Forbes Lists Borough in Top 10 Most Transformed Neighborhoods

Forbes Magazine pronounced Collingswood among the nation's "most transformed neighborhoods" Friday afternoon.

The borough fell into line with neighborhoods such as Lower Manhattan, NY; the LoDo District of Denver, CO; and Charles Village in Baltimore, MD. 

Forbes worked with the American Planning Association (APA) to identify the nation's top 10 neighborhoods. 

"Ideally to have a successful revitalization, you need a little government money as seed money that can be leveraged and compounded to attract private investments,” says APA Spokesperson Dennis Johnson. “It’s not that government is paying the full bill, it’s more that government is injecting its vote of confidence to bring in private capital."

The magazine cites Collingswood as having begun revitalization tactics in the 1990s.

According to Forbes, the top 10 neighborhoods have successfully enacted revitalizations using seed money, and buy-ins from both nonprofit organizations and residents. 

"Many neighborhoods have their ups and downs, and communities are not immune to major changes," says Johnson in Forbes. "A lot of what we’ve observed in neighborhoods that have weathered those changes is the commitment of local residents and citizens that say ‘hey, we have something here that is unique, valuable, and worth saving."

According to Collingswood Borough Mayor James Maley, making Forbes' list is a significant bit of recognition.

"While we all prepare for Hhurricane) Irene to come visit, (there is) some sunshine to offer," said Maley Friday afternoon, of being named among America's Top 10 Most Transformed Neighborhoods. "That's right—(out of all neighborhoods) in the United States of America. Not many (other) lists we make with Lower Manhattan."

Read the Forbes' story and see photos of Collingswood and other top 10 neighborhoods.