NEWARK, N.J.: Since 1837, a jail has stood at 271-285 New Street in Newark's Central Ward, at the corner of Newark Street. Over the years, the Essex County Jail complex has seen several additions, from a new building with cell blocks constructed in 1890 to a wall built to surround the massive facility. However, since 1970, this sprawling complex has largely been abandoned, as new jails were constructed on Nelson Place and later on Doremus Avenue. Now, after 180 years, the old Essex County Jail is set to be removed.
Last year, Essex County Place reported that Rutgers Law School applied to de-register the facility from the National Register of Historic Places and the New Jersey Register of Historic Places, which, in part, prevented it from being demolished. In the time since, Phillip Scott, the Director of Engineering for the City of Newark, which currently owns the 1.52 acre property, has applied to the Newark Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission to demolish the old jail, citing that "most of the roof has collapsed and the site poses a danger to the surrounding community and NJ Transit rail system." The Newark Light Rail passes alongside one of the buildings on the property just east of the Norfolk Street Station.
The Commission will hear the proposal during its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 12th at 6:15pm at Newark City Hall.
Several other historic New Jersey facilities have been demolished in recent years, including the former Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Morris County, the former Essex County Hospital Center in Cedar Grove, the Essex Mountain Sanatorium in North Caldwell, and the Essex County Jail Annex in Verona.
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MAPLEWOOD, N.J.: An Essex County antique shop could be opening a unique business in Maplewood.
True Salvage, which is currently based in Orange's Valley Arts District, is planning to open a store called 'True Salvage Cafe & Antiques' at 292-294 Elmwood Avenue, at the corner of Orchard Road. According to a legal notice, business owner David Heffernan has applied to the Maplewood Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) for a use variance "to permit a cafe and retail sales business...with waivers for parking and signage."
The building contains three retail spaces, two of which are currently vacant. Ro's Cleaners and Scott's Deli previously occupied inside, but it is not clear which space could contain True Salvage.
The ZBA will hear the proposal during its meeting on Wednesday, July 19th at 8:00pm at the Maplewood Municipal Building, located at 574 Valley Street.
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The Hospital Center at Orange, also known as Orange Memorial Hospital, continues to sit abandoned.
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Afterglow Way in Montclair is one of the only brick streets in suburban Essex County.
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This photo shows a view of St. John's Church and Columbus Hall in Orange.
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SOUTH ORANGE, N.J.: Fireworks lighting up the sky across the New York Metropolitan Area could be seen from the First Watchung Mountain in South Orange. Here is a look at displays in The Oranges, Jersey City, Manhattan, and other areas as seen from the hillside.
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This photo shows the exterior of the Montclair Art Museum.
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This photo shows a view of the Newark skyline and the First Watchung Mountain from Brooklyn.
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The tower of 15 Washington Street rises over the Halsey Street corridor in Newark.
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This photo shows the steps to the Military Park Newark Light Rail Station.
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