Cooper University Hospital is proud to announce that it has been selected to receive a 2008 Smart Growth Award from New Jersey Future. This award recognizes the positive impact that Cooper’s expansion and vision plan has made on Camden’s revitalization effort.
Five years ago, the City of Camden was in a spiral of deterioration that few thought could be reversed. To jump-start the city’s revitalization, six of Camden’s institutions of higher education and health care anchors developed a plan for expansion and investment. Today, that plan has surpassed all expectations and Cooper has taken the lead in developing a strategic plan that not only includes its own new $222 million patient care pavilion but also the development of a comprehensive $500 million Health Sciences Campus.
“Our Vision Area is comprised of nearly 30 square blocks in Camden City,” said George E. Norcross, III, Chairman of the Cooper Board of Trustees. “This immense revitalization effort combines the efforts of Cooper University Hospital, city, county and state agencies, neighborhood partnerships, foundations and non-profit and private sector developers. What is happening in downtown Camden today is nothing short of phenomenal.”
The development of the Health Sciences campus will include:
- Cooper’s $222 million patient care pavilion to open this fall
- $33 million Camden County Parking Garage facility with retail space (completed Fall 2007)
- New medical office building
- An $80 million Cooper Cancer Institute building
- A $136 million Robert Wood Johnson Medical School/UMDNJ expansion,
- A new biomedical research facility
- Three urban parks that are being redesigned and cared for by Cooper for 20 years
- Revitalization of the historic Cooper Plaza residential neighborhood including six homes sold for under-market value to bring residential use to Benson Street
- Rebuilding the Broadway retail district and
- Improving connections to The Rand Transportation Center.
“One block at a time we are truly making incredible strides in revitalizing this city,” said John P. Sheridan, Jr., President and CEO at Cooper. “We are proud of our progress and the community we share this growth with. We hope, with collaboration from all of our local, county and state organizations, to make Camden a model for health and science in the academic world.”
The New Jersey Future Smart Growth Awards honor projects and plans—approved or built—that reflect the most forward-looking development and redevelopment practices in New Jersey. Award-winners are chosen by an independent jury of respected professionals.
New Jersey Future is a statewide research, policy and education group that advocates for sustainable growth, environmental preservation, neighborhood revitalization and transportation choice. New Jersey Future is nonpartisan and nonprofit and a leading voice for promoting smart growth in New Jersey.