Newark Next To Gentrify?
From the Star Ledger:
Corzine should make transit a platform for economic growth
"Past governors were wise to prescribe smart growth as a cure for New Jersey's sprawl, traffic congestion and open space ills. Moving forward, Jon Cor zine should be the first governor to crystallize a new theme that distinguishes New Jersey by promoting the "growth" in smart growth. And, given the results of Newark's recent mayoral election and the soon-to- open Newark city subway extension, our state's largest city presents a ripe opportunity."
"The organizing principle for the governor's smart-growth economic development should be to use pub lic transit stations to anchor future jobs, housing and mixed-use investment. The timing couldn't be better -- energy concerns are mounting, confidence in our newly interconnected public transit system and Newark's new administration are at a high point and developers across the state are flocking to build "transit villages.""
"This transit-based approach can forge a coalition of local economic development, housing and transit advocates, satisfy developers and make sense to the public. By encouraging the location of new investments close to transit hubs where multiple transit lines converge, as well as in transit villages at outlying stations, a host of worthy policy goals can be accomplished. Lagging urban revitalization would be spurred. Emerging suburban redevelopment would be expanded. Diverse forms of hous ing to meet market needs would be built. Transit ridership would increase. And the growth in highway congestion would be eased."
"The policy leverage to this approach lies in encouraging future office construction at appropriate transit hubs instead of along the state's highways. Potential sites can be found within walking distance of transit stations in Newark, Jersey City, Camden, Trenton, Elizabeth, New Brunswick and Secau cus. Suburban office parks are difficult, if not impossible, to serve by public transit, resulting in 95 to 99 percent of their workers commuting by car."
"Over the longer term, New Jersey would benefit from a few more bona fide transit hubs in its strug gling cities, where redevelopment and transit use could flourish. One way is to create more locations where transit lines converge, such as by expanding or building new light-rail and bus rapid transit lines that connect to existing hubs. Examples include reviving the extension of the RiverLINE light rail system into the state office complex in downtown Trenton, restoring cross-county rail service to Elizabeth and considering a bus rapid transit system for the greater New Brunswick area."
"This overall initiative, if decisively adopted and implemented, would provide new momentum and definition for New Jersey smart growth. Let's hope the Corzine administration's economic development strategy seizes the opportunity."
Corzine should make transit a platform for economic growth
"Past governors were wise to prescribe smart growth as a cure for New Jersey's sprawl, traffic congestion and open space ills. Moving forward, Jon Cor zine should be the first governor to crystallize a new theme that distinguishes New Jersey by promoting the "growth" in smart growth. And, given the results of Newark's recent mayoral election and the soon-to- open Newark city subway extension, our state's largest city presents a ripe opportunity."
"The organizing principle for the governor's smart-growth economic development should be to use pub lic transit stations to anchor future jobs, housing and mixed-use investment. The timing couldn't be better -- energy concerns are mounting, confidence in our newly interconnected public transit system and Newark's new administration are at a high point and developers across the state are flocking to build "transit villages.""
"This transit-based approach can forge a coalition of local economic development, housing and transit advocates, satisfy developers and make sense to the public. By encouraging the location of new investments close to transit hubs where multiple transit lines converge, as well as in transit villages at outlying stations, a host of worthy policy goals can be accomplished. Lagging urban revitalization would be spurred. Emerging suburban redevelopment would be expanded. Diverse forms of hous ing to meet market needs would be built. Transit ridership would increase. And the growth in highway congestion would be eased."
"The policy leverage to this approach lies in encouraging future office construction at appropriate transit hubs instead of along the state's highways. Potential sites can be found within walking distance of transit stations in Newark, Jersey City, Camden, Trenton, Elizabeth, New Brunswick and Secau cus. Suburban office parks are difficult, if not impossible, to serve by public transit, resulting in 95 to 99 percent of their workers commuting by car."
