The City of Trenton Friday received a grant award of $7 million through the Urban Investment Fund Grant Program to renovate two historic places — the Roebling Machine Shop and the Eagle Tavern — along South Broad Street in the city’s North Ward, supporting revitalization efforts and promoting increased foot traffic along a key commercial corridor in the state capital.
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan joined Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and city officials in making the announcement.
In celebrating the grant award, Gov. Phil Murphy referred to the challenges created by the pandemic that reduced foot traffic along the South Broad Street corridor, impacting small businesses and local entrepreneurs, and reducing revenue.
“The funding awarded to Trenton through the Urban Investment Fund will support efforts to revitalize the city’s South Broad Street corridor, increasing foot traffic and fostering long-term economic growth,” said Sullivan.
The grant award was announced today at a press conference at the Roebling Machine Shop. The City of Trenton will utilize half of the award – $3.5 million – to rehabilitate the building, preserving a critical part of the city’s history while establishing an economic engine along South Broad Street.
In addition, the city plans to partner with the Mercer County Improvement Authority to renovate the historic Eagle Tavern with the remaining $3.5 million in UIF funding. The project will remediate the commercial kitchen, improve access between the first and lower floors, and upgrade the HVAC system, among other changes, returning the historic building to commercial use.
Mayor W. Reed Gusciora described the grant as “transformative” and “marks an important moment in Trenton’s ongoing revitalization efforts. Reviving the Roebling Machine Shop and the Eagle Tavern is more than just improving buildings; it’s about creating opportunities, restoring pride, and building a stronger future for residents and businesses.”
The Roebling Machine Shop was built in 1890 and is the oldest intact structure at the 45-acre Roebling complex. The Eagle Tavern was built in 1765 as a private house. It is one of the city’s oldest structures.
