Saturday, April 30, 2016

Photo of the Day 4/30/16


This photo shows the Hahne & Co. Building in Downtown Newark. The former department store along Broad, Halsey, and New Streets will contain apartments, Rutgers-Newark offices and galleries, the headquarters of City National Bank, a Whole Foods Market, and other retailers when construction is complete.

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Friday, April 29, 2016

Photos: Governor Christie Meets With McGreevey and Former Prisoners in Newark


Newark, New Jersey: Governor Chris Christie came to Newark's Central Ward on Friday afternoon as part of National Reentry Week. 

Christie met at the Greater Newark Conservancy on Prince Street with former governor Jim McGreevey and several former inmates at New Jersey state prisons, including one who served his sentence at Northern State Prison in Newark. Christie, who was introduced by McGreevey, spoke about topics such as drug courts, bail reform, recidivism, 'banning the box' on job applications, and the state of New Jersey's state prisons. 

At the same time, Senator Cory Booker and U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman spoke at Federal Square across town about prisoner reentry as well.





















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Photo of the Day 4/29/16


This photo shows the 'ghost sign' for the Newark Sunday Call on Halsey Street. The paper published from 1872 to 1946.

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Thursday, April 28, 2016

At the Same Time, Christie and Booker to Speak at Separate Prisoner Reentry Events in Newark


Newark, New Jersey: Several current and former politicians and leaders will gather in Newark tomorrow for two separate events regarding prisoner reentry.


Governor Chris Christie and former Governor Jim McGreevey will meet at the Greater Newark Conservancy on Prince Street for a roundtable discussion with clients of the New Jersey Reentry Corporation. Governor Christie will address prisoner reentry following the meeting.


Meanwhile, across town, Senator Cory Booker and U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman will speak at the Frank R. Lautenberg Post Office and Courthouse at Federal Square as part of the ReNew Court graduation. According to the United States Department of Justice, the ReNew Court is "a partnership among the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Public Defender’s Office, and the U.S. Probation Office designed to help ex-offenders recently released from federal custody successfully reintegrate into society" in Newark.


Both events will begin at 3:00pm, and fall during National Reentry Week.






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Krauszer's Opening on Halsey Street in Newark


Newark, New Jersey: Halsey Street in Downtown Newark will soon have another new business.

Krauszer's, one of Essex County's largest convenience store chains, will open a location at 127 Halsey Street, at the corner of Raymond Boulevard. The chain has locations in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut, and opened a location on Market Street in the RockPlaza Lofts development in 2015. Another store is also proposed for the Teachers Village complex further south on Halsey Street.

127 Halsey Street is currently undergoing a renovation to become a mixed use development with 16 residential units. The Harvest Table restaurant will remain open, while other retailers in the building have closed.



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Photo of the Day 4/28/16


This photo shows the abandoned Essex County Jail near the Newark Light Rail's Norfolk Street Station.

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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Verizon Selling Office Building on Broad Street in Newark


Newark, New Jersey: As employees of Verizon continue to strike outside, the company's building in Downtown Newark could soon see changes inside.

According to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Verizon New Jersey is selling their 427,720 square foot building at 540 Broad Street, at the corner of Lombardy Street to Halsey Central Associates for $16,510,000. Following the sale, which was approved by the Board in January, the company will lease six floors of the building for a year before moving to other locations. A telecommunications equipment facility will continue to operate on the fourth floor.

Raymond McConville of Verizon told Essex County Place that he is unaware of the buyer's plans for the building, but a plan from Amara Associates states that a full interior renovation is proposed for the structure. The plan states that there will be 246 housing units throughout the building, retail space on the first floor, a gym and fitness center, and bowling lanes.

The building dates to 1929, and was originally known as the New Jersey Bell Headquarters Building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Verizon was originally planning to sell the building in 2008, but stayed after receiving over $20 million in tax breaks from the State of New Jersey.

Amara Associates' website also states that a similar project is proposed for the IDT Building on Broad Street. The company did not immediately return requests for comment.

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Another New Development Planned for Newark's Ironbound


Newark, New Jersey: The number of residential development projects across the City of Newark continues to increase, and another project has now been proposed for the East Ward.

