MAYOR BOOKER LAUNCHES 2010 SUMMER HALSEY STREET BLOCK PARTIES

Second annual event features art exhibitions, live music and open-air dining

Newark, NJ – June 4, 2010 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, Members of the Municipal Council, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Housing Development Stefan Pryor, Brick City Development Corporation CEO Lyneir Richardson and other dignitaries joined with the community yesterday to launch the second annual summer-long “Halsey Street Block Party” series.

The block parties will be held on Halsey Street between the blocks of Central Avenue and New Street on specific Thursdays and Saturdays, between 5:30 – 10:00 p.m., through September 30. A complete list of block party dates is attached.

Last night’s Block Party began with remarks from dignitaries, including Mayor Booker, Deputy Mayor Pryor, Brick City Development Corporation CEO Richardson, and local business owners. Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Hector Ortiz served as Master of Ceremonies. After the ceremonies, attendees enjoyed a disk jockey, vendors, and open-air dining.

“This is what we’ve always believed to be one of the important, dynamic, streets in the City,” Mayor Booker said. “We have here the potential to do tremendous things in increasing the vibrancy and excitement of the City of Newark right here. There will be many things going on here, from façade improvements to numerous events to celebrate the City, to rejoice in this street. It will also allow us to make this a keystone street in the larger plan of transforming the downtown Newark area.”

The Halsey Street Block Party celebrates the emergence of the Halsey corridor as a vibrant destination. The festivities are part of a pilot program designed to promote the revitalization of key retail and mixed-use corridors throughout Newark. The project also includes an arts program involving the display of works by  local artists  in vacant floors of buildings along Halsey Street. Newark Pulse, led by Tamara Remedios, headed efforts to organize this year’s Block Parties. Berkeley College also co-sponsored the event.

“This is a beautiful event that brings a lot of people to Halsey Street, and something we want in the City of Newark. We want people to feel free to come to Newark and relax and enjoy themselves. This Block Party provides that. I love the idea of having festivals like this,” said Council Member-at-Large Carlos M. Gonzalez.

In his remarks, Deputy Mayor Pryor noted that Halsey Street business owners will be receiving monies to improve facades under a partnership with the Brick City Development Corporation this summer, while the Newark Downtown District is working to improve the Halsey Street streetscape with new curbs, lighting, and street furniture.

“There are multiple intersecting pieces that make this possible. There’s the pure festivity of block parties that help make the street a destination and energizes the university community going into the new academic season this fall. Then there’s façade improvements to upgrade this beautiful human-scale corridor in our City and help bring new businesses and residents to Halsey, which is becoming one of the signature locations and destinations in Newark,” Deputy Mayor Pryor said. “We’re so excited about what’s happening on Halsey Street, and we are looking forward to an even more bright and exciting future.

Brick City CEO Richardson said, “We are proud of the resources on Halsey Street. The Mayor told me he wanted this street to be ‘sexy.’ We’re investing in people, we’re investing money, we’re helping people get permits, and we’re working with entrepreneurs. We want a sexy Halsey Street – a place you want to go, a place you want to hang out, a place you want to shop, and eat, and drink, and party and experience more. I’m pleased to be here, pleased that you are all here, and helping bring ‘sexy’ back to Halsey Street.”

Also addressing the attendees was Newark native and lawyer Anton Lender, who partnered with fellow Newark native and lawyer Everett Johnson to purchase a “distressed property” on Halsey Street, which the pair will convert into a mixed-use residential and commercial building.

“We both graduated from Rutgers-Newark up the street, and we saw the potential in Halsey Street while we were students at Rutgers. We made an effort to invest in a distressed property and are looking forward to investing in our home town. We’re going to be good neighbors and try to bring a business that enhances the community. We thank the administration and BCDC for working with us, and helping us get through the permit processes,” Mr. Lender said. “There’s definitely a positive feeling about the neighborhood and the investment going on here on Halsey Street. I’m glad this is getting the attention it deserves, and we’re looking forward to getting started.”

1. Biederman Redevelopment Ventures Corporation served as a consultant to a working group of institutions and organizations  on the strategy and implementation of all aspects of the Halsey Street pilot program.

Details for the Halsey Street Block Parties can be accessed at www.GoNewark.com/HalseySt, on Facebook at the “GoNewark” fan page or at twitter.com/GoNewark.

For information about this program, contact the Brick City Development Corporation at (973) 273-1040. For information about any City of Newark program or policy, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

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