Why Should Newark Residents Get Out Of Newark?

[CaseClosed]

when others are moving in? Why would they move in if revitalization of Newark wasn't a reality?

~~~~~
Real estate broker revitalizes Newark's downtown landscape

Marta Person Villa stands just off Newark’s famed Four Corners and glances over at the prime retail space still known as "Woolworth’s," an anchor from another era.

"I had a deal for that," Villa says before acknowledging the obvious. It was the proverbial one that got away. The national fitness-gym chain so interested in the space on that warm February day wasn’t any longer. "It’s dead, in purgatory. It’s so sad." But she bounces back. "That’s just the nature of the business."

Her business is called "Square Foot," appropriately named for a real estate brokerage. Her turquoise and white signs pop from storefronts in Newark’s downtown corridor, a testament to her influence in this urban landscape. "Big, beautiful empty buildings," she says of her domain.

She’s the one who signed the deal that brought Brick City Bar & Grill, an upscale sports bar, to its premier spot across from "The Rock," the 18,000-seat arena that is home to the New Jersey Devils.

Along the way, she rubbed shoulders with the building’s development partners, Samer Hanini of Hanini Group and Libby Heller of Star Parking. "You know Libby, ‘Parking Lot Libby?’" she says.

As the downtown’s retail hand-holder, she has her own code. There’s the LOI, for letter in intent. "Hit list," for all the prospects she can ring up. "Land bake," for property that is purchased but sits idle. "BROMA," for her Broad-Market territory. "My little nickname," she says.

"It all gets done one building at a time, a string of one-ies," said Villa, described by Stefan Pryor, Newark’s deputy mayor of economic development, as "a force of nature" in the city’s sometimes fragile revival.

It’s been a while since Villa, at the age of 27, was tapped as municipal administrator in Red Bank, whose downtown went from ho-hum to "Hiptown" under her watch. There, in the mid-1990s, she had already made her mark as executive director of Red Bank River Center, the special improvement district. Today, she lives in Somerset County with her husband and two daughters.

"Marta was always somebody who knew the marketplace, was very perceptive," said Edward J. McKenna Jr., Red Bank’s mayor at the time. "She was very — in a positive sense — a go-getter, and she can be very persuasive. She figured out the market quickly. Once she had it figured out, she’d target the people she thought would be the best tenants and go after them."


Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-LedgerMarta Person-Villa visits Brian Karwoski the owner of Brick City Bar & Grill on Edison Place located across the street from the Prudential Center. She was the agent for the bar & grill and the rental apartments in the same building. Marta Person-Villa has an insider's view on the ebb and flow of downtown Newark. Her "Square Foot" realty firm is at the heart of revitalization. She has the behind the scenes stories too. Not bad for a one-time chief of staff credited with helping turn Red Bank into Hiptown. Thursday August 26, 2010.
That would seemingly apply to Brian Karwoski, the co-founder of Brick City Bar & Grill. It was Karwoski who spotted her sign in the window of 35 Edison Place, now home to his restaurant and sports bar. It was the night of a Bon Jovi concert. He was on the smoking deck. "I saw this big ‘For Rent’ sign. It was Square Foot’s."

Post-deal, their connection remains strong. "She’s always driving development in this area," he said. "It’s good to have people like her making it happen." To be sure, Villa is observant. "I just saw a Cushman broker downstairs," she said on a recent visit.

"Competition?" Karwoski asked.

Then, Villa contemplates a face-off. "What ya doing?" she says of a potential opener. But she moves on instead, leaving Karwoski with a peck on the cheek. Over the years, Villa has brokered deals for such developers as George Jacobs, who as president of Clifton-based Jacobs Enterprises oversees 1.25 million square feet of retail, office and residential space.

"Very creative and very energetic," Jacobs said of Villa. "She does a first-rate job. She’s worked with my company ...with great success."

The retail comings-and-goings are on her radar. For each departure — Starbucks and Quizno’s among them — there are new arrivals, such as Brick City Coffee and Port 44 Brew Pub.

In the Newark downtown area encompassing the 07102 zip code, the retail vacancy rate stood at 28.2 percent at the end of the second quarter, according to the CoStar Group, a Washington, D.C, data-research company,

"The opportunity people may overlook," she says, "is that there are spaces available near the $375 million asset, Pru Center, (and) 55,000 students and faculty, same as Cambridge, Mass."

From her 474-square feet of offices at the glistening tower of 744 Broad Street, Villa departs for the streets wearing a pink shirt with white dress collar and pinstripe pants, not to mention comfortable canvas slip-ons. "I have the banker top anyway," she quips.

Some of her listings aren’t so well-attired.

"The difficulty is the physical disrepair of the places I have to show," says Villa, who has a standard request of clients. "Please give me a rendering. It will help me lease the building."

She does, in fact, have a rendering of the old Paramount Theater, which still retains its classic art deco facade, vertical Paramount sign and Newark marquee on Market Street. Today, its lobby houses small retailers on month-to-month leases in front of a shell of a moviehouse. Tomorrow, maybe, it could be a $100 million "Paramount at Four Corners," pictured in a flyer with a residential tower reaching skyward from behind the facade of the old theater and adjoining buildings owned by Morris Shasho.

"I don’t know," Villa says when pressed on whether the dream will ever become a reality.

But she does know the retail and commercial interest is ever-present. "The city with the greatest potential, seriously," she says of her urban digs.

