LIVING IN DOWNTOWN NEWARK 2017 Annual Report VOLUME XIX WELCOME Dear NDD, Dear Downtown Stakeholders, Usually I would write my welcome letter It has been an honor serving as Chairman to stakeholders here, but since we’ll be of the Board of Directors for the Newark celebrating your 20th anniversary next Downtown District and ushering in its year, I decided instead to write this letter 20th Anniversary of service to our down- to you. 20 years have passed since you town. opened your doors in 1998 - fresh-faced and ambitious, armed with one mission: My position has given me a front-row seat to improve the quality of life in the central to the hard work done by the Newark business district of the City of Newark. So Downtown District in the Central Ward. many people said it would be impossible, Immense changes have taken place over but if there is one thing you are known for, it’s your ability to the last two decades, evident to all who live, work, and visit turn a deaf ear to naysayers and stay focused on your goals. Newark. The NDD started in 1998, concerning itself with basic cleaning, security, and bringing feet to the street. Now it is work- As I look back over nearly two decades, I must say — you have ing with local partners to strategically sculpt the bright future changed a lot. You started off with a handful of employees and that we all see on Newark’s horizon. a primary goal to keep the downtown streets and structures clean. After 15 years hard at work, your impact was so impres- The theme of this year's Stakeholders Reception is Living in sive your borders were expanded. Working with top archi- Downtown Newark, which encompasses more than just mov- tects and urban designers, you improved the aesthetics of our ing into our community. It is about immersion. Companies like downtown from top to bottom - historic-style light poles and Amazon, Prudential, and Panasonic are encouraging their em- street-pole banners to granite curb cuts, parklets, and plant- ployees to move into the downtown, walk to work, see sporting ers. Under the guidance of skilled landscape architects your events and concerts in our community, and take advantage of seating areas and parklets are selectively placed to allow for our big city amenities with our small town hospitality. extensions of tall office buildings and local businesses while your plantings change each season to give pleasure to thou- The NDD is leading in this new era by assisting in retail attrac- sands who crave a connection with nature in their daily city tion and business growth, partnering with local organizations to lives. Each intentional detail touches every block and makes it improve quality of life, and focusing its attention on the many impossible to go unnoticed. Who knew you’d have such an im- open spaces throughout the downtown. Public spaces change pact on the lives of so many people? the physical footprint of our city by allowing those who live and work in Newark to literally stop, sit, and absorb the enjoyable 19 years later, you have an untiring team consistently aiming sights and sounds of the city. The NDD Outdoor Cafe Seating to create and attain new milestones while working to maintain Areas, NDD Pedestrian Mall, and NDD Parklets are catalysts for and improve those that have already been reached. Together those changes. Mulberry Commons will become Newark’s new- they work with over 60 Ambassadors—women and men, most est state of the art park in Fall 2018, with the NDD maintaining, from right here in Newark — including Quality of Life Ambassa- securing, and programming it. These spaces are for all Newark- dors, Clean Ambassadors, and Horticulture Ambassadors all of ers to enjoy and share, and their success mirrors the success which are dedicated to making people feel safe, cared for, and the entire downtown is experiencing. proud to be a part of downtown Newark. As new residents are flooding to our downtown because of the extraordinary cul- As I pass the gavel to our new Chairman, I am content in the ture, work opportunities, transportation infrastructure, restau- knowledge that our downtown is growing and flourishing. May rants, nightlife, galleries, shopping, and personality, you are the NDD be at the forefront of downtown Newark's develop- right there in the middle of the fun, ready and waiting to serve. ment for another 20 years. You have worked tirelessly to earn a reputation for excellence, Kevin Collins dependability, and integrity, and as a result, your name has NDD Board Chairman, become synonymous with high quality. Today, the impact you C&K Properties - 2 Gateway Center have had on the downtown is obvious, and I have no doubt the next 20 years will be filled with innumerable accomplishments. Most respectfully, Anthony McMillan, CEO Newark Downtown District 2 | NEWARK DOWNTOWN DISTRICT TABLE OF CONTENTS About Downtown Newark..................4 Open Spaces.........................................17 NDD Mission.....................................................5 Parklets............................................................. 