Newark: Real Estate, Development, News, & Politics

[NYatKNIGHT]

The light rail has improved the city significantly - not so much because of its purpose, but the fact that it opens up and connects the northern part of downtown with the southern part.

I worked on that light rail job for six years, and though we knew what the studies told us and that in our gut it was worth the money and construction, it is nice to hear it.

[kevin]

Another idea I had to fix the impression actually of pretty much all of New Jersey would be for them to pass laws requiring building owners to fix broken windows and other egregious blight, especially for factory buildings in visible areas like along the railroads. They should also require cities and authorities like the Port Authority to fix their broken windows.

* * *

As it stands right now, the PATH trip to Newark is somewhat less than a visual advertisement, even though I realize many of the blighted structures along the way are not actually in Newark (which is why the state should take the lead on these things).

Actually, the PATH is only in Newark when it's in Penn Station, and for the few seconds until it goes over the Passaic River. Yeah, there's a lot of blight in Kearny and Harrison. But Harrison is working on it with the new project that's anchored by the Red Bull stadium. Supposedly, there's going to be a nice little community over there where they just demolished that building. I agree, however, that many of the first impressions one has of Newark are formed by the train ride in. But believe it or not, the city is investing money in aesthetics. Broad Street is going to have some sort of promenade with trees in the middle of the road. Mulberry street is also *supposedly* undergoing an improvement, and that's a significant part of the train ride. As the city improves, the improvements will move outward.

I worked on that light rail job for six years, and though we knew what the studies told us and that in our gut it was worth the money and construction, it is nice to hear it.

Oh, for the Newark residents, the light rail is *practically* useless. I only say this because the route was already covered by NJT buses. But, that's only as far as actual transportation goes. What the light rail means to the residents is that people who know nothing about bus schedules (most non-newarkers) will feel safe riding a beautiful system, and many will discover that their fears of Newark were unfounded. Oh, and the system is quite beautiful. The designer did a wonderful job on the stations, and it was a great idea to incorporate the art. The light rail makes Newark feel like a tighter city - more like a San Francisco. It would have made sense to have the light rail go all the way down Broad Street into Elizabeth, or to the airport, or to have it link up with the subway in or near Branch Brook Park, but what it brings to the city in the sense of pride, safety, and flexibility does not show up on those stupid studies.

As much as I hate the Yankees, I'll use the example that A-Rod was a solid performer with gold glove all-star/hall of fame numbers that was a can't miss for any team that signed him. At the same salary, Derek Jeter can be a defensive liability who puts it solid, not spectacular numbers. The Yankees are overpaying for A-Rod, and have a steal with Jeter.

So when Joe Freehold spends his money at the Bears game, or Tammy Linden takes her family to the museum and then for a bite at the Brasilia Grill, the're not only contributing directly to the general revenue of Newark, but they're also going to tell their friends what a great time they had, what great food there is, and how they'd come back. Without the light rail, I don't think those people would be so brazen to have stepped foot outside of Penn Station.

The Star Ledger had a great writeup that pointed out all of the highlights in the city:
http://www.nj.com/onthetown/maps/index.ssf?newark

[NYatKNIGHT]

It would have made sense to have the light rail go all the way down Broad Street into Elizabeth...

Makes sense, it's the funding that's not available. It was forever referred to as NERL - the Newark-Elizabeth Light Rail - and this is Phase 1. Funding for the rest has never occured, though it could inch along through the years, the extension to at least to Newark City Hall is most probable.

[kevin]

Makes sense, it's the funding that's not available. It was forever referred to as NERL - the Newark-Elizabeth Light Rail - and this is Phase 1. Funding for the rest has never occured, though it could inch along through the years, the extension to at least to Newark City Hall is most probable.

The Devils arena is only a few blocks away, especially if you cut through the gateway center. But a link to Elizabeth would be cool, though maybe redundant since it's already covered by NJT rail and bus.

