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With the support of the Booker Administration and the Newark
Municipal Council, the Newark Downtown District (NDD) will direct
the largest Capital Project ever to be financed by a Special Improvement
District (SID) in the State of New Jersey. This $17.5 million Capital
Streetscape Improvement Project (the Project) will remake 56 blocks
of downtown Newark, improving sidewalks, lighting, signage, horticulture,
benches, trash receptacles, to keep consistent and more.
"This is an exciting time for downtown Newark. The Newark Downtown District's
Streetscape Improvement Project is the first significant, wide-scale Capital
Improvement Project to take place in downtown Newark in over a generation," says
Anthony McMillan, Executive Director, Newark Downtown District.
History
In 1998, the Newark Municipal Council approved the creation of
the Newark Downtown District, a Special Improvement District dedicated
to providing supplemental cleaning services, hospitality/security services,
marketing, special events, and physical improvement programs for the downtown
district. The SID is funded through a special assessment on nearly 600
commercial properties in downtown Newark. Since the Newark Downtown District
became operational in 1999, it has hauled away literally tons of trash,
produced and initiated events such as weekly Farmers Markets and Foodtopia
Festivals, managed a $1 million façade improvement program for small
businesses that yielded $10 million in private investment, and produced collateral
materials to promote downtown Newark to visitors and investors such as the Downtown
Newark Map, Downtown Newark Cultural Guide, Downtown Newark Restaurant Guide, and
the Downtown Newark Real Estate Marketing Packet.
Now in its ninth year of operation, the Newark Downtown District is embarking on
its most ambitious project to date, a $17.5 million renovation of the downtown
streetscape.
Financing
The Newark Downtown District’s Streetscape Improvement Project will be financed
through an innovative partnership with the New Jersey Economic Development
Authority (NJEDA). The NJEDA has approved $10 million in bonds to be issued on
behalf of the NDD, and the debt service on the bonds will be paid for by the Newark
Downtown District (NDD).
The remainder of the $17.5 million will be supplied through cash
and in-kind commitments from the City of Newark, the Newark Urban Enterprise
Zone (UEZ), the Newark Downtown District (NDD), and PSE&G.
Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker says, "We are particularly thrilled that we were able
to finance this Project through mostly private resources and at minimal cost to
the citizens of Newark."
Construction Schedule
The Project, which breaks ground on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, will occur in phases
over a three-year period. The first phase of construction will focus on the area
immediately surrounding the Prudential Center including portions of Market
Street, Edison Place, Alling Street and Mulberry Street in an effort to prepare
the area for the grand opening of the arena this fall.
Project Team
The streetscape design was led by BRV Corporation of New York and Stantec/Vollmer,
a Newark and New York-based engineering and landscape architecture firm, with
support from H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture LLC. The team previously worked
together on large streetscape improvement projects in New York City in the areas
of Grand Central, Bryant Park, and 34th Street. The wayfinding signage is being
designed by Newwork.
Project Design
Daniel Biederman, Principal of BRV Corp. says, "The Downtown Newark Streetscape
Improvement Project will in some ways be better than those programs
I've led in Manhattan since we were able to learn from those experiences
and tweak the design and materials to best serve the City of Newark."
All fixtures will be finished in a high performance, graffiti-resistant, color
coating in the City of Newark standard black.
Lighting Four different tiers of streetlamps reflecting the size and
character of the streets will be installed so that the sidewalks of
downtown Newark are continuously bright, thus creating a safe
and inviting atmosphere for pedestrians. Metal halide lamps will replace
high pressure sodium vapor lamps to provide a brighter, whiter light.
"The difference will be day and night," says H3 Principal,
John Fontillas. Certain street lamps will feature banner arms allowing
the Newark Downtown District to promote cultural events and activities
downtown, while also branding the district. Other poles will feature
arms for hanging baskets allowing for more greenery against the
urban streetscape. The street lamp luminaries and poles will be custom-fabricated
by Hadco of Littletown, PA.
Benches The Newark Downtown District benches will have
a frame made from recycled steel and will be designed for low
maintenance and high durability in an urban environment. The benches
will be fabricated by Soheil Mosum Ltd., of Toronto, Canada.
Street trees and grates Four different groups of trees will be planted reflecting
the scale and character of individual streets. Smaller, columnar trees will be planted
on narrow side streets, while larger, wider varieties will grace larger boulevards
like Broad Street. All of the trees have been selected for their attractiveness as
well as their ability to thrive in an urban environment. Distinctive tree pits formed
by granite curbing will provide abundant space and water for healthy tree growth.
The pits will also be adorned with attractive flower beds for seasonal display.
Where sidewalks are narrow, attractive metal tree pit grates will allow for air and
water to reach the root systems while providing for a smooth and safe pedestrian
surface. In areas where vaults beneath sidewalks and other obstacles prevent
installation of tree pits, planter boxes with lush seasonal foliage will reinforce
the uniqueness and attractiveness of downtown Newark.
Trash receptacles Since 2000, the Newark Downtown District has installed dozens of
receptacles to aid in the reduction of litter downtown and the Newark Downtown
District Clean Team has collected more than 14,000 tons of trash. The new trash
receptacle has a 36 gallon capacity and a decorative shell enclosure that contains
a low-cost polyethylene liner. Their clever side access door allows personnel to
empty them easily without heavy lifting. The recycled steel receptacle has a high-performance
finish which resists graffiti and vandalism. The receptacle is the Urban Renaissance
model by Forms + Surfaces of Carpentiera, CA.
Corner treatments Improving downtown Newark's sidewalk
treatment at the street corner will produce an impressive visual
impact at a place where pedestrians gather while waiting to cross the
street. Every corner will be both beautiful and functional, with granite
curb cuts allowing for smooth access to crosswalks for all pedestrians,
including individuals with disabilities. Replacing concrete with granite
will provide a more durable, and ultimately much smoother surface. The
corners will consist of a black granite field with gold granite ramps,
a brick band and black granite curbing. Crosswalks will be embossed and
highly visible to both pedestrians and motorists.
Wayfinding signage Signage in downtown Newark will
be improved on every level—directional
signs for motorists, signs marking street names, and pedestrian-oriented
signs that will provide directions and distances to major destinations,
retailers, and historic landmarks. The signage will be color-coded
to add to ease of use, and will be made of durable and reflective
materials, and in some instances, will be illuminated.
Newspaper boxes The sheer number of local and regional daily newspapers, as well
as free weekly publications, has left downtown Newark sidewalks crowded with newspaper
boxes chained to utility poles and streetlights, creating eyesores and safety hazards.
Durable and attractive newspaper boxes will be installed in later phases of the Project,
helping to reduce clutter on sidewalks and improve pedestrian access.
Newark Downtown District Streetscape Improvement Project
For a more attractive, safe, and inviting streetscape, the Newark
Downtown District, the Mayor of Newark, the City of Newark Municipal
Council, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, and PSE&G have
all come together to help create a more beautiful and flourishing downtown
that will improve the quality of life and economic opportunities for
every worker, visitor, property owner—and most
importantly—every citizen of Newark.
For more information, please contact the Newark Downtown District (NDD) at 973-733-9333
or visit www.downtownnewark.com.
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