Menendez, others tout boost to cleanup of Camden site

Camden and state officials said Monday that they hoped an infusion of federal funds for environmental cleanup would begin the transformation of the abandoned former Camden Laboratories site into housing, businesses, and other development.

Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd was joined by Rep. Donald Norcross (D., N.J.) and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D., N.J.) in making the announcement at the Davis Street site.

Last week, the city received $200,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency to use toward the revitalization of the Mount Ephraim Avenue corridor. The Camden Redevelopment Agency will develop a plan for the site, across from Brimm Medical Arts High School, and Redd said additional funding will come from other state and federal agencies.

Depending on the extent of ground contamination, Menendez said, it could take five to 10 years for the project to be complete.

"It will be costly, and it will be time-consuming, but it can be done," he said.

Menendez declined to comment on recent reports that federal authorities are planning to indict him for corruption.

"I've said several times that I've always acted totally legally in everything I've done in my public life," he said. "Beyond that, I don't have much to say."