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Ike Williams Foundation asks Trenton council to support takeover of vacant 450 Freeman Lane for youth boxing center
Summary
The Ike Williams Foundation presented a plan to acquire and redevelop 450 Freeman Lane into a youth boxing, mentoring and community center; presenters said they have program funding (about $150,000, including $65,000 from the state Attorney General's office), seek the building from the city but are not requesting renovation funds, and will return with cost estimates and formal HED review.
The Ike Williams Foundation asked the Trenton City Council to support its request to acquire 450 Freeman Lane and redevelop the vacant building into a youth boxing, mentoring and community development center.
Roxanne McElroy White, representing the nonprofit, told the council the group currently has program funding "over $150,000," including about $65,000 from the state Attorney General's Office, and expects to rely on philanthropy and capital campaigns for capital costs. She said the foundation was seeking the building itself from the city and was "not asking the city for money to do anything to the building," though an initial roof repair alone was estimated at more than $60,000.
Foundation representatives described program elements they would offer: age-appropriate boxing instruction and conditioning, life-skills and financial-literacy workshops, mentoring, workforce-readiness activities and family-engagement programming. Presenters said they already partner with law enforcement and other agencies for career exposure and that some program services are currently offered at 11 New Jersey Avenue.
Council members congratulated the group and pressed for missing details the HED ad hoc committee typically requires: a full budget and proof of funds, cost estimates from licensed contractors, contingency planning for renovation surprises, and confirmation of prior coordination with Housing & Economic Development staff. Foundation leaders said they had discussed the idea with HED and the mayor's office, but that this appearance was intended as an initial program introduction; they pledged to provide construction cost estimates and other due-diligence materials before the item would be put on a future docket for formal council consideration.
Ending: Council members asked the foundation to return with a full budget, contractor estimates and documentation of prior HED discussions so the matter can proceed through the HED subcommittee and then, if appropriate, a council vote.
