Nothing has Changed on Broadway

I have been working in Camden, New Jersey for over 6 months now. I see the worst sections in Camden everyday because the bus I ride cuts right through them. I wish I could see Broadway be revitalized and hope that maybe the Cooper Hospital expansion will make an impact on this street.

Broadway is in such a devastating state of blight, neglect, and a haven for illicit activity. The day I had to walk down Broadway to the transportation center downtown was not pleasant. The sidewalks are more uneven than in Philadelphia and there are big chunks of sidewalk missing in long sections. Litter and weeds were everywhere I looked as I carefully walked forward. Then I was worried about walking through a group of users from the methadone clinic, drug dealers and prostitutes. Even though it was an unpleasant experience, I didn't feel threatened.

Houses and storefronts stand vacant on every block in a ratio of 4:1. The buildings are in such decay that they are crumbling into the sidewalk and trees grow through the roofs. Windows and doors are boarded up making the buildings appear unsightly. The commercial space that has been advertised for lease in the new parking garage for Cooper stands empty. It is a huge space perfect for a small grocery which I would love to see because community access to healthy foods is poor with only one grocery store serving the entire city of Camden.

When residents, business owners, and community groups make themselves visible, I experience feelings of hope. I see business owners sweeping in front of their storefronts sometimes. Or I see a huge pile of leftover bags full of garbage from a clean-up waiting to be picked up. And I hear news and attend public events with community groups and organizations that are steadily working on projects that will effectively change the spirit of the depressed surrounding neighborhood. I wish progress was faster but it's only up to active individuals that have been left alone with such few resources to work with in an area ignored by the city government.