According to the Newark Zoning Board of Adjustment, Yglesias Residential Properties is planning two new buildings for the Ironbound neighborhood. A five story building with 60 residential units and a four story building with six residential units and a gym are proposed for 13-31 New York Avenue and 132 Walnut Street, between New Jersey Railroad Avenue and McWhorter Street. The properties are near the new Ironbound Early Learning Center, and the proposal calls for demolishing an existing house at one of the sites. A parking garage with 59 spaces is also proposed.

The Zoning Board of Adjustment will hear the proposal on Thursday evening at City Hall.

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South Orange Library to Host History Event


South Orange, New Jersey: One of Essex County's oldest public libraries will commemorate its history next month. 

The South Orange Public Library will hold a grand opening ribbon cutting event for the new 'SOPL Timeline' presentation on Sunday, May 15th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Attendees will learn about the 150 year history of the library, and can browse the new coloring book about the library featuring the work of local artists. In addition, according to the South Orange Historical and Preservation Society, information will be shared about the new Library Equal Access Program (LEAP). 

The South Orange Public Library is located at 65 Scotland Road, between Comstock Place and Taylor Place. Parking is available behind the library, and transportation is available using Coach USA Bus 31, NJ Transit Buses 92 and 107, and the South Orange Train Station. 

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Photo of the Day 4/27/16


This photo shows the abandoned Essex County Jail along Newark Street in Newark's Central Ward.

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Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Pet Wants Opening Location in Downtown South Orange


South Orange, New Jersey: A location of a pet food store chain is opening in Downtown South Orange. 


A franchise of Pet Wants will be located at 67 South Orange Avenue, between Vose Avenue and Scotland Road. The business will be owned by resident Bob Zuckerman, who is also the Executive Director of the South Orange Village Center Alliance. It will sell dog food and cat food, and offer free delivery. 


Pet Wants of South Orange, which is expected to open by Memorial Day, will be the company's first New Jersey location. There are currently stores in Ohio, Indiana, Texas, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida, and Pennsylvania. 


The space was previously occupied by the South Orange Jewelry and Art Exchange, Robyn Ross, and Gio Tech. South Orange currently has one other pet store, Zen Pets, on Valley Street.


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Photo of the Day 4/26/16


This photo shows the view of Jersey City and Lower Manhattan from the Newark Broad Street Station.

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Monday, April 25, 2016

Skateboard Store Opening in Downtown Newark


Newark, New Jersey: A suburban skateboard shop will open a new store in Downtown Newark.

Underground Skate Shop is opening a location at 145 Halsey Street, between Raymond Boulevard and Academy Street. According to the company, the store will be 1,500 square feet, and is expected to open by April 30th. The space was previously occupied by Hollywood Beauty Wigs & Extensions and Star Shoes.

Currently, there is another location of Underground Skate Shop on Franklin Avenue in Nutley, which sells shoes, jackets, shirts, skateboards, and other items. A store in Ridgewood, Bergen County closed earlier this month.

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Changes Continue at Livingston Circle


Livingston, New Jersey: A vacant lot in Western Essex County could soon be redeveloped.

According to a legal notice from the Township of Livingston, a car wash and detail center are proposed for 395 West Northfield Road in Livingston. The lot is located at the Livingston Circle along Route 10/Mount Pleasant Avenue near Eisenhower Parkway. Livingston Car Wash, which is currently located near Eppes Essen at 111 East Mount Pleasant Avenue, is listed as the site redeveloper. A gas station called Circle Service Station used to stand at the property.

The Route 10 corridor in Livingston and East Hanover, Morris County has seen significant changes recently. The Village at Livingston Shopping Plaza recently rebranded as The Shoppes at Livingston Circle, and now contains The Fresh Market, a bagel shop, and other retailers, and a Dunkin Donuts and Bassett Furniture opened in the Circle Plaza in 2015. In addition, the site of the former Margarita's Mexican Restaurant and Houlihan's Restaurant will be redeveloped into The Corner at Livingston Circle, which will contain locations of The Container Store, Shake Shack, Starbucks Coffee, and Blaze Pizza.

Unionville Vineyards, a winery in East Amwell Township, Hunterdon County, has applied to the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control for a wine retail outlet license for the former Cosi space at 471 Route 10.

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Photo of the Day 4/25/16


This photo shows the Rutgers-Newark clock tower with the former Bamberger's building in the distance.

