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Decade Long NJ Neighborhood Revitalization Fight Ends

By Justin Udo

MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. (CBS) --- Mount Holly Township in New Jersey was prepared to go to the Supreme Court over a revitalization project in one of its neighborhoods.

On Wednesday night, that fight came to an end when the neighborhood and the township reached an agreement.

Residents from Mount Holly Gardens waged a legal battle for ten years with the township over a plan to tear down homes and redevelop the area.

"This is basically what the plaintiffs have always been requesting," said Olga Pomar of South Jersey Legal Services. "They don't want the community redeveloped and them not to be allowed to be a part of it. They want to be able to stay in this community once it is revitalized."

Pomar says once the 44 new homes are constructed, 20 of them will go to current Mount Holly Gardens residents.

Several other households will be relocated.

"We finally were able to meet with council attorneys who were interested in and engaged in working on a solution," said Pomar.

Residents say they are more than happy with that solution.

"It's a good day," said a community member. "People are able to start a different type of dream."

Lawyers for the township say they will now file to have this case dismissed from all courts.

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