial highway and a typical suburban strip development - a reflection of previous suburban sprawl.  The study area is home to a number of shopping centers, restaurants and commercial establishments. As is the case with many commercial strip malls across the country, many of the centers and surrounding buildings have experienced high vacancy rates and turnover, a condition known as “greyfields.”  As a result, the Township proposes to create a vision for the corridor which will be based on a thorough analysis of market factors, community needs and public priorities.

October '06

With the planning grants, the Township will study the conditions along the corridor and develop innovative strategies to address the conditions.  A steering committee comprised of local officials, the shopping center owners and the public will engage in a dialogue to generate creative ideas.  Communication tools and public forums will be conducted to gather public input.  The outcome of the planning process will be a conceptual plan and a series of recommendations for the governing body. 

March '08

The Greyfields Study is complete.  Some very exciting concepts came out of the studying and planning process.  Now the real work begins.  The study outcome is too detailed and comprehensive to encapsulate so please download and read the study for yourself.  Blackwood Clementon Road Final Report