The Newark Master Plan: Our City, Our Future
Mayor Cory A. Booker and Deputy Mayor for Economic and Housing Development Stefan Pryor announced the launch of the updating of Newark’s Master Plan. This process will begin the City’s first comprehensive revision in 20 years. Newark’s zoning code has not been fully reworked in more than 50 years. Newark’s Master Plan will be developed over a 12-month period with the input of neighborhood workshops, city-wide working sessions, and task force meetings.
The launch of the Master Plan effort marks the beginning of a major round of work aimed at creating a uniform development strategy for Newark, which will be implemented in conjunction with individual neighborhood plans, to guide Newark’s continued growth. The Plan’s core policy goals include creating jobs for residents, fostering healthy and safe neighborhoods, and enhancing Newark as a city of choice.
Mayor Booker said, “The Master Plan process will be a comprehensive effort driven by the aspirations and concerns of Newark residents, and the completion of the final report will represent a true milestone for the city. The recommendations in the revised Master Plan will guide Newark’s continued growth and development for decades to come, and will help ensure that Newarkers continue to enjoy new opportunities and to experience an enhanced quality of life.”
The Master Plan update will build upon Newark’s 2009 Master Plan Re-examination Report, which has helped drive the city’s new development activity since 2009. The first half of 2011 has already seen the launch of numerous new development projects including the Courtyard by Marriott at the Prudential Center, Newark’s first new downtown hotel in nearly 40 years; the groundbreaking of a revitalized Newark Screens movie theater; and the announcement that Panasonic of North America will build a new tower in Newark to house its headquarters. In total, 2011 will see the groundbreakings of over 25 projects, which will combine to generate over 2 million square feet of new or renovated space, over $700 million in development activity, the creation of 1,000 units of new housing, the creation of over 2,500 construction jobs, and 2,500 permanent jobs. Mayor Booker dubbed 2011 Newark’s “Groundbreaking Year” in his State of the City Address in March.
Deputy Mayor Pryor said, “The goal of the Master Plan is to establish the context for the continued production of new jobs for our residents and a continued upward trajectory for Newark. An updated Plan and corresponding land use policies will create new opportunities for Newark to benefit from its world-class infrastructure and workforce. The Plan will also ensure that Newark’s development will take place in a rational manner that maximizes quality of life and amenities for Newark’s residents and businesses.”
Through neighborhood workshops and city-wide working sessions, the City of Newark is seeking input from Newark residents to guide the Master Plan process. The dates and locations of the neighborhood workshops are as follows:
1. July 13, 2011, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Mt. Pleasant/Lower Broadway & 7th Avenue: Fountain of Salvation Church, 191 Mt. Pleasant Ave.
2. July 14, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Roseville: Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Branch Brook Park
3. July 18, 2011, 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Forest Hill and North Broadway, Cherry Blossom Welcome Center, Branch Brook Park
4. July 19, 2011, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Weequahic and Dayton, Weequahic Park Fieldhouse, #92 (Accessible through Meeker Street entrance to Weequahic Park)
5. July 20, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Fairmount, Upper Clinton Hill, & West Side: Martin Luther King, Jr. School, 108 S. 9th Street
6. July 21, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m. – Belmont/Springfield, Lower Clinton Hill, South Broad/Lincoln Park: Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, 188 Irvine Turner Blvd.
7. July 26, 2011, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Upper Vailsburg, Lower Vailsburg, Ivy Hill: UVSO, 40 Richelieu Terrace
8. July 27, 2011, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Central Business District and University Heights: Newark Public Library, 5 Washington St.
Newark’s Master Plan is comprised of 11 elements, organized to create a cohesive and comprehensive plan for Newark, which include: land use, neighborhoods, sustainability, urban design, utility services and infrastructure, circulation and mobility, housing, business and industry, public and community facilities, historic and cultural resources, and open space and natural resources. Community input will be sought on each of these elements.
In addition to the neighborhood meetings outlined above, the Mayor and Municipal Council have assembled a 25-member advisory task force to provide input for the Master Plan process. The advisory task force is composed of city residents and institutional leaders throughout Newark, as identified by Mayor Booker and the Municipal Council. In addition to this advisory task force, there will also be a technical task force populated by City Hall department and division directors and partner agencies. For more information about any City of Newark program or policy, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.
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