Right in the heart of the city of Newark, Mayor Cory A. Booker, Tucker Development Corporation President Richard Tucker, Councilman Anibal Ramos, Councilman Luis Quintana, Council President Donald Payne, Jr., Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Brick City Development Corporation Chairman Adam Zipkin, BCDC CEO Lyneir Richardson joined at a topping out ceremony for the new Courtyard by Marriott at the Prudential Center Hotel located at the corner of Broad Street and Lafayette Street in Newark’s Downtown on February 2, 2012. The confidence level seems very high for the developers to come to Newark. For the first time ever, the city of Newark has seen a strong growth of the population.
They raised the American Flag and planted an evergreen branch, which symbolizes good luck and economic prosperity. This will be a mixed use building for the hotel and retail businesses. There will be another announcement of a hotel coming to Newark within a week or two.
Richard Tucker said that the interest of Tucker Development in Newark is so high that they will announce another investment project in a month’s time. Tucker Development Corporation, a leading developer of shopping center and mixed-use properties throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, is developing the project, and will lease and manage the development’s approximately 14,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.
“It’s extremely gratifying to see our vision for downtown Newark becoming a reality, and we are excited to mark this topping out milestone with the individuals who are working every day to see that this great city is delivered a world-class hotel and retail center,” Tucker President and CEO Richard Tucker said. “The project is on track to create 175 construction jobs, many of which are being filled by Newark residents. Investing in the future of Newark has proven to be a wise decision, and we look forward to celebrating a ribbon-cutting later this year.”
“The topping out of the Courtyard by Marriott at the Prudential Center, Newark’s first new downtown hotel in four decades, is literally a new high point in the redevelopment and growth of our City. Visitors have been flocking to the Prudential Center since it opened, and now they’ll have a brand new place to stay the night right next door. People from all over the country will be able to have a complete, on-the-ground Newark experience that will keep them coming back again and again. This project would not have been possible without the dedication and vision of Tucker Development, the State of New Jersey, the Municipal Council, local labor leaders, and my Economic Development team. This hotel not only allows us to show off our City’s vitality, but it amplifies the energy and excitement,” said Mayor Booker. “I’m excited to shop at the retail coming to the ground floor and to recommend that our guests spend the night right downtown. I’m proud that we have Newark natives like Local 825’s Business Agent Lino Santiago and Newark residents including Labor Steward Paul Blanding and Laborer Daniel Jimenez working on this project. They can proudly say they have made a brick and mortar contribution to building a stronger, safer and prouder City.”
Deputy Mayor Zipkin said, “For anyone looking for proof that Newark is on the rise, look no further than the new Courtyard by Marriott at the Prudential Center. The construction crew has topped out the building, but we are only starting to see the many benefits that Newark’s first downtown hotel in 40 years will bring to this City. The Marriott means permanent jobs for our residents and construction jobs for local labor. More visitors will stay the night when coming for events at The Rock, adding vitality to our streets and pumping more dollars into the local economy. With our lofts coming online, new downtown towers in the works, and new hotels, downtown Newark is being transformed in front of our eyes.”
The hotel’s grand opening will be in September of 2012. After the success of Prudential Center, a 4-star hotel will provide wonderful accommodations in the heart of Newark. The Four Star Courtyard Marriott at Newark Liberty International Airport has earned a name for its excellent service to visitors.
“It has been inspiring to watch the brand new Courtyard Marriot’s progress. The City of Newark deserves to be able to have and host the best. I am sure that this hotel, the first in Newark, in 40 years, will provide great accommodations for all that have the opportunity to eat, work, rest and visit,” said Council President Payne, Jr.
“We look forward to having visiting teams as well as sports, family entertainment, and concert fans staying at the Marriott. This is the latest in many exciting projects around Prudential Center. We are happy to be partners with Tucker Development and pleased to see Newark moving forward,” said Devils Arena Entertainment Chairman and Managing Partner Jeff Vanderbeek in a statement.
There will be 50 to 75 full time jobs created by this project. There will be an office tower coming to Newark as stated by the Mayor. Many people, corporations and organizations have been involved to finish this tough task and it was successfully done. The success of the Prudential Center organizing huge concerts and games will attract many visitors to the hotel. Since 2007, “The Rock” (Prudential Center) has attracted 18,000 spectators per night and played an important role in the City’s revitalization.
On Thursday February 9, 2012 there will be construction commencement of the Teacher’s Village. The design, led by world-renowned Newark-born architect Richard Meier, is a mixed-use development that will include three charter schools and a day care center, 205 rental apartments for Newark teachers, and 70,000 square feet of retail that will transform a large portion of the city’s downtown, create jobs, and spur future development.
Economic development has also benefited from the 2007 opening of the Prudential Center, which brought New Jersey Devils hockey, New Jersey Nets basketball, and New York Liberty WNBA basketball to the City’s downtown. It also spurred the development of numerous downtown restaurants and bars as well as the construction of a new Marriott Hotel adjacent to the arena.
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