These troubled cities know what the source of the trouble is - and they know they have no future unless it is addressed. Newark NJ rails against companies leaving NYC to settle in Jersey City (which certainly has gentrified over the past decades), but the fact is Jersey City’s (white) mayor was elected by an assortment of ethnic groups to create a healthy environment - while Newark’s ‘hoodrat mayor was elected by ‘hoodrats to transfer assorted ethnic groups’ incomes from around the state and country into their pockets.
Asbury Park’s “revival” years ago stopped dead when potential backers realized the gentrification only extended a couple of blocks; the ferals would still be within a few minutes’ walk from their intended victims.
You’ve gotta get over that bias against AP. Its gentrified section is a hell of a lot more than “a couple of blocks.” It’s the entire east side divided by Route 35. It’s like saying Ocean Grove is not gentrified because of Neptune.