![Trenton Prospect House]( "Trenton Prospect House") The state of New Jersey is known to have innovations for green planning and green communities. Trenton, its capital city is one of the places where this can be seen happening. As part of Trenton’s revitalization efforts, the Community Preservation Corporation opened Trenton Prospect House for people 55 and over. Retirees are beoming a major part of housing now and in the future as the largest generation ever is beginning to retire.
The new, 97,000-square-foot housing development will be constructed on a two-acre lot, which is the former site of a demolished warehouse. The five-story building will include one-bedroom apartments, all with full kitchens. There are going to be 110 units all together. Five of the homes will be for the blind or visually impaired, and 10 will be for recipients of mental health services.
Each unit has emergency pull-cords and other safety features for its senior residents. The development also includes a 1,000-square-foot community room with a laundry room and another kitchen. There are ample open space areas for residents, exceeding both city and state standards which are going to be gathering spaces so that reidents can enjoy a superior quality of life from interacting with others in their environment. Trenton Prospect House is the last in a multi-part project that includes a 57,000-square-foot shopping center across the street.
The Trenton Prospect House doesn’t just cater to the health of its residents, but it is also committed to green living. The design of Trenton Prospect House is based on LEED principles, and has many green features, including:
• Low flow toilets and showerheads
• Energy Star appliances and lighting fixtures
• Recycled materials used in construction
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified wood used for rough and finish carpentry
• Low-VOC paints, primers, sealants and adhesives
• CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) Green Label-certified carpet
• Energy Star bathroom exhaust fans
The community has a social conscience as well. Over half of the units are made for those below median income.
There are many amenitites making the community a very desirable place to live. The community is approximately 100 feet from two major thoroughfares, and 200 feet from a bus stop. A supermarket offering free delivery service, a beauty salon, and laundromat are across the street. Within just a few blocks are a senior services facility and three churches (two of which have senior programs). A hospital, a fire station and a police sub-station are all a half mile away from the development.
Trenton Prospect House, LLC, transformed a once vacant 10-acre site into a viable community that provides quality goods and services and housing opportunities. In 2007, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency awarded them with a Governor’s Excellence in Housing Awards award in the category of Community Revitalization.
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