But yeah, I realize the funding is a major issue. Still, an untimate connection with the rest of the Newark City Subway near Branch Brook Park would make the ride much more worthwhile to someone like me!

[tone99loc]

Good dialougue all around and thanks for the lengthy response Kevin - I was definitely around for World Cup and saw the Portugal/Brazil/Argentina/Columbia/Ecuador national flags everywhere in Ironbound -- It's really an incredible sight to see and was like that for previous World Cups -- Of course, the increasing diversity of Ironbound means every four years the flags get more diverse as well -- That said, there is definitely a changing sentiment in the Portuguese community that no longer views Ironbound as a final destination. While it may make sense to initally settle in Ironbound, the trend now is to move out to the surrounding suburbs (i.e. Union, Hillside, Kenilworth) as fast as you can - I don't know how that bodes for long term stability of Ironbound, but it's something to think about..

[stache]

The light rail makes Newark feel like a tighter city - more like a San Francisco.

Maybe a baby step in that direction -

[kevin]

Maybe a baby step in that direction -

I couldn't think of an undesirable city that everybody else would know off the top of my head. It's not SF, but the light rail adds a lot to the simple image of the city.

[millertime83]

Pittsburg?

[Radiohead]

Here are some pictures of the progress on the new downtown arena. Pics taken 10/30/06.


















The signage along Broad Street......tacky, tasteless and trashy. Hopefully it will be cleaned up one day; these old buildings deserve better.

[JCMAN320]

Radio I see visions of boutiques and restaurants danciing in my head. lol. That arena is coming along great. This is just what Broad and Market needed right at the busy bustling intersection that not so long ago in the 1920s was the busiest intersection in the world. Devils Hockey, Seton Hall Basketball, also it is on Wikipedia.org, Newark will be getting a Major League Indoor Soccer team for the arena. All of this only two blocks from Penn Station. If only my Nets would go there then I would be real happy. Ahh a guy can dream and hope. lol

In all seriousness I hope that this arena does for Downtown Newark what MSG did for that area of Midtown. Newark is really going to suprise everybody in a few more years watch!

With Jersey City already well on it's way and Newark stepping up it's game finally, hmhmhmhmhm, New York better recognize and watch itself.

[TriHobo]

While restaurants and cafes are good, the key is finding enough events for the Arena besides from 40 home Devils games that will attract people to the neighborhood and therefore make those restaurants and cafes viable. The factors that will test the attractiveness of the Arena are its access, i.e. convenience to transportation (CHECK) and the comfort of people visiting the area. On the latter, until the crime rate is lowered and the stigma of years of Sharpe James' corrupt governing is wiped away, people are not going to look at Newark as their first option. I say this as someone that has enjoyed visiting Newark, and believes that it has the potential in 7 to 10 years be a vibrant thriving urban destination.

On a side note, speaking as someone that has lived near the Garden in NYC, the last thing one should think is " (I)hope that this arena does for Downtown Newark what MSG did for that area of Midtown." The Garden has attracted drunks, drug addicts and prostitutes, which i guess for some people is what they hope for - to each there own

[kevin]

While restaurants and cafes are good, the key is finding enough events for the Arena besides from 40 home Devils games that will attract people to the neighborhood and therefore make those restaurants and cafes viable. The factors that will test the attractiveness of the Arena are its access, i.e. convenience to transportation (CHECK) and the comfort of people visiting the area. On the latter, until the crime rate is lowered and the stigma of years of Sharpe James' corrupt governing is wiped away, people are not going to look at Newark as their first option. I say this as someone that has enjoyed visiting Newark, and believes that it has the potential in 7 to 10 years be a vibrant thriving urban destination.

I hear people talk about the crime rate of Newark all the time. It's kind of funny, actually. As a Newark resident, I know there are certain parts of the city I rarely venture into (S. Orange Avenue to Seton Hall, and a lot of the West Side), but to characterize all of Newark, especially the downtown area, because of the plight of one area...well, not to focus on stereotypes, but I've heard LA is quite dangerous...or is that South Central? NYC can be a tough neighborhood...in certain parts of the Bronx and Queens. But none of those places come into play when you're speaking of the downtown shopping districts.

