The City of Trenton has launched a $2.25 million renovation of the South Ward Senior Center on South Broad Street.
The project will restore the historic building and reopen it as a gathering place for neighborhood seniors.
City officials announced the rehabilitation of the center at 870 South Broad St., which will be funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and Community Development Block Grant programs.
The project includes $981,283 in ARPA funding provided by Mercer County and $1,268,717 from the city’s CDBG program.
“Reopening a senior center in the South Ward was a commitment we made, and today we’re delivering on it,” Mayor W. Reed Gusciora said.
“This space will give seniors a place to connect, stay active, and enjoy being part of the community again. I’m grateful to Mercer County and our local partners for helping make this long-awaited project a reality,” Gusciora said.
Mercer County Executive Dan Benson said the county is proud to support the project.
“Mercer County is proud to partner with the City of Trenton to restore and reopen the South Ward Senior Center,” Benson said.
“With nearly $1 million in American Rescue Plan funding alongside the City’s CDBG investment, we’re investing in a modern, welcoming space where seniors in this neighborhood can gather, stay active, and remain connected to their community.
At the same time, this project is part of a broader effort with the City to revitalize the South Broad Street corridor and strengthen the future of Chambersburg and the Capital City as a whole,” Benson said.
The building dates to 1875 and was originally constructed as Chambersburg Borough Hall. After Chambersburg was annexed into Trenton in 1888, the structure later served as the city’s Second District police station.
The building is recognized as an example of Classical Revival-style municipal architecture and has been determined eligible for listing on both the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places.
Renovation work will focus primarily on interior improvements to the ground floor and basement.
Planned upgrades include improved lighting, new mechanical systems, renovated restrooms, replacement of flooring and interior finishes, and improvements to kitchen facilities.
Health and Human Services Director Dr. Diego Minacapelli said the center will help provide important services for older residents.
“Spaces like the South Ward Senior Center are incredibly important for our seniors,” Minacapelli said.
“They provide opportunities for connection, recreation, and access to services that help stay engaged in the community. We are proud to partner with Mercer County to ensure this historic building once again serves as a welcoming gathering place for residents,” Minacapelli said.
Council President Jenna Figueroa Kettenburg said the groundbreaking marks the culmination of years of advocacy to reopen the center after it had been closed for more than a decade.
“Today marks a long-awaited milestone for the City of Trenton as we broke ground on the South Ward Senior Center,” Figueroa Kettenburg said.
“This reopening is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of Trenton, Mercer County, and our state and federal partners. As Council President and South Ward councilwoman, I am thrilled to see this vital resource for our seniors come back to life,” Figueroa Kettenburg said.
Councilwoman At-Large Crystal Feliciano said the project demonstrates the impact of partnerships between local officials and community advocates.
“This is the type of work that makes our jobs worthwhile when we can come together and work with others for the betterment of the people,” Feliciano said.
“I look forward to seeing this project come to life and thank all the partners, advocates, and community members who helped make this long-awaited investment possible for the South Ward and the City of Trenton,” Feliciano said.
City officials said the renovated center will include updated gathering spaces, improved accessibility and modern building systems designed to support a wide range of programs and services for seniors in the South Ward and surrounding neighborhoods.
The city plans to open the renovated South Ward Senior Center to the public in winter 2026.
The Trenton South Ward senior center.,
