On Monday, July 10, Gateway Community Action Partnership will kick off a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization planning process for the Southeast Gateway neighborhood in Bridgeton.    The process will be funded with a grant from the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation and details will be announced at the Southeast Gateway Community Day event which will be held at the Greater Bridgeton Family Success Center from 12 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  With a planning grant from the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation, Gateway CAP will engage community residents, elected officials and stakeholders in a 14-month planning process to envision the revitalization of Southeast Gateway.  The plan will build off the Southeast Gateway Neighborhood plan which was completed in 2005. 

  “We are excited to continue our partnership with Gateway Community Action Partnership,” said Denise McGregor Armbrister, Executive Director of the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation. “Their work in the Southeast Gateway neighborhood is crucial in moving not only the community but the entire City of Bridgeton forward.”

  The original plan focused on revitalization activities; economic development, affordable housing, services to children and families, and neighborhood building and organizing.  Since the completion of that plan, Gateway has constructed 21 new homes that were purchased and occupied by neighborhood families; repaired 30 homes representing 6,630 service hours performed by 210 volunteers and $47,510 in free labor; weatherized more than 58 homes; and established the Greater Bridgeton Family Success Center, which provides educational and recreational activities for adults and youth.

 Additionally through the Neighborhood Association Gateway helped start, two pocket park playgrounds were established; one of which was completely refurbished and another outfitted with new equipment. Gateway started a community garden that now provides fresh food and produce for residents City-wide.

  Gateway is working with Triad Associates, Inc. on the current plan, which is due to the Foundation in May 2018. Community partners on the planning grant include Temple Vision Community Development Corporation (CDC), Cumberland Empowerment Zone, local law enforcement, and the Rutgers Food Innovation Center.

  “Wells Fargo Regional Foundation has been a steadfast partner with Gateway, the residents of Southeast Gateway and with the City of Bridgeton and has provided real resources,” Albert B. Kelly, CCAP, Gateway President & CEO, said.

  “They have provided resources in terms of dollars to make our community’s dreams a reality, and they have also provided the guidance, direction, and expertise to unify the community and maximize our impact on that community,” Kelly added.

  The planning process will be resident driven and seeks to create a model program for police/community relations; expand economic and retail development; continue home ownership initiatives and enhance access to recreation and services.

  The Community Day event is free and open to the public and will feature games, prizes, food, vendors, entertainment and information and resources for children and families. The next step in the planning process is the resident survey, which will take place during the month of July.  Summer Interns will go door-to-door engaging with residents in a grass roots effort to ascertain the needs and vision for the Southeast Gateway Neighborhood.  

  For additional information on the July 10 event or the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation planning grant, contact Jo Pearson at 856-497-6655