East Orange is working to revitalize the 'Teen Streets.'
EAST ORANGE -- In the Greenwood neighborhood of East Orange - a 0.16 square mile residential area bordering Newark off of I-280 - there are 255 vacant properties. A map of the neighborhood, commonly referred to by residents as the "Teen Streets," shows sporadic spotting of homes that have been abandoned, and left vacant for years.
The city estimates that only 50 to 60 percent of the properties in the 20-block neighborhood are occupied.
But, city officials say the fortune of the area is primed for a reversal, thanks to a partnership with development corporation La Casa de Don Pedro, which broke ground this month on four new affordable townhomes.
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"Our goal is to restore and preserve the neighborhood, Valerie Jackson, East Orange's Director of Policy, Planning and Development, said in a phone interview.
"We are partnering with nonprofits, and with private developers...it's the opportunity to turn a whole neighborhood around. We are excited about it."
Don Pedro and city officials gathered at the corner of Eaton Place and 15th Street on Dec. 16 to break ground on the $1.4 million project. Though officials have not released what the exact cost of the homes will be, they said the new development will combine with other home-buying programs in the city to promote sales to first-time homebuyers.
The city, for example, will offer grants of up to $25,000 to income-qualifying buyers. The longstanding city program awards about 50 grants each year, officials said.
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"The affordable single family homes will have three bedrooms and (two-and-a-half) baths with an attached garage," said Alle Ries, Community Economic Development Director at La Casa de Don Pedro.
"We pride ourselves on building affordable homes with high quality, durable finishes that are perfect for first time homeowners who want a comfortable home that fits the family budget."
East Orange is also working to finish a 'Neighborhood Plan' charting out the development of the area, which it can then use to receive state funding and tax credits to continue revitalizing efforts, officials said. The hope, they said, is to mimic the projects carried out in the lower Broadway portion of Newark and ValleyArts district in Orange.
Mayor Lester Taylor said the initiative will increase the number of home owners in the city.
"Homeownership strengthens communities and builds wealth for our families," he said in a statement.
"I am excited to work with La Casa de Don Pedro to renew this area."
The redevelopment effort also builds on a clean-up program East Orange launched over the summer to remove blight from 700 abandoned properties across the city. The effort combined code-enforcement initiatives with the city claiming and redeveloping abandoned properties. Overall, officials said they hope to work with about 10 different developers on projects throughout East Orange.
"The perfect ending, for me, would be to have 95 percent of these homes occupied by families," Jackson said of the Teen Streets. "We want it to be a vibrant neighborhood with kids (playing outside) and plenty of activity."
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.