Background and Existing Conditions
The southern portion of the 600 block of Chestnut Street in the Bergen Square neighborhood has experienced severe environmental degradation for many years. For much of the past decade, nearly an entire city block was buried under illegally dumped contaminated soil and construction debris. At its peak, dumping activity created piles reaching heights of up to 45 feet, posing significant environmental, health, and quality-of-life concerns for nearby residents.
Beginning in 2022, the City of Camden in partnership with the Camden Redevelopment Agency (CRA) undertook a multi-phase cleanup effort to address these conditions. Through three phases of remediation, the CRA removed nearly 60,000 tons of contaminated soil and more than 10,000 tons of construction debris. Today, the approximately 1.69-acre site has been cleared and is covered with gravel. While environmental assessment and cleanup activities continue, the City and CRA are now moving forward with plans to redevelop the site into a use that serves the Bergen Square community. More details about the cleanup work can be found at here.
Redevelopment Area Study Findings
Study Authorization and Scope
In October 2025, the Camden City Council directed the Planning Board to evaluate whether the Yaffa site and surrounding properties meet the statutory criteria for designation as an Area in Need of Redevelopment under New Jersey law. The CRA retained Brownfield Redevelopment Solutions, Inc. (BRS) to conduct the Redevelopment Area Study. The Study examined parcels comprising the full city block, which is bounded by Chestnut Street, 7th Street, Sycamore Avenue, and 6th Street.
Key Challenges Identified
The study identified several conditions that continue to affect redevelopment potential:
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Environmental Contamination
Although the large soil piles created by illegal dumping have been removed, contamination remains in subsurface soils on the portion of the study area formerly occupied by Yaffa & Sons. Environmental testing has identified heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) below ground. Site assessment activities are ongoing. This portion of the study area is listed on the State of New Jersey’s Known Contaminated Sites List and requires additional remediation before redevelopment can proceed.
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Long-Term Community Impacts
Years of illegal dumping and environmental neglect created pollution and safety concerns that negatively affected the surrounding neighborhood. These conditions contributed to reduced quality of life for residents, depressed nearby property values, discouraged private investment, and fostered a perception of long-term disinvestment and neglect in the area.
[Link to Redevelopment Area Study]
Next Steps: Redevelopment Plan
With the Redevelopment Area Study completed, the City will prepare a Redevelopment Plan for the Yaffa Site. The plan will establish the vision, land use framework, and development standards for redevelopment of the full city block.
Public Review and Adoption Schedule
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February 2026: Planning Board review of the draft Redevelopment Plan
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February 2026: Planning Board public hearing on the plan
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March–April 2026: City Council first and second readings for adoption of the final plan
All Planning Board and City Council meetings are open to the public. Residents and community stakeholders are encouraged to attend and provide input throughout the redevelopment planning process.
[Link to meeting documents.]