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By LUIS PUGA
Courier-Post Staff
CAMDEN

Amid thank yous and applause, Gov. James E. McGreevey on Tuesday designated the redeveloper for the $1.2 billion Cramer Hill project that officials said would transform one of the nation's poorest cities.

McGreevey opened his comments with a passage from the Bible.

"And Jesus said to them, have you never read in the Scriptures: `The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?'
" he said.

For the crowd of city and state leaders who packed the council chambers Wednesday morning, the event was an introduction to Cherokee Investment Partners of Raleigh, N.C.

In what promises to be the city's largest private redevelopment project, Cherokee will spearhead 5,000 new homes, an 18-hole golf course on the former Harrison Avenue landfill, 500,000 square feet of retail space, and more.

McGreevey touted the projected gains, including 1,570 permanent jobs, 5,500 construction and development jobs, and, when finished in a decade, $20 million in new tax revenues for the city.

The massive project would need an estimated $110 million to $125 million of public investment, according to Thomas Darden, Cherokee's CEO. Most of that investment would go into building a bridge connecting Admiral Wilson Boulevard to Cramer Hill.

What played a major part in bringing the company to Camden was the Municipal Reinvestment Act, which gave the city $175 million in state funds, Darden said.

"We look for a community that wants us," he said. "We wouldn't be here if not for the commitment of the state, the community, and the upward momentum we see in Camden."

McGreevey said Cherokee's arrival brings the American Dream to Camden.

"We had a vision of a city on a hill where children would be educated and there would be economic opportunities and jobs . . . Let's achieve it."

Mayor Gwendolyn Faison led the crowd in a cheer and response of "Did we do it? Yeah!"

State Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez, D-Camden, said Wednesday's announcement was her Christmas present.

Darden, however, did not commit to a timeline, noting the creation of a redevelopment plan and permits for the project. He estimated 12 months before a shovel would break ground.

Asked where the public funds would come from, Arijit De, executive director of then Camden Redevelopment Agency, cited a combination of federal and state transportation funds and municipal funds for infrastructure.

Creating a redevelopment plan could take up to four to six months, De said. The public would get a chance to be heard at council and zoning board meetings, he said.

An estimated 700 families would be relocated, mostly from the Ablett Village Apartments and The Centenial Village Apartment complexes.

City Council President Angel Fuentes said Cramer Hill residents deserved to reap the project's benefits.

He spoke of the flight of city residents throughout his childhood because of deteriorating conditions in the neighborhoods.

"Those left behind had the wherewithal to (stick) it out with their families and continue to reside to this day in Cramer Hill," he said. "Those residents are to be respected and commended."

Camden residents must get first pick and be allowed to join unions for construction jobs, Councilman Ali Sloan El said.

Darden said low-income residents would get preference for these jobs, followed by city residents.

Contractors would need to recruit 30 percent of their new hires from the city, he said.

In the past, the city had virtually given away land to attract developers, De said.

That won't happen this time around. "Land is the only asset the city has," he said. The land will be sold after appraisals are completed, De said.

As of now, only the golf course's location is certain, as well as the demolition of the two apartment complexes.

Superintendent Annette Knox said the school district is waiting to see the plans as well to see how it will affect its plans to rebuild George Washington and Octavious V. Catto schools.

With the promise of economic rebirth now in the neighborhoods, leaders said the city's revitalization is pulling together.

However, some remained skeptical, noting projects that never got off the ground.

"I've seen this show before," said Mangaliso Davis, a community organizer and chairman of the African American Advisory Committee. "There are three things I ask now: What are you going to do to the people? What are you going to do for the people? And, how do they get a part of it?"

State Sen. Wayne Bryant, D-Lawnside, however, called Wednesday the best day of his life.

"The day brought rain," he said. "But, I think of rain as something that can wash the sins away."