DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION &
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Downtown Trenton should be thriving. We're the state capital, located between New York City and Philadelphia, with access to major highways and transit. Instead, our downtown is filled with closed shops, abandoned buildings, and empty streets. The state has invested in massive office buildings near Route 29—worth over $1 billion in tax-exempt property—but state workers don't interact with the local community or invest in local businesses.
For decades, Trentonians have watched groundbreaking ceremonies and press conferences announcing big developments that never materialize. Investors put up signs and logos, make promises about jobs and opportunities, then disappear. Meanwhile, contractors make money off endless studies and half-completed projects funded by taxpayer dollars.
Rolando is tired of the photo ops and broken promises. He wants real development that benefits real Trentonians.
The Plan
Create a Truly Business-Friendly Environment
• Streamline permitting, inspections, and approval processes
• Reduce bureaucratic delays that drive businesses away
• Provide clear, consistent rules and expectations
• Make it easy for businesses to open, operate, and grow in Trenton
Support Local Businesses
• Recognize that over 70% of Trenton businesses are Hispanic-owned
• Provide resources, technical assistance, and access to capital
• Encourage residents to shop local and invest in their own community
• Create networking and partnership opportunities for local entrepreneurs
Leverage Our Location
• Market Trenton as an affordable alternative to NYC and Philadelphia
• Attract young professionals and families priced out of those markets
• Promote our proximity to major employment centers and cultural attractions
• Position Trenton as a place where people can live well for less
Demand Real Investment, Not Just Promises
• Hold developers accountable for following through on commitments
• No more groundbreaking ceremonies for projects that never happen
• Ensure that new development actually creates jobs for Trentonians
• Stop wasting money on studies and consultants—invest in actual construction
Activate Downtown
• Work with property owners to fill vacant storefronts
• Create incentives for retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues
• Make downtown a place where people want to spend time
v Improve safety, cleanliness, and atmosphere
Build a Real Partnership with the State
• Demand that state workers engage with and support local businesses
• Push for state investment that benefits the community, not just state operations
• Work toward a partnership model similar to what Newark and Camden have achieved
• Make Trenton a capital that New Jersey can be proud of
Demolish Abandoned Properties
• Use the $9 million in demolition funds that have been sitting unused since 2017
• Remove dangerous eyesores that drive down property values
• Return cleared lots to productive use
• Get properties back on the tax rolls
Why This Matters
Rolando grew up watching factories close and businesses leave Trenton. He saw Hill Refrigeration, Circle F, and the GM plant in Ewing shut down, taking thousands of jobs with them. He's watched as employment opportunities dried up and poverty took hold.
But he's also seen what's possible. He knows Trenton has incredible potential—if we stop accepting failure and start demanding results. Economic development isn't about ribbon cuttings and press releases. It's about creating real opportunities for real people to earn a living and build a life in this city.
Let’s go from Trenton to Triumph!!!