Question 1

What is the NPP?

Accepted Answer

The Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) is a five-year grant from the NJ Department of Community Affairs that is designed to generate visible, tangible change in the Downtown Neighborhood driven by local residents and business owners. Downtown Trenton is one of 40 NPP neighborhoods statewide.

Question 2

Who coordinates and guides this project?

Accepted Answer

The City of Trenton was the lead applicant for this grant, in partnership with Isles, Inc., which is coordinating its implementation with guidance from the NPP Stakeholders Group. The City of Trenton's Division of Planning provides oversight and guidance of the NPP Coordinator (Chris Shimchick, Senior Project Manager at Isles).

As a citizen-driven process, NPP relies on the support of a comprehensive community survey, oversight of a representative stakeholders team, and an ongoing dialogue with community members through regular community engagement. A Downtown Trenton NPP Stakeholders Group is made up of downtown residents, business owners, property owners, and faith-based leaders to help prioritize funding of projects and to provide ongoing guidance/feedback throughout this process.

Question 3

Who is in the Downtown NPP Stakeholders Group?

Accepted Answer

The Downtown Trenton NPP Stakeholders Group is made up of downtown residents, business owners, property owners, and faith-based leaders to help prioritize funding of projects and to provide ongoing guidance/feedback throughout this process.

Current Members:
Lawrence Boyd - Bishop, Chosen Generation Church; Executive Director HelpSelf; NPP Property Owner
Molly Dykstra - Project Lead - 120 E State; NPP Property Owner
Jim Gordon - Trenton Community A-Team
Eric Maywar - Economic Development Specialist, City of Trenton; NPP Property Owner
Katherine Nunnally - Executive Director, Smith Family Foundation; NPP Property Owner
Butch Osterman - Former Trenton Police Officer; NPP Property Owner; NPP Resident
Scott Miller - NPP Resident; NPP Business Owner; NPP Property Owner

Interested in becoming a member? Please contact Chris Shimchick at cshimchick@isles.org

Question 4

What are the NPP boundaries?

Accepted Answer

The NPP will focus projects in an area of downtown from Route 1 to North Willow Street and from Perry to Lafayette Street. To view a larger map, click here.

Question 5

What are the NPP's goals?

Accepted Answer

The Neighborhood Preservation Program seeks to address many of the issues that stem from appearance and safety concerns to further a more vibrant Downtown atmosphere.  These two issues were identified as the highest priorities in the NPP Community Survey. Its implementation will also serve as a spark to strengthen relationships and communication between various stakeholders and the City of Trenton.

Through a collaborative community process that included stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and review of prior research, this Action Plan proposes five strategic goals:

Goal 1:  APPEARANCE: Improve appearance, maintenance, and cleanliness of buildings, public spaces, and businesses.

Goal 2: PUBLIC HEALTH & COMMUNITY SAFETY: Create a safe, walkable, welcoming community that is intolerant of violence and provides recreational and health-oriented resources and opportunities.

Goal 3: RESIDENT EMPOWERMENT & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY: Ensure residents and local businesses have the skills, knowledge, and economic capacities to actively contribute to the revitalization of the neighborhood.

Goal 4: CREATIVE ARTS: Incorporate creative arts and culture into all aspects of the NPP district’s revitalization.

Goal 5:  STRENGTHEN & SUSTAIN COORDINATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS: Nurture strong relationships between City of Trenton, Trenton Police Department, Trenton Parking Authority, Trenton Downtown Association, and Trenton Downtown community stakeholders

Question 6

What kinds of projects does NPP support?

Accepted Answer

Examples of Year 1 activities include:
-support for downtown residents to improve home exterior repairs
-support and technical assistance for downtown business owners
-improved lighting and sidewalk
-signage/awning improvements for downtown small businesses 
-pop-up market coordination to support creative businesses and artists in a vacant storefront

Question 7

Where can I read the Downtown Trenton NPP Implementation Plan?

Accepted Answer

You can read the plan here!

Question 8

How can I get involved or contact someone for more information?

Accepted Answer

Contact Chris Shimchick, NPP Coordinator at:
609-341-4716
cshimchick@isles.org

FAQ