Will Newark Ever See "Gentrification" (Jersey City, East Orange: real estate, 2009)

[topster7]

Over the years, I've tried to stay abreast on efforts to spur a resurgence in Newark, albeit from afar. I grew up next door in East Orange, but so many good memories are tied up in my frequent visits to New Jersey's largest city.

I've read about public houseing complexes being torn down to be replaced by townhomes, expansions by colleges, and the occassional Performing Arts Center and similar big projects. So far, they seem to be falling short. And it saddens me. At heart, I always enjoyed urban living, and New Jersey seems to have turned into a mostly suburban population except for the lowest earning citizens. Other cities have managed in varying degree to accomplish this. Why not Newark? Certainly the generous taxpayers have lavished funds for public projects. Where is the private sector?

Philadelphia reclaimed Society Hill near downtown Center City. Boston transformed the North End and waterfront. Why not start with downtown condo hi rises, the area around Rutgers, and Forest Hills in the North Ward? Throw in some development for the Ironbound for good measure!

Newark is still a potential diamond in the rough. Since I live in California, perhaps such plans are already afoot and I missed them. For those of you closer to the situation, is this even being considered. Or to my original question; do any of you ever see this happening?

[block911]

NJIT: Gateway:

[topster7]

Originally Posted by block911

NJIT: Gateway:

Thanks for the link. Those artist conceptualizations are stunning! Quite close to what they did in Society Hill, Philadelphia when I was stationed there.

But "baby steps", IMO. The riots were over 40 years ago, and the private sector needs to step up to the plate. I know it won't happen for awhile now, thanks to the economic situation. But I place more faith in "greedy speculators" more attuned to what prospective home buyers want than any group that works for any arm of any government.

Maybe I'm just "wishing and hoping". I don't live there anymore, but Newark, and all of New Jersey always tugs at my heartstrings. Perhaps this development will serve as an "anchor" and spur further development. Though I still think Forest Hills should also be revitalized as a start.

[block911]

Originally Posted by topster7

Thanks for the link. Those artist conceptualizations are stunning! Quite close to what they did in Society Hill, Philadelphia when I was stationed there.

But "baby steps", IMO. The riots were over 40 years ago, and the private sector needs to step up to the plate. I know it won't happen for awhile now, thanks to the economic situation. But I place more faith in "greedy speculators" more attuned to what prospective home buyers want than any group that works for any arm of any government.

Maybe I'm just "wishing and hoping". I don't live there anymore, but Newark, and all of New Jersey always tugs at my heartstrings. Perhaps this development will serve as an "anchor" and spur further development. Though I still think Forest Hills should also be revitalized as a start.

The area north of the new fraternity homes is called Society Hill also

Newark City, NJ, 07103 - MLS ID#2503021 - Condo/Townhome/Row Home/Co-Op real estate - REALTOR.com®



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At about 10:00 PM on Thursday, March 5, 2009, a student who was walking off campus on Lock Street near Central Avenue was approached by two teenage males who robbed him at knife point. Fortunately, a NJIT Police Officer was patrolling in the area and intervened immediately, apprehending the two suspects and recovering the weapon used in the robbery. The student was not injured.

Please remember to travel in pairs when walking off-campus and to immediately notify campus police at 973-596-3111 of any suspicious persons.

[topster7]

Street crime is always going to be a major factor in any revitalization of Newark. Thus, my comments over the importance of getting the private sector involved. Only a LARGE project will give the patina of safety and desireability needed to get the proper impetus jump started. Other cities did this; New Jersey can do it, too. (And it WILL take the state playing a major role yet again). Block after block must be simultaneously reclaimed so as to create a large enough, sustainable area where people can feel free to stroll unmolested.

Business will follow the money with shops, restaurants and other amenities. As dire as the Newark situation is, it's imperative the project be bold, not meek half measure.

And one other thing. The term "Gentrification" usually implies "Yuppie", as we all know. I think it is VITAL that Newark also reclaim more diversity as it pertains to middle class/working class white citizens as well. In my experience in 23 years in the USMC, it was those "middle class values" that joined us as friends and neighbors in base housing, at base school functions, and at our kids Little League, Pop Warner, and Ballet recitals that drew us together. Race was an afterthought. Here, you can see the natural course of re-establishing functional, thriving neighborhood communities. Urban professional couples cannot do this alone, no matter how many "wine bars" open in Newark.

Maybe it's just a pipe dream on my part. But I hope I'm wrong.

[elflord1973]

I lived there for a year and studied then worked at Rutgers for a while. There has always been this talk of a "Newark Renaissance", because the place always created the impression that it had nowhere to go but up. NJPAC is a bright spot, otherwise it doesn't look good. The large companies, Prudential etc that have offices there are set up like gated communities. Most of the offices are inside the Gateway center, directly adjacent to the train, and there are shuttles to take the Prudential employees to the Broad Street office.

One of the high points was that Starbucks opened a location there, usually an early sign of gentrification. Last I heard, they are shutting it down.

Unfortunately, don't see a transformation happening any time soon. If the gentrification wave pushes forward instead of rolling back, it will keep pushing its way through Jersey City.

They have all the right stuff there -- at least four colleges (Rutgers, NJIT, UMDNJ, Seton Hall Law school), NJPAC, proximity to a major airport, an easy commute to Manhattan. But it is also home to a huge criminal underclass, and this drives everyone away from the town. Very few of the college students near campus, even though it would be convenient. And there is not much "student life" on campus. Everyone is out by about 6pm -- outside the perimeter of the campuses which are heavily patrolled, robberies are frequent, more so around 6pm and later.

Of my friends who I knew in Newark, two were robbed at gunpoint, one was in a store during an armed robbery, and one had her car stolen.

[todd72173]

Never...ever..ever...Newark will always be a dump..Just like its neighboring cities (Jersey City, Oranges.). Dont believe the hype.. Heck, Jersey City was supposed to be better..its only getting worse. Even the Donald is gone..

[GiantRutgersfan]

no, the voters and politicians in newark will not allow it. very corrupt. they need to copy nyc and put police all over the place and really enforce the minor, irrating things that go on (graffiti, bums, crack dealers, prostitutes, etc)

newark is a complete dump. they need to take a really hard stance on things. but they will not do it, because the voters are so far left. it will just never get done.

[cyntmac]

The voters being far left is not the issue.
This has little to do with "the voters" at this point in time.
It is not 1960.

Society Hill is just one neighborhood in Philly. Much of Philly is as bad or worse than ever and will probably not turn around in the OP's lifetime.
Same problem in Detroit, in Baltimore, in Bridgeport. Corruption is a major culprit along with poverty, crime, education, etc.
This is also true in most of the other places mentioned here.

A few small nabes in Newark might improve, but I would guess only a few.
This is not about "diversity". The real issues are too big too be tackled by the feel good crowd.
The OP poses his questions in a very naive manner. Life in America does not function like it does on a military base.

[cyntmac]

Originally Posted by GiantRutgersfan

no, the voters and politicians in newark will not allow it. very corrupt. they need to copy nyc and put police all over the place and really enforce the minor, irrating things that go on.

NYC still has many areas that middle class people do not set foot in.
Newark in total is the equivalent of some of those neighborhoods. Would fixing one or two sections be enough?
In a city that small I seriously doubt it.

Newark is closer to say somewhere like Bridgeport. Very similar demo and problems with the familiar NY/NJ style old corrupt political machine. That is an example of a more valid comparison.
Newark and NYC is an apples and oranges comparison.