"Over the longer term, New Jersey would benefit from a few more bona fide transit hubs in its strug gling cities, where redevelopment and transit use could flourish. One way is to create more locations where transit lines converge, such as by expanding or building new light-rail and bus rapid transit lines that connect to existing hubs. Examples include reviving the extension of the RiverLINE light rail system into the state office complex in downtown Trenton, restoring cross-county rail service to Elizabeth and considering a bus rapid transit system for the greater New Brunswick area."
"This overall initiative, if decisively adopted and implemented, would provide new momentum and definition for New Jersey smart growth. Let's hope the Corzine administration's economic development strategy seizes the opportunity."
12 Comments:
Newark has lots of potential... there are many nice historic brownstones, mansions etc. from the late 19th century and early 20th century when it was very desirable place to live...however, poverty, neglect, safety and infrastructure are major issues that will take a stupendous amount of money and effort to resolve
It will take money and effort but not stupendous amounts.
It will, however, require a stupendous amount of leadership. Looks like Newark, hopefully, now has that.
There are some cities of the sort who prefer to remain in a "welfare state" and elect their leaders accordingly (a la New Orleans). Newark has finally decided against this.
The only investment Newark needs, is the addition of another 5,000 police officers.
Once the crime goes away, the rest will take care of itself.
Today it's like a 3rd world country. It's depressing to see house after house neglected, with garbage strewn about. Even if I had nothing, I would keep my yard and surrounding street area clean.
It just doesn't compute for me that people don't take pride in their home and community.
RentingInNJ, watch for the bump and carjack move, where they ram into your car, and when you get out to look at the damage, they rob you and steal your car.
I wouldn't work in Newark for twice the salary.
I know I am going to hear all about eminent domain and how bad it is after this post. Here's what needs to happen in Newark. First find biggest POS undervalued neighbor, take it by eminent domain. Then master plan a mixed use development, say 600 or 1000 acres. Bring in outside developers with proven track records, designate them as redevelopers. Build out the development, give it enough police and watch it bloom and take the surrounding neighborhoods with it. Hell even designate 20% of the housing a lo-mod income. That is what needs to be done in blighted areas, we have no problem taking a polluted factory because the owners hurt the area but when individuals do the same thing the gov't does nothing because they need their voters.
"RentingInNJ, watch for the bump and carjack move, where they ram into your car, and when you get out to look at the damage, they rob you and steal your car."
That's at least one reason to be glad I drive a cheap Chevy Malibu, I guess.
I compare it to Harlem or Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn. These areas have tremendous homes, just really sketchy neighborhoods. Things can turn around if you get enough momentum and sustain it.
Another area I thought was nice, but was seriously declined was the St. George section of Staten Island. Beautiful older homes in, what must have been, a nice neighborhood years ago.
JM
JM
Grim Ghost, you are totally right the problem with Gentrifying neighborhoods in Newark or JC is why the hell would I pay money to be in the ghetto when to live someplace much better it costs maybe 15-20% more and there is no chance of getting shot.
I agree with unrealtor and several others here.
Step 1: reduce crime, look at NYC's plan and copy it if at all possible
Step 2: do anything legally possible to bring in more businesses, jobs (not just retail)
Step 3: improve schools...again, get creative, invite charter schools, let private companies take a crack at it, close really bad schools and give those kids vouchers or bus them to better schools.
step 4: turnover more properties to groups like Habitat, invite a Carter blitz build to get a 100 new low income decent housing in there ASAP...(ok, last one is my bias to HFH)...
nothing earth shattering...block and tackle...building blocks...
JM
Ok...now I'm on a roll...how about starting an artists' community!
They're priced out of NYC...and it's closer to the city than those art villages in upstate NY...give them the old warehouses and let them do something...it's better than what's there now!
JM
JM:
They already have an affordable artists' community. It's called "Philadelphia". No kidding. People gave up on NYC & Brooklyn and went south.
Hoboken was a toilet 40 years ago!
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