Moorestown's Lenola Section To Benefit From Nearly $1 Million State Grant

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown has been approved to receive a grant for nearly $1 million from the state to overhaul the Lenola Town Center’s Camden Avenue corridor, township officials announced last week. The $971,520 grant is funded by the New Jersey Department of Transportation’s share of the federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). It was approved based on a comprehensive application crafted by Taylor Design Group and approved by Town Council.

The Lenola Ad Hoc Committee plans on holding a town hall meeting in the near future to discuss plan options with residents and get feedback before the final designs are rendered.

“For decades, the revitalization of the Lenola Town Center has been discussed, reviewed, and studied. But time and time again, nothing ever changed,” Moorestown Mayor Manny Delgado said. “Today, we are proud to announce that through the tireless efforts and advocacy of the Lenola Ad Hoc Committee, the Lenola Advisory Commission, the Town Council, and our professionals, we have secured grant dollars to finally begin the process of Lenola’s rebirth.”

The Ad Hoc Committee included feedback from Lenola residents, including proposals for trees along Camden Avenue, the addition of bike lanes, new sidewalks and crosswalks, and improved landscaping, among other items.

“This effort, this victory, belongs to every single person in Lenola who never gave up hope and every Moorestown resident who knew we could do better for the west end of town,” Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano said. “It belongs to those who call Lenola their home, whether they've lived in town for generations or, like me, chose it as the place to start their Moorestown story. It's been a long journey, but I'm ecstatic that because of the hard work of so many people, we've finally reached a point where we can turn the page on the past and begin a new chapter for Lenola.”

“I am thrilled with the news about the TAP grant, and it was no doubt a work of many hands,” said Jamie Boren, who helped form the Lenola Advisory Commission with Napolitano in 2013. “This is my home. Lenola is where I grew up, where I chose to raise my kids, and I plan on staying here for the long haul. With positive steps like this being taken, I think many others will choose to live, work, and stay right here in Lenola. It’s fantastic.”

Lenola residents Patty Atkinson, Tom DiPaolo, Debbie Hess, John Logue, and Matt Orsini were also part of the group.

The commission’s goal was to analyze and address the issues facing Lenola, which many people didn’t even realize was a part of Moorestown. The differences were startling when one walked down Camden Avenue. The Lenola section of the township is marked by cracked sidewalks and old, often rundown buildings.

Two years later, Moorestown Council created the Lenola Ad Hoc Committee to address the commission’s findings. Its role was to work with the county and state to find solutions.

Public members include Boren, David Hess of Browning-Hess Farm and 2015 Citizen of the Year Milt McFalls. Napolitano Delgado were selected by their colleagues to represent Council on the Committee, and the Township Manager and Director of Community Development rounded out the roster.

State Sen. Diane Allen (R-7) and Burlington County Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio were among those who wrote letters in support of the grant application.

“Receiving this TAP grant is a huge step forward for the redevelopment of the Lenola section of our town,” said Moorestown Councilman Mike Locatell, a business owner in the Lenola section for the last 22 years. “I’ve been an advocate for decisive action that will lead the west end of town down a better path. My wife, Lynn, is a fourth generation resident of Moorestown who grew up in Lenola and said she can not remember anywhere near this level of financial investment in Lenola. This money will be used to revamp the Camden Avenue gateway into Moorestown, leading to a long overdue focus on revitalization in Lenola. I am truly proud to be a part of the Town Council that is getting it done.”

“This is just one piece of a larger plan,” Delgado said. “From here, Town Council will need to decide what additional investments should be made, what changes need to be made in our zoning and planning rules for the west end, and what our larger vision is for Lenola in the coming years. I encourage all residents to get involved and offer their feedback as we take these next steps in moving Moorestown forward.”

CORRECTION: This post previously stated that the grant was for $917,520. It is actually for $971,520.

Patch file photo