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You've probably driven down Route 70 lately and noticed the skyline looks different. It is. Cherry Hill isn't just a suburb anymore; it’s basically the unofficial capital of South Jersey, and the latest news Cherry Hill NJ residents are tracking proves the township is hitting a massive pivot point. We aren’t just talking about a few new potholes or a school board meeting that ran too long. There is a fundamental shift happening in how this town functions, from the massive redevelopment of the Woodcrest Corporate Center to the way the local police are handling the surge in retail theft at the mall.
People think they know Cherry Hill. They think it's just the mall, some high-end car dealerships, and a lot of traffic. But if you’re actually living here, you know the reality is way more nuanced. It’s a mix of aging infrastructure meeting high-tech medical expansions. It’s also about the tension between preserving the "green" in Cherry Hill and the relentless demand for more luxury apartments that nobody seems to think we need, yet they keep filling up.
The Reality of the Cherry Hill Mall Economy
The mall is the heartbeat. It's also a headache. When people look for news Cherry Hill NJ, they’re often looking for what’s opening next to the Apple Store or if another big-box retailer is biting the dust. Honestly, the Cherry Hill Mall has defied the "death of the mall" narrative that’s haunted the rest of the country. While Moorestown Mall is trying to save itself by building apartments and a Cooper University Health Care hub, Cherry Hill is still leaning heavily into high-end retail and "eatertainment."
But there's a flip side. Local law enforcement, led by Chief Robert Kempf, has had to get aggressive. You’ve probably seen the increased patrols. Retail theft isn't just a nuisance here; it’s a coordinated effort that impacts the township's tax base. The police department has been vocal about using more technology—ALPRs (Automatic License Plate Readers)—to catch organized groups before they even hit the parking lot. It’s a constant cat-and-mouse game that defines the current news cycle in the 08003 and 08034 zip codes.
What’s Actually Happening with the Schools?
Let’s get real about the $363 million bond.
When voters approved that massive chunk of change a couple of years ago, it was a "finally" moment. Our schools were crumbling. Literally. Some buildings didn't have functioning HVAC systems during 90-degree weeks in September. Now, the news Cherry Hill NJ families are watching is the execution. It’s one thing to pass a bond; it’s another to manage the construction at dozens of sites simultaneously without losing your mind as a parent or a taxpayer.
The work at Cherry Hill High School East and West is the most visible, but the real impact is at the elementary level. We’re talking about basic human dignity upgrades—bathrooms that work, roofs that don't leak, and air conditioning that actually cools. The district has been trying to be transparent with their "Bond Central" dashboard, but let’s be honest: parents are mostly just tired of the detours and the temporary classroom setups.
- Construction is slated to continue through 2026 and 2027.
- Security vestibules are a top priority for every single building.
- Solar energy initiatives are being baked into the new roofing projects to offset long-term costs.
There’s a lot of skepticism, though. There always is in Jersey. People wonder if the money will actually cover the skyrocketing costs of materials. Inflation hit right as the first shovels went into the ground. It's a tightrope walk for the Board of Education.
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The Transformation of Woodcrest
If you haven't been over by the Woodcrest PATCO station recently, you’re missing the biggest land-use story in the township. For decades, that area was defined by sprawling, underutilized office parks. That’s dead. The new news Cherry Hill NJ real estate trend is "residential conversion."
The Woodcrest Corporate Center is being reimagined. We’re talking about hundreds of units of housing. Critics argue that Cherry Hill’s roads—especially Haddonfield-Berlin Road—can’t handle another 500 cars. Proponents say this is exactly what "smart growth" looks like: putting housing right next to the train line so people can commute to Philly without clogging up the Walt Whitman Bridge.
It's a classic Cherry Hill fight. You have the "Keep Cherry Hill Green" crowd vs. the "We Need a Tax Base" crowd. The reality is that the township needs the revenue. With commercial office space values cratering globally, Cherry Hill can't afford to let those massive parking lots sit empty and tax-depreciated.
Health Care is the New "Anchor Tenant"
Forget Macy's. The real anchors in Cherry Hill now are Jefferson, Cooper, and Virtua.
The expansion of the Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital on Chapel Avenue changed the game. It’s not just a community hospital anymore; it’s a regional powerhouse. This has created a secondary economy. All those medical professionals need places to eat lunch, they need dry cleaners, and they need housing.
