There was some discussion here last week about how Camden could take advantage of Historic Preservation. A few folks made contributions (either in public or private conversations) that I wanted to highlight. That’s one of the joys of this blog, that when I discuss things in Camden, folks often share with me exciting projects going on.
Felix Moulier passed along this article, highlighting a grant Cooper’s Ferry received to preserve the Joseph Cooper House:
The dilapidated Joseph Cooper House is the oldest city structure. Like the nearby Benjamin Cooper House, another long abandoned and deteriorating historic home in North Camden, it was once occupied by the family of Camden’s first settler, William Cooper.
A longtime city redevelopment agency is taking steps to save both houses, previously listed by Preservation New Jersey among the state’s most endangered historic buildings.
But progress has been slow.
Cooper’s Ferry Partnership has secured grants from the New Jersey Historic Trust to eventually save the two homes. It has placed new metal fencing around the roofless Joseph Cooper house to discourage intruders.
Photo by Chris LaChall/Courier-Post
The article also brings up a key issue that Courier-Post reporter Kevin Shelly mentioned in the comments, the lack of demand for historic structures. Kevin wrote:
Preservation can make sense.
But, the biggest impediment to preservation is the complete lack of demand in the real estate market for Camden property without *HUGE* governmental support.
Rehabbing a single Camden row home, which *might* sell on the open market for say $30,000, can run $90,000 to $110,000.
That’s a tough equation to solve.
Just look at Radio Lofts, which had support money attached to it, sitting a block away from the Victor Lofts.
The C-P article hit on this theme, mentioning that the preserved structure now had no buyer:
The historic trust gave $48,000 for the Joseph Cooper House, built in 1695, and $15,000 for the other Cooper house. The latter also has received money from the Camden County Open Space trust fund and the 1772 Foundation.
The Joseph Cooper House, at 7th and Erie streets, is where the Cooper Point Ferry was established for transportation on the Delaware River. The Benjamin Cooper House, built in 1734, is on 7th Street at the riverfront.
But as efforts are made for the Cooper properties, no one has come forward to rescue other forgotten historic sites in Camden, Gloucester and Burlington counties that have been neglected for various reasons.
The big question I have is whether this preservation option holds more value until the time that demand in Camden is high enough to sell it. Blight can disable a neighborhood, but empty land isn’t much better. I’m skeptical of demolitions, and in New Orleans saw preservation work as a value-holder to keep neighborhoods from becoming gap-toothed and low-density.
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@Lew- last I heard was that $1 million was sent back because it was not used before the deadline it had to be used by. I’ve been approached by a couple of people who want to restore it but the cost is through the roof
There is so much critical history contained in this city, not just critical to the city, but to the entire region. Considering the enormous amounts of money being thrown around as part of the EDA right now, it wouldn’t be out of line to ask businesses entering the city to prioritize adaptive reuse over new boxes on the waterfront.
As an aside, is anyone aware of the status of the old Carnegie Library on Broadway? Is it still in stabilization? Last update I can find is from some meeting minutes from the Economic Recovery Board in 2011 where they approved a million dollar restoration effort.
If I had the resources I would’ve have purchased, preserved and rehabbed the Hotel Plaza that was recently demolished. Had a vision to make it mix use ( Commercial/Residential) and Mixed Income. The lobby would’ve been top notch with a gymnasium, free Wi-Fi and a rooftop deck/garden. It would’ve been better than an empty lot that sits there now.