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NJPAC Addition Plans Proposing 300-plus Residential Units Will Come Before Newark Planning Board

July 29, 2022 at 4:58 PM

NEWARK, NJ — New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) officials’ plans to construct two buildings that would bring 300-plus residential units and commercial space to downtown Newark will come before the city’s Central Planning Board next week.

NJPAC officials submitted an application to the city’s Central Planning Board, proposing to construct a 22-story high-rise building with 168 residential units, 15 maisonette/townhouse residential units and 186,026 square feet of ground floor commercial/retail space. The application also calls for the construction of a seven-story mid-rise building, which would include 145 residential units and 152,952-square-feet of commercial/retail space. The expansive project is planned to be constructed on 1-19, 21-43 Center and 24, 26-34 Rector streets.

Additionally, NJPAC’s application calls for a parking lot to be reconfigured to provide 149 parking spaces including an area within the lot to be used for bus parking.

The proposed project falls in line with NJPAC’s plans to transform a portion of downtown Newark by expanding the area's arts and education district. NJPAC officials announced last year plans to spur a $150 million development aimed to create a "vibrant new neighborhood" of low-rise and high-rise multifamily buildings, retail establishments, restaurants and cultural spaces on a portion of NJPAC’s riverfront campus.

“Contributing to the ongoing revitalization of Newark’s downtown has always been central to the arts center’s mission as the city’s anchor cultural institution,” NJPAC President and CEO John Schreiber said in a statement. “This plan is a thoughtful, curated mix of residential buildings, retail environments and cultural resources. We want this new neighborhood to be an exciting place to live, as well as a uniquely engaging destination.”

The vision for the project was welcomed by Newark officials.

“The redevelopment of NJPAC’s campus will be a game-changing step forward for the evolution of Newark’s downtown, creating an ideal live-work-play environment in the city’s heart — and making more affordable housing available for families of all kinds,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said in a statement.

Residents can hear this application and provide public comment on it at the city’s Central Planning Board virtual meeting that will be held Monday, Aug 1. Residents can access the virtual meeting by following the link here.

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https://www.tapinto.net/towns/newark...planning-board