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Sunday, April 24, 2016

Photo of the Day 4/24/16


This photo shows the Newark Light Rail at Riverfront Stadium. According to NJ Transit, service should not be impacted due to the construction of the new development at the site of the stadium.

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Saturday, April 23, 2016

Photo of the Day 4/23/16


This photo was taken outside of the Veterans Administration Federal Building at the corner of Washington Place and Halsey Street in Newark. The building dates to 1920.

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Friday, April 22, 2016

Community Storefront Coming to Newark's West Ward


Newark, New Jersey: A new resource for small businesses is coming to Newark's West Ward. 

The West Ward Newark Community Storefront will hold a grand opening celebration on Monday, April 25th. It is located at 989 South Orange Avenue at the corner of Halstead Street, near the former Stanley Theater. At 11:30am, Mayor Ras J. Baraka and West Ward Councilman Joe McCallum will cut the ribbon of the storefront, which is part of the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation's Community Storefront Program. According to the NCEDC, it will be a shared working space used by recent graduates of the Workshop in Business Opportunities program at the Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Freedom Ministries' Community Outreach Center previously occupied the space. 

This is the second community storefront to open in the city. The South Ward location at 790 Clinton Avenue opened in September of last year. 

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Crosswalks Updated in South Orange


South Orange, New Jersey: Three crosswalks in South Orange have been updated.


Flashing lights and new signage have been installed at the crosswalk on West South Orange Avenue near the South Orange Middle School exit, on South Orange Avenue near Irvington Avenue and Academy Street, and on South Orange Avenue near Village Plaza. The solared power system, which was installed earlier this month, is activated by pedestrians who press a button before crossing. The South Orange Police Department has conducted enforcement recently on South Orange Avenue crosswalks and other crosswalks in the village as part of the Cops in Crosswalks program due to a significant number of drivers failing to stop for pedestrians, which is required under New Jersey state law. 

A similar system was installed last year along Springfield Avenue in Maplewood.



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Changes Coming to Farrell Field in South Orange


South Orange, New Jersey: Volunteers are needed to help clean up an Essex County park this weekend. 

The Park and Woods Clean-Up Day will be held this Saturday, April 23rd, at Farrell Field in South Orange. According to the Farrell Field Park Conservancy, which is sponsoring the event, attendees will remove litter and debris from the field and the wooded area behind it from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Farrell Field is located on Walton Avenue between Lenox Avenue and Audley Street. 

The removal of litter is not the only change coming to the area surrounding the park. NJ American Water is continuing construction on a new water pumping station near the road to the South Orange Department of Public Works, and CrossFit studio Run Jump Lift is opening a temporary location inside the former Jersey Animal Coalition shelter, which has been vacant for nearly a year and a half.



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Photo of the Day 4/22/16


This photo shows the buildings that line Broad Street near Washington Park in Newark.

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Thursday, April 21, 2016

Photo of the Day 4/21/16


This photo shows one of the original Lackawanna Railroad mile markers, which is still standing near the South Orange Train Station.

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Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Adult Day Care Center Proposed for Newark's Ironbound


Newark, New Jersey: A new five-story building could be coming to the Ironbound section of Newark's East Ward.

The building is proposed for 273-283 East Kinney Street, between Jefferson Street and Adams Street, near Independence Park. According to a public notice from the Newark Zoning Board of Adjustment, should it be approved, the building will contain 96 units as an adult day care center for people ages 55 or older, with two commercial spaces on the first floor with a cafeteria and 33 parking spots. Seabra Brothers currently owns the property, which contains a small building and a garage.

Newark's Zoning Board of Adjustment will hear the proposal on April 28th at 7:00pm at City Hall.

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Walgreens Plans to Open Another Belleville Location


Belleville, New Jersey: Another pharmacy could open in Belleville.

According to a legal notice, Walgreens is planning to open a location in Belleville's main business district at 165-183 Washington Avenue, at the corner of Rutgers Street. WIN Development Belleville LLC has applied to the Belleville Planning Board to demolish several buildings at the site in order to build the pharmacy, which would have 40 parking spaces and a drive-thru. Currently, the former home of The Motorcycle Mall, which was originally used as an A&P Supermarket, stands at the site along a vacant building which used to contain Milt's Photo and Golden Chopsticks Chinese Restaurant.