This medical boom is why you see so many small office buildings along Route 70 being snapped up and renovated. It’s all specialty clinics. Physical therapy, imaging, oncology. If you're looking for a job in the news Cherry Hill NJ business sector, health care is basically the only game in town that’s guaranteed to grow over the next decade.
Traffic: The Eternal Struggle
We have to talk about the Route 70 "Gateway" project. It’s been years of orange cones and narrowed lanes. The NJDOT project, which covers about nine miles through Cherry Hill and Pennsauken, is supposed to finally fix the drainage issues that turn the road into a lake every time we get a summer thunderstorm.
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The work is grueling. It affects every business along the strip. Honestly, some of the smaller spots might not make it to the finish line because customers are just too frustrated to navigate the U-turns and the "Road Work Ahead" signs. But the long-term goal is a road that doesn't eat your tires and actually moves traffic efficiently toward the Ben Franklin Bridge.
What Nobody Tells You About the Local Government
Mayor Dave Fleisher took over the reins with a focus on "back to basics." What does that mean in actual news Cherry Hill NJ terms? It means a heavy emphasis on public safety and fiscal responsibility. The township is trying to balance a very high standard of living with a tax rate that makes people want to move to Florida.
One of the more interesting moves has been the push for more community-centric events. The Croft Farm concerts and the expansion of the trail systems are attempts to make Cherry Hill feel less like a collection of subdivisions and more like a cohesive town. It’s a tough sell when you’re bisected by major highways, but the effort is there.
Public Safety and the "Suburban Shift"
There's been a lot of chatter on Nextdoor and Facebook about crime. Is Cherry Hill getting less safe? The data says one thing; public perception says another.
While violent crime remains low compared to regional averages, property crime is the big one. Car thefts—especially "relay thefts" where hackers pick up the signal from your key fob inside your house—have spiked. The Cherry Hill Police Department has been hosting more community meetings to teach people basic "target hardening."
Basically: Lock your car. Don't leave the fob in it. It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many reports in the news Cherry Hill NJ blotter start with an unlocked BMW.
Environmental Hurdles and the "Green" Factor
Cherry Hill actually has a lot of open space, which surprises people who only see the commercial corridors. The Kingston Estates and Barclay Farm areas are quintessential suburban enclaves. But the township is facing a crisis with its trees. The emerald ash borer and other invasive species have decimated the canopy in places like Pennypacker Park.
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Replacing these trees isn't just about aesthetics. It's about stormwater management. In a town that's as paved over as Cherry Hill, every tree matters for soaking up runoff. The environmental board is working overtime to reforest parts of the town, but it's a slow process that requires a lot of volunteer hours and even more funding.
Actionable Steps for Cherry Hill Residents
If you live here or you're thinking of moving here, staying informed isn't just about reading the headlines. You need to be proactive.
Monitor the School Bond Progress
Don't just complain about the traffic near the high schools. Check the district's official construction schedule. Knowing when a specific wing of a school is closing can help you plan your commute and your child's extracurriculars. The "Bond Central" page on the CHPS website is actually updated fairly regularly.
Sign Up for Swift911 Alerts
This is the township’s primary way of telling you if a water main broke on Evesham Road or if there’s a police action in your neighborhood. In a town this busy, getting a text message about a road closure can save you 20 minutes of sitting in gridlock.
Engage with the Master Plan
Cherry Hill is currently re-evaluating parts of its Master Plan. This is the document that decides if a vacant lot becomes a park or a Wawa. If you care about the density of your neighborhood, you have to show up to the Planning Board meetings. Most of them are hybrid now, so you can join from your couch.
Support the Local Business Pivot
The businesses along the Route 70 construction zone are hurting. If you have the choice, try to patronize the shops that are hardest to get to right now. They’re the ones that will be gone by the time the road is finished if the community doesn't make an effort to get through the cones.
Protect Your Property
Given the rise in "convenience thefts," it’s time to invest in a Faraday box for your car keys and a basic doorbell camera. The news Cherry Hill NJ police reports show a clear pattern: thieves go for the easiest targets. If your car is locked and your keys are shielded, they move on to the next house.
Cherry Hill is in a period of intense evolution. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s expensive. But it remains the place where everyone in South Jersey eventually ends up—whether they're going to the doctor, the mall, or a Friday night football game. Staying on top of the news here isn't just a hobby; it’s a necessity for navigating life in the Garden State’s most active township.