The Devils Arena is a block away from the Gateway center. I see it every morning when I walk to the train station. In the neighborhood are the Clinton St. Lofts, 1180, 744 Broad, the Prudential Building, Seton Hall Law School, a Community Bank (coming soon), and a supposed Mulberry St. revitalization. If Newark treats the Devils games (and any other activity at the Arena) the way it does the Bears games or shows at NJPAC, then people have nothing to worry about. The city has a strong police presence at all public events, and given the short distance from the Gateway Center (which will probably stay open for the out-of-towners to get back to Penn), people in that area won't have a problem at all.

I say this as a person who enjoys living in downtown Newark and who'd love to see more cafes move into the surrounding area.

[investordude]

kevin, your argument is logical but logic isn't always enough. I think Newark needs to work on improving its reputation.

By the way, I think they need to encourage public transit to the games or the restaurants won't do much good.

One concern I have - I'm not sure the average fan is going to eat at restaurants that will attract the same people seeking the urban sophisticated lifestyle, if that is what downtown Newark wants to attract. I love hockey, but it doesn't seem culturally consistent with the $15 martini or the ahi tuna restaurant or even the cool ethnic restaurant, in no small part because most hockey fans have suburban kids with them and suburban kids are typically picky eaters who (at least legally) don't drink.

I think urban residents might actually want a different kind of restaurant than sports fan with small kids. It's better than nothing, but its not going to turn Newark into Williamsburg.

[investordude]

Oh yeah, the other demographic for hockey, the one without kids, may also be a problem. I think more hockey fans are probably men than women, although for the record, any girl gets extra credit with me if she likes hockey.

The reason I think this matters is that guys hanging out with other guys at a hockey game (or maybe this is just me) don't usually go the sexy sophisticated cafe with the sleek decor that's going to attract a huge urban influx. I realize that's a generalization, but I would guess marketing numbers would back it up.

My guess, from everything I've learned at HBO and Sex in the City, is you need something that's going to appeal to women before you start really getting great restaurants and shopping and beauty spas and other gentrifying elements I think.

[kevin]

kevin, your argument is logical but logic isn't always enough. I think Newark needs to work on improving its reputation.

By the way, I think they need to encourage public transit to the games or the restaurants won't do much good.

One concern I have - I'm not sure the average fan is going to eat at restaurants that will attract the same people seeking the urban sophisticated lifestyle, if that is what downtown Newark wants to attract. I love hockey, but it doesn't seem culturally consistent with the $15 martini or the ahi tuna restaurant or even the cool ethnic restaurant, in no small part because most hockey fans have suburban kids with them and suburban kids are typically picky eaters who (at least legally) don't drink.

I think urban residents might actually want a different kind of restaurant than sports fan with small kids. It's better than nothing, but its not going to turn Newark into Williamsburg.

I think it's easier than you think. I'm not placing all of my eggs in the arena basket - in fact, I haven't thought much about the arena except for what others have mentioned here. It's gravy compared to the other development going on in downtown Newark. First of all, you've got the Renaissance towers, you have the Clinton St. Lofts, you have 1180. Next up are the dorms at Rutgers and that college city block thing up by NJIT, and then the eventual construction/renovation at the Hahnes/Griffith buildings. It's nothing to do with getting hockey fans into Newark, it's everything to do with getting people, middle class people with money to move in. This *seems* to be happening here, at least at 1180, as I'm seeing new faces every day.

Newark also has some great restaurants in the Ironbound, which is just on the opposite side of Penn Station from downtown. Frankly, I think placing the arena in downtown Newark does more for the Devils than it does for Newark, as now the 20K or so fans per night can get to the game without having to fight the rt. 3 traffic, worry about parking, etc. Plus, if hte area builds up, you've got more options for a meal than you do in the Meadowlands, which by last count was zero.