For Immediate Release
November 2, 2006
For Further Information, Contact: David H. Lippman (973) 733-3697
MAYOR BOOKER ANNOUNCES STATE GRANTS
TO REVITALIZE NEWARK NEIGHBORHOODS
Five Newark neighborhoods will be receiving state grants and
approval for community-based re-development plans, Mayor Cory A.
Booker and New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Susan Bass
Levin announced at a City Hall Rotunda press conference today.
State money and support are being granted to community-based
organizations
in
the
Ironbound,
Lincoln
Park,
Lower
Broadway,
Vailsburg, and University Heights, for a variety of projects. Tax credits
will be provided to the corporate investors of these projects.
The
funding
is
administered
by
the
state
Department
of
Community Affairs under its Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit
Program (NRTC), which is designed to foster the revitalization of New
Jersey’s distressed neighborhoods through public-private partnerships.
“This is a truly exciting day for the City of Newark,” said Mayor
Booker. “We are putting the word ‘unity’ back into the community, and
‘neighbor’
back
into
the
neighborhood.
The
residents
of
our
neighborhoods are the ones who have developed the vision and plan to
set Newark on the right way. This is the core of what Newark must be on
the way forward. It will create more strength and yield more resources for
our people.”
- MORE -
Page 2
“Governor Jon Corzine and I are proud to partner with Mayor Cory
A. Booker, the City Council, and community organizations to revitalize
Newark’s neighborhoods,” said Commissioner Levin. “The unique publicprivate partnership of the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit
program involves the community from the beginning of the process to the
implementation of the Plan and encourages private corporate investment
in the City’s neighborhoods.
Addressing
the
community
representatives
present
at
the
conference, Levin added, “You have shown by your leadership and
commitment that you care about your city, and we are here to be your
partners in the next step of development.”
Under the grants, the Ironbound Business Improvement District
will received $90,000 in state aid, while the Lincoln Park Coast Cultural
District will gain $50,000. University Heights is gaining $400,000 from
PNC Bank through an NRTC-administered grant. A complete list of
grants and how they will be used is attached.
The announcement was made at a City Hall Rotunda press
conference, attended by members of the City Council and representatives
of the community organizations who will be receiving the support. These
included the Ironbound Business Improvement District, the Lincoln Park
Coast Cultural district, La Casa de Don Pedro, Unified Vailsburg Service
Organization, and University Heights Science Park, Inc.
William E. Best, head of Community Development Banking for PNC
Bank, presented a ceremonial check to University Heights, saying, “PNC
Bank supports the revitalization of this great city, and is proud to take a
leading role in this economic drive.”
The commissioner presented ceremonial checks to representatives
of the Ironbound Business Improvement District and Lincoln Park, as
well.
-
30 –
NRTC PROGRAM GRANTS AND HOW THEY WILL BE USED
1. Ironbound Business Improvement District, Ironbound
Neighborhood
Approved Neighborhood Planning Grant
 DCA is awarding Ironbound Business Improvement
District a $50,000 NRTC Planning Grant to support
the development of a comprehensive neighborhood
plan, and a $40,000 Smart Future Grant from the
Office of Smart Growth for the completion of a parking
analysis.
 Founded in 2000, IBID has improved the area by
focusing on quality of life issues such as sidewalk and
street cleaning, parking and pedestrian signage. They
are now embarking on an ambitious streetscape
redevelopment plan to transform the Ferry Street
corridor into a first-class shopping, entertaining, and
restaurant destination. The parking study will
complement this comprehensive plan.
2. Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Lincoln Park Neighborhood
Approved Neighborhood Planning Grant
 DCA is awarding Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District
Inc. a $50,000 NRTC Planning Grant, which will
include the development of design guidelines for
Lincoln Park’s neighborhood revitalization.
 The guidelines will provide a framework to ensure that
the design of the architecture and streetscape are
compatible with various planning and development
initiatives.
 Extensive public participation, including design
charrettes, will guide the planning process.
3. La Casa de Don Pedro, Lower Broadway Neighborhood
Approved Neighborhood Plan
 With an approved Neighborhood Plan already in place,
DCA is now announcing La Casa’s two Neighborhood
Projects for the Lower Broadway Neighborhood, an
area that has been the group’s focus for the past five
years. Redevelopment plans include improving
residential and commercial areas, recreational
facilities and the neighborhood’s educational system,
as well as addressing transportation and safety-related
problems.

La Casa is seeking a corporate sponsor for the two
DCA-approved projects:
1. To redevelop three blighted properties
at 43, 45 and 47 Broadway and an
undeveloped parcel at 299 Broad St.
2. For a facade improvement program for
local businesses.
4. Unified Vailsburg Service Organization, Vailsburg Neighborhood
Approved Neighborhood Plan
 DCA is approving UVSO’s Five-Year Neighborhood Plan
for the Vailsburg neighborhood, making them eligible
to now submit specific neighborhood projects.
 Significant components of the UVSO plan include the
construction of new for-sale housing, restoration of
existing for-sale housing, acquisition and management
of rental housing. The plan also includes expansion of
the agency’s Neighborhood Services Campus at South
Orange and Sanford Avenues to include additional
doctor’s offices, new dentist’s offices, additional
preschool classrooms and job training classrooms.
5. University Heights Science Park, Inc. (UHSP), Central Ward
Neighborhood
Approved Plan with Corporate Sponsor
 UHSP is moving ahead to the next phase of the NRTC
Program with PNC Bank as its identified corporate
sponsor. DCA approved UHSP’s 10-year plan, which
includes strategies for the continued redevelopment of
Newark’s Central Ward neighborhood, and outlines a
build-out of the Science Park that will address job
creation, affordable housing, daycare, early childhood
education, community facilities, open space, and
secondary education opportunities.
 PNC is committing $400,000 through the NRTC
Program for the redevelopment projects in
conjunction with UHSP.
 UHSP will use the funding to develop a mixed-use
facility, which will be known as the Digital Century
Center. The New Jersey Economic Development
Authority has already committed $5.2 million to the
project, which is in the predevelopment stage. The
total project cost is estimated at $25 million.
 PNC Bank’s investment will serve as the seed for the
growth of this neighborhood.