How The Naming Challenge Works
A Community-Led Process
The Third Battle Community Naming Challenge is a citywide initiative inviting residents to help define the identity of Trenton's next community destination.
Located at the Mayor Donnelly Homes and former Trenton Junior High School No. 1 sites, this destination will become a new place for housing, community gathering, culture, opportunity, and connection.
Rather than assigning a name internally, the Trenton Housing Authority (THA), in partnership with The Boulevard Collective (BLVD), is inviting the community to participate in selecting a name that reflects the stories, values, history, and aspirations of Trenton.
The goal is simple:
To ensure that the identity of this destination is shaped with the community, not assigned to it.
What Are you Naming?
Participants are helping select a public-facing name for the new community destination emerging around the Mayor Donnelly Homes and former Trenton Junior High School No. 1 sites.
This challenge is focused on creating an identity for the destination itself.
The selected name may be used in future storytelling, community programming, marketing, signage, events, and other public-facing initiatives associated with the destination.
This initiative is not changing neighborhood boundaries, street names, addresses, or official municipal designations.
The Challenge Process
The challenge is organized into four phases.
Phase 1: Community Submissions
July 10 – August 26
Residents are invited to submit:
- A proposed destination name
- The story or meaning behind the name
- Their connection to Trenton or the surrounding community
Strong submissions often draw inspiration from:
- Local history
- Community identity
- Cultural traditions
- Geography and landmarks
- Shared values
- Aspirations for the future
All submissions must be original and comply with the official rules and guidelines.
The individual who submits the winning name will receive a $5,000 cash award and public recognition.
Phase 2: Review & Finalist Selection
After submissions close, entries will be reviewed through a structured evaluation process.
A review committee made up of project stakeholders and community representatives will evaluate submissions based on factors such as:
- Cultural relevance
- Historical connection
- Alignment with the vision of the destination
- Clarity and memorability
- Long-term suitability
The committee will select a group of finalist names to advance to the public voting stage.
Selection as a finalist does not guarantee victory. Finalists must still earn support from the community.
Phase 3: Finalist Campaigning & Community Voting
September 1 - 30
Once finalists are announced, the challenge moves into a public voting period.
Unlike a traditional contest where names simply appear on a ballot, finalists will be encouraged to actively campaign for their submission.
This phase gives finalists an opportunity to share the inspiration behind their name, explain why they believe it best represents the destination, and encourage residents to support their vision.
Finalists may:
- Share their story on social media
- Encourage friends, family, and neighbors to vote
- Participate in community conversations
- Promote their name through personal networks
Campaigning helps create dialogue, build awareness, and encourage broader participation throughout Trenton.
The community will then vote on the finalist names through an online voting platform.
Voting is free and open to the public. Additional voting guidelines will be published before voting begins.
Phase 4: Final Ratification & Announcement
Early October
At the conclusion of the voting period, results will be reviewed by the Trenton Housing Authority.
Once finalized, the winning name will be publicly announced and the individual who submitted the winning entry will receive:
- A $5,000 cash award
- Public recognition
- Recognition as the contributor of the selected destination name
The winning name will become part of the ongoing identity and story of Trenton's next community destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Third Battle Community Naming Challenge?
The Third Battle Community Naming Challenge is a citywide opportunity for Trenton residents and community members to help name Trenton’s next community destination.
The destination is emerging around the Mayor Donnelly Homes and former Trenton Junior High School No. 1 sites as part of the North Trenton/Battle Monument Choice Neighborhood Plan.What are we naming?
You are helping name a new public-facing community destination that will include housing, public spaces, community amenities, and new opportunities for gathering, culture, and connection.
This is about naming the future destination — not renaming an existing neighborhood.Is this renaming the North Trenton neighborhood?
No.
The Challenge is not renaming North Trenton, changing neighborhood boundaries, changing street names, changing addresses, or creating a new official municipal designation.
This is focused on naming a new community destination connected to the Mayor Donnelly Homes and former Trenton Junior High School No. 1 sites.Who can submit a name?
Anyone ages 18 and over with a meaningful connection to North Trenton can participate.
This includes residents, former residents, students, workers, business owners, faith community members, community organization members, and others with a connection to the area.How many names can I submit?
Each person may submit one name idea.
If the same or substantially similar name is submitted by multiple people, the earliest complete and eligible submission may be recognized for finalist or prize purposes.What makes a strong name?
A strong name should feel connected to Trenton and reflect the spirit, history, culture, future, and community pride of the destination.
The strongest submissions will usually be clear, memorable, meaningful, original, and connected to the stories or values of the community.What happens after I submit a name?
After submissions close, eligible names will be reviewed and a group of finalists will be selected.
Finalist names will be shared publicly for community voting. Finalists may also be encouraged to share the story behind their name and invite others to vote.Will the community get to vote?
Yes.
The community will have an opportunity to vote on the finalist names. Public voting will help identify the community’s preferred name.
The Trenton Housing Authority will retain final approval and ratification authority before the selected name is finalized.What does the winner receive?
The person who submits the winning name will receive a $5,000 cash award.
The winner may be required to complete eligibility, release, and tax-related paperwork before the prize is issued. If the winner is under 18, the prize may be issued to their parent or legal guardian on their behalf.Where can I learn more about the North Trenton/Battle Monument Choice Neighborhood Plan?
You can learn more about the broader North Trenton/Battle Monument Choice Neighborhood Plan through the Trenton Housing Authority website:
Learn more about the Choice Neighborhoods Planning Initiative
Ready to submit a name?
Submit A Name
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