Walgreens currently has another Belleville location on Franklin Avenue, which used to be a Drug Fair location and two others on Washington Avenue, one of which used to be an ACME market. The Belleville Planning Board will have a public hearing regarding the proposal in April 28th at 7:00pm.

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Photos of the Day 4/20/16


These photos show the Washington Street Station on the Newark Light Rail.



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Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Photo of the Day 4/19/16


This photo shows the clock tower at the Newark Broad Street Station.

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Monday, April 18, 2016

Parking Could Replace Houses in Orange


Orange, New Jersey: Two houses in Orange's Seven Oaks neighborhood that date to the 19th century could be torn down, but another could be renovated.


According to a legal notice, the Orange Township Board of Education (BOE) is planning to renovate 366 Clarendon Place, a house located opposite Orange High School between Lincoln Avenue and Carteret Place. The house dates to 1881, and according to Orange Township BOE meeting minutes, the building will be used as part of an expansion of the high school. One person was shot and killed and another was injured in the house in 2006, according to News 12 New Jersey.


However, the application also calls for tearing down 386 and 396 Clarendon Place to make way for 94 parking spaces. The houses date to 1839 and 1849, respectively. The Orange Township BOE paid $87,500 for 386 Clarendon Place and $192,500 for 396 Clarendon Place in 2013. 386 Clarendon Place is on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places.


The application will be heard at the next meeting of the Orange Zoning Board of Adjustment of Wednesday, April 27 at City Hall.


This is not the only upcoming plan for Orange schools. The Orange Township BOE is purchasing the former Marylawn of the Oranges School just over the border in South Orange for use as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) high school. The building has been vacant since 2011.


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More Apartments Coming to East Orange


East Orange, New Jersey: Another new development is coming to the City of East Orange.

According to the City, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Wednesday, April 20th for a new building at 742 Park Avenue, between Park Street and Washington Street. The site, located one block from the Orange border, is currently a vacant tract, and faces Washington Street as well.

According to Mayor Lester E. Taylor III, the new development will contain 26 residential units. The area is served by NJ Transit's 41 and 97 buses, and is less than a mile from the Orange and Brick Church Train Stations.

Click here to learn more.

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New Murals Coming to Newark


Newark, New Jersey: A possible extension of the PATH train through Newark could be years away, but development of a new mural along the tracks is beginning soon.

According to the Newark Downtown District, the District, the City of Newark, and the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation will partner with local and international airports and Sherwin-Williams to create the second largest mural in the country. The mural will be located along the wall on McCarter Highway/Route 21 next to the tracks used by NJ Transit, Amtrak, and PATH just south of Newark Penn Station.


In addition, murals could also be coming to two train stations along the Morris and Essex NJ Transit line. The South Orange Performing Arts Center and the Valley Arts District are applying for a grant to install murals under the South Orange Train Station and at the Highland Avenue Train Station in Orange.

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Photo of the Day 4/18/16


This photo shows the former Second Presbyterian Church on Washington Street in Newark. Audible will open an engineering and development hub inside the church and in two neighboring buildings.

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Sunday, April 17, 2016

Photo of the Day 4/17/16


This photo shows Rutgers-Newark's 15 Washington Street building.

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Saturday, April 16, 2016

Photo of the Day 4/16/16


This photo shows cherry blossoms along Halsey Street in Downtown Newark.

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Friday, April 15, 2016

UPDATE: Uber and Newark Reach Tentative Agreement


Newark, New Jersey: The City of Newark and Uber have just reached a tentative agreement, according to a statement from Mayor Ras J. Baraka. 

The statement says that the agreement "will keep UBER in Newark, protect the business interests of the taxi and limousine industry and provide a boost to the city’s economic development and leadership in technology". 

Baraka's announcement comes after proposed legislation by the Newark City Council to regulate ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber. The city sent an email to residents on Friday morning titled "Uber Falsehoods", reading that "Uber is spending over $1,000,000 on advertising to deceive people. We need your help to get the truth out." 

Uber created a website this week called BarakaBan.com, but the content on the site has since been removed. 

“We are pleased that we reached a tentative agreement with Mayor Baraka. We look forward to continuing to provide transportation options and economic opportunity to Newark and its citizens", Uber spokesperson Craig Ewer told Essex County Place. 

This is a developing story and will be updated. 

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Photo of the Day 4/15/16


This photo shows the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart near Branch Brook Park in Newark.

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