17 Live....................................................................6 Pedestrian Mall................................................18 Labor.................................................................8 Outdoor Cafés and Charging Stations..........18 Leisure..............................................................8 Mulberry Commons........................................19 Welcome to Our Community........................9 Banner Program..............................................20 NDD Operations..................................10 Board of Directors............................... 21 Clean and Green............................................10 Staff.......................................................21 Ambassadors..................................................11 Financial Update..................................22 Quality of Life.................................................12 A Healthy and Active Downtown..... 13 NDD Farmers Market...................................13 NDD Walking Club.........................................14 Annual Holiday Celebration.........................15 BrandNewark Kiosk.......................................16 NDD Back to School BBQ..............................16 2017 ANNUAL REPORT | 3 ABOUT DOWNTOWN NEWARK NDD MISSION The Newark Downtown District, Newark’s special improvement district of the central business area, is a privately funded 501(c)3 non-profit organization, dedicated to revitalizing downtown Newark by improving the economic viability of the central business district. The NDD works hard to enhance the quality of life for those who live, labor, and leisure in Newark, by providing sup- plemental cleaning and safety services, as well as physical improvement, marketing, and event programs. The NDD is funded through a special assessment on district commercial and residential properties, billed and collected by the City’s tax collection department and turned over to the NDD for operation management. The NDD is overseen by a Board of Trustees consisting of business and property owners within the District, representatives of non-profit organizations, as well as municipal officials and staff. LIVING IN DOWNTOWN NEWARK NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS BY THE NUMBERS Last Phase of Teachers Village 11% rise in the median home value Halston Flats in downtown Newark over the last year to $277,900 Hahne & Co Luxury Apartments (zip code 07102) Approximately 400,000 people RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT comprise the daytime population in Newark IN THE PIPELINE FOR 2018 AVERAGE RENT COSTS One Theater Square One Riverview Studio: $1439 The Kislak Building (579 Broad Street) 1 Bedroom: $1774 869 Broad St 2 Bedrooms: $1983 198 Market Street 3+ Bedrooms: $2245 DOWNTOWN NEWARK LIVING TOUR From Vogue.com to the New York Post, the real estate and commercial boom throughout Newark has been in the spotlight this year. Newark has a history, flavor, and unique living experience that other cities cannot duplicate. So, what is it like to live in downtown Newark? Over 700 people found out on Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 10:00 am–4:00 pm at the Downtown Newark Living Tour. This free, day-long, self-guided event was an opportunity to see first hand the most exciting, affordable luxury residential developments in Newark’s downtown. In addition to touring apartment homes, attendees watched cooking demos and ate tasty samples at Whole Foods Market, visited galleries throughout the downtown, had free entry into the Newark Museum, and enjoyed a free concert at NJPAC. “ Downtown Newark is the perfect place to live, labor, and leisure.” “Downtown Newark is the perfect place to live, labor, and leisure. Only minutes from Manhattan, we are home to fabulous, affordable, luxury apartments, top Fortune 500 companies, the best cultural centers in New Jersey, a vibrant art community, and delicious dining,” Anthony McMillan, CEO of the Newark Downtown District, explained. “Over 700 people converged on downtown Newark to take a peek into life in New Jersey’s biggest city.” 6 | NEWARK DOWNTOWN DISTRICT The self-guided tour began at the Greater Newark PARTICIPANTS Convention and Visitors Bureau, where attendees registered for their free all access pass. From there, registered participants from all over the United States and Apartments parts of Europe hopped on the free shuttles or started The Hahne Building Nevada walking the downtown to visit downtown Newark’s luxury Halston Flats Richardson Lofts apartment buildings.