The Arcadian Gardens, aka "Lil City" was built in 1969, 42 years ago; and in February 2004, the Housing Authority of the City of East Orange decided to start the demolition of Arcadian Gardens. The City of East Orange said, "As part of its established goal to remove obsolete, nonviable public housing from it's housing portfolio and replace it with appropriately-designed, quality housing". So far there hasn't been any redeveloping on the grounds where the short brown and beige buildings once stood, which housed mostly single parent women raising their children.
Despite what one may think, Arcadian Gardens was once a safe place to live from the beginning to the mid to late 80's. When the neighborhood children with-in Arcadian Gardens would disagree, or even have a rumble with one another, it never got to the point where weapons of any kind were used, and with-in the very next day or two the beefs would be resolved; nevertheless the kids would make up, continue to play together, and all would be forgotten.
Lil City's structure was merely a square, and in the middle of that square is where the residents would go for fun. There were two play grounds, two small swimming pools, a recreation center where you had a daycare, and a summer camp.
While it is not clear who or why Arcadian Gardens was given the nick name of "Lil City", there have been many stories concerning these two issues; however, one thing remains true, "Lil City" is the original and official "nick name" of Arcadian Gardens. It has been rumored that one of the many reasons why it was given the nick name "Lil City" is because directly across the street was a strip mall called, "Sussex Mall" and thus the residents of Arcadian Gardens did not need to go far from their homes to shop for anything. In the earlier day's the strip mall consisted of several small businesses such as, FoodTown, a record Store, a drug store, a shoe store, an ice cream polar, a bakery, a pizzeria, a laundry mat, a cleaner's, and an arcade, and many other small business that were once well utilized by the residents of Arcadian Gardens. So the 9 acres that once stood the small brown and beige buildings was that of a city with-in the city of East orange, New Jersey.
Since the mid 80's, Arcadian Gardens has gotten a bad rap and has been looked down on. Just as any other place in the world, Arcadian Gardens is the home of many successful people whom are college graduates, abiding hard working citizens who have now become home owners and small business owners etc...
Arcadian "Lil City" Gardens had such a good reputation back in the day that people who lived in the surrounding cities would come there to just hang out and have fun. We even had celebrities come through as well, such as, Muhammad Ali, Naughty by Nature, and the list goes on. It was alleged that former basketball player, Tate George, was to buy the property and build affordable housing; unfortunately, some undisclosed illegal matters prevented this from happening.
Despite what one may think, Arcadian Gardens was once a safe place to live from the beginning to the mid to late 80's. When the neighborhood children with-in Arcadian Gardens would disagree, or even have a rumble with one another, it never got to the point where weapons of any kind were used, and with-in the very next day or two the beefs would be resolved; nevertheless the kids would make up, continue to play together, and all would be forgotten.
Lil City's structure was merely a square, and in the middle of that square is where the residents would go for fun. There were two play grounds, two small swimming pools, a recreation center where you had a daycare, and a summer camp.
While it is not clear who or why Arcadian Gardens was given the nick name of "Lil City", there have been many stories concerning these two issues; however, one thing remains true, "Lil City" is the original and official "nick name" of Arcadian Gardens. It has been rumored that one of the many reasons why it was given the nick name "Lil City" is because directly across the street was a strip mall called, "Sussex Mall" and thus the residents of Arcadian Gardens did not need to go far from their homes to shop for anything. In the earlier day's the strip mall consisted of several small businesses such as, FoodTown, a record Store, a drug store, a shoe store, an ice cream polar, a bakery, a pizzeria, a laundry mat, a cleaner's, and an arcade, and many other small business that were once well utilized by the residents of Arcadian Gardens. So the 9 acres that once stood the small brown and beige buildings was that of a city with-in the city of East orange, New Jersey.
Since the mid 80's, Arcadian Gardens has gotten a bad rap and has been looked down on. Just as any other place in the world, Arcadian Gardens is the home of many successful people whom are college graduates, abiding hard working citizens who have now become home owners and small business owners etc...
Arcadian "Lil City" Gardens had such a good reputation back in the day that people who lived in the surrounding cities would come there to just hang out and have fun. We even had celebrities come through as well, such as, Muhammad Ali, Naughty by Nature, and the list goes on. It was alleged that former basketball player, Tate George, was to buy the property and build affordable housing; unfortunately, some undisclosed illegal matters prevented this from happening.