Caren Franzini, former CEO of the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and one of the founders of Greater Trenton
Join us on December 4, 2023 at 5 p.m. as we come together for an evening of cocktails and conversations to reflect on Trenton’s past, reimagine its future, and make connections with some of the most influential leaders impacting the Capital City.
The celebration honors Caren Franzini, former NJEDA CEO and one of the founders of Greater Trenton, by presenting the Caren Franzini Capital City Award to John Hatch, Principal at Clarke Caton Hintz, and David Henderson, Principal at Hx2 Development.
For information on how you can join the effort to memorialize Caren’s extraordinary leadership while helping Greater Trenton reboot, refresh, and reinvigorate our Capital City, please reach out to Bryan Evans at bevans@greatertrenton.org or call 609-473-2837 x102.
John D. S. Hatch, FAIA, LEED AP; Principal, Clarke Caton Hintz | David Henderson, Principal, Hx2 Development
Two long-time Trenton residents, David Henderson and John Hatch, have been involved in Trenton’s economic development and creative arts scene for decades. Henderson and his husband, John Hatch, have focused on both emerging and established artists while working to preserve the history and culture of this vibrant community. As they say, “…when the arts thrive, cities thrive.”
As Principal of Hx2 Development, Trenton’s preeminent commercial developer, David has spent many years perfecting the art of getting projects done in Trenton. Over the years, the principals have acquired a deep understanding of the Trenton micro-market and established trust-based relationships with the community and key decision-makers.
Building sustainable and vibrant communities is the passion that drives David Henderson’s real estate development career and informs the design of his projects. Roebling Center, a 385,000 SF mixed-use development in Trenton, comprises residential lofts, office, pharma lab/manufacturing, and restaurant/hospitality, all arrayed around a central courtyard programmed with arts and festival events. The first phase of Roebling Center, Roebling Lofts, opened in 2017 and has become a diverse, vibrant residential community, followed by Building 110 in 2022, configured to provide post-pandemic, re-thought office space.
Previous projects include the conversion of the Adam Exton Cracker Factory into residential lofts, the adaptive re-use of commercial buildings opposite Cure Insurance Arena into the Trenton Makes Arts Center, and the restoration of 37 residential units in the Mill Hill and Trenton Ferry Historic Districts. Before real estate development, David specialized in urban K-12 school facility development and design, working extensively in several school districts, including Bridgeton and Elizabeth, NJ. David is a Registered Architect in NJ, NY, and PA.
David received a Master of Architecture from the University of Virginia, including a semester abroad in Venice, where he explored the workings of the pre-industrial, i.e., pre-auto, city. David received a Bachelor of Arts in Design of the Environment from the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to his development work, David is a member of the Newtown Friends School Committee, Treasurer of Newtown Friends School, Clerk of the Newtown Friends School Buildings Grounds & Technology Committee, member of the George School Physical Plant Committee, and member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Vestry. David and John are founding members of the Trenton Arts Fund, which provides grants to support Trenton-based arts, culture, and history organizations. David is a past Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary of the Trenton Downtown Association, where he served on the Board for 18 years, and a past President of the Trenton Film Society and the Old Mill Hill Society.
John Hatch partners with Clarke Caton Hintz, a Trenton-based Architecture and Planning firm, and with HX2 Development, a company that focuses on redevelopment projects in Trenton. In his 35 years with CCH, John has managed the design of an array of architecturally significant buildings across the state and region. In Trenton, these projects range from the Roebling Mansion at 222 West State Street to Pruitt Hall for Thomas Edison State University. His work with Hx2 Development includes Roebling Lofts, Roebling Center, and Princeton Hydro’s new headquarters. All of John’s projects address issues of context, civic life, social justice, and sustainability. He has won numerous design and historic preservation awards, and in 2014, he became a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
In addition to his design work, John has written and lectured about historic preservation, sustainability, structural racism, and urban redevelopment. John received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University, a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Virginia, and a Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania. John is currently president of the board of the Capital Philharmonic of NJ, and he serves on the boards of the Trenton Historical Society and the Potteries of Trenton Society. In his 35 years living and working in Trenton, he has also served on the boards of the Old Mill Hill Society (including several years as president), the William Trent House, Passage Theatre (34 years on the board, twice as president) and the Princeton Area Community Foundation; and served for 34 years on the Trenton Landmarks Commission, including as Chair. Several years ago, he and his husband, David Henderson, created the Trenton Arts Fund, which provides grants to support Trenton-based arts, culture, and history organizations.
John, along with David and two other partners (Mike and Debbie Raab), founded Atlantis Historic Properties, which restored 19 houses and the former Labor Lyceum in their neighborhood of Mill Hill; Trenton Makes (with David and Roland Pott), which redeveloped historic commercial buildings on South Broad Street (now Trenton Social and the other adjacent buildings); and HHG Development (with David and Michael Goldstein), which redeveloped the Adam Exton and Sons Cracker Factory and other historic properties in South Trenton. David and John are working on the next phases of the Roebling Center in the Wirerope District.
Jacqueline E. Baptiste, African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Elijah Dixon, Equity By Design Bryan Evans, Greater Trenton Letícia Ferri, Bristol Myers Squibb John Goedecke, Citizens Reggie Hallett, 1911 SmokeHouse Duncan Harrison, Princeton University Pat Hartpence, NJM Insurance Group Jeannine Frisby LaRue, The Zita Group Shirley Michael, Greater Trenton Aquatia Owens, PNC Wealth Advisors John Rogers, NJM Insurance Group George Sowa, Greater Trenton Mike Van Wagner, Retired NJM Insurance Executive Andy Zalescik, Columbia Bank
Greater Trenton is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses private funding and a network of collaborative relationships to advance economic revitalization efforts in the state’s capital city. Formed in the fall of 2015, Greater Trenton’s key objectives include coordinating downtown economic development projects; providing one-stop support and information for investors interested in taking on new projects; reaching out to potential residential, commercial and/or retail investors and tenants; supporting and promoting existing downtown initiatives; engaging downtown stakeholders in a strategic economic development plan; and developing investment marketing strategies.