Within the past 18 months or so, she has scouted downtown locales for everyone from Panera Bread bakery-cafes (near the Four Corners) to Clearview Cinemas (at the Paramount.) "I’m pretty convincing, and I’m not the average Joe," she says. "I show them Newark is not the execution-shootings that sadly make the news."

Soon, she is conversing on the street with her Square Foot colleague, broker Lance J. Diggs, who coincidentally is about to show space to John Brown, who is hoping to move his hair salon closer to the arena’s action. "What works for our business," Villa says, "is we’re always johnny-on-the-spot."


http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/201...apes_newa.html


Remember how the Native Americans were given alcohol and their land was stolen?

I see more and more non residents of Newark buying property in Newark especially in the neighborhoods.

Shootings and murders will end in Newark, otherwise, people would not be investing in and moving to Newark.

[5Reasons]

Case, please learn how to read critically. It is an important skill to master as an adult. The lady, as talented as she is, still misses on far more than she hits. And while her work his valuable, even she knows that Newark cannot be transformed...this is why she asks for "renderings." Most of the blocks in the DT were built during a different era for different industries and a different population. Most of the blocks are in disrepair and it would be cheaper to destroy and rebuild. As constructed, Newark's DT will always unperform because it overly caters to low-income folks and not Newark's middle class.

Case, I don't know what planet you're living on because most of the "buyers" in Newark are investors, not actual home owners. Home ownership in Newark hasn't budged and, in fact, has gone down. The folks that are purchasing properties are looking to get some welfare family so they can make their money doing the Section 8 hustle. Beyond that they will illegally convert the place by adding additional units. I bet a thorough inspection of Newark's housing would reveal something like 10% have some sort of illegal conversion or an excess of folks living in it.

You can convince yourself that murders will stop, but all the elements that drive crime and murder are THRIVING. The murders, shootings and killings are the end product of a system. A system of poor education, thriving gangs, drug dealers and sellers. A system where folks continue to buy into the myth that there is a quick hustle, that they can Nino Brown their way to a better future. We've had 25 years of open air crack dealing and smoking and one generation after another generation of young black men continue to fall for that empty promise.

I see you have that lottery ticket mentality. Truly sad...but it is YOUR life.

[CaseClosed]

Originally Posted by 5Reasons

Case, please learn how to read critically. It is an important skill to master as an adult. The lady, as talented as she is, still misses on far more than she hits. And while her work his valuable, even she knows that Newark cannot be transformed...this is why she asks for "renderings." Most of the blocks in the DT were built during a different era for different industries and a different population. Most of the blocks are in disrepair and it would be cheaper to destroy and rebuild. As constructed, Newark's DT will always unperform because it overly caters to low-income folks and not Newark's middle class.

Case, I don't know what planet you're living on because most of the "buyers" in Newark are investors, not actual home owners. Home ownership in Newark hasn't budged and, in fact, has gone down. The folks that are purchasing properties are looking to get some welfare family so they can make their money doing the Section 8 hustle. Beyond that they will illegally convert the place by adding additional units. I bet a thorough inspection of Newark's housing would reveal something like 10% have some sort of illegal conversion or an excess of folks living in it.

You can convince yourself that murders will stop, but all the elements that drive crime and murder are THRIVING. The murders, shootings and killings are the end product of a system. A system of poor education, thriving gangs, drug dealers and sellers. A system where folks continue to buy into the myth that there is a quick hustle, that they can Nino Brown their way to a better future. We've had 25 years of open air crack dealing and smoking and one generation after another generation of young black men continue to fall for that empty promise.

I see you have that lottery ticket mentality. Truly sad...but it is YOUR life.

or saving myself as you said when I see others investing in and moving "to" Newark.

Violence is almost everywhwere...America was built on violence, so where do you suggest I move?

[CaseClosed]

Originally Posted by 5Reasons

Case, please learn how to read critically. It is an important skill to master as an adult. The lady, as talented as she is, still misses on far more than she hits. And while her work his valuable, even she knows that Newark cannot be transformed...this is why she asks for "renderings." Most of the blocks in the DT were built during a different era for different industries and a different population. Most of the blocks are in disrepair and it would be cheaper to destroy and rebuild. As constructed, Newark's DT will always unperform because it overly caters to low-income folks and not Newark's middle class.

Case, I don't know what planet you're living on because most of the "buyers" in Newark are investors, not actual home owners. Home ownership in Newark hasn't budged and, in fact, has gone down. The folks that are purchasing properties are looking to get some welfare family so they can make their money doing the Section 8 hustle. Beyond that they will illegally convert the place by adding additional units. I bet a thorough inspection of Newark's housing would reveal something like 10% have some sort of illegal conversion or an excess of folks living in it.

You can convince yourself that murders will stop, but all the elements that drive crime and murder are THRIVING. The murders, shootings and killings are the end product of a system. A system of poor education, thriving gangs, drug dealers and sellers. A system where folks continue to buy into the myth that there is a quick hustle, that they can Nino Brown their way to a better future. We've had 25 years of open air crack dealing and smoking and one generation after another generation of young black men continue to fall for that empty promise.

I see you have that lottery ticket mentality. Truly sad...but it is YOUR life.

would be shocked he's paying me to write and I don't know how to think critically.

Nice try when you don't have a legitimate response.

[yeah33yeah]

It almost looks like you're being sarcastic when you post, the way you believe anything thats on nj.com

my family's been in newark for generations and its always been bad, there will always be areas where poor people struggle and do f*cked up sh*t for money

every mayor/candidate newark or any other rough city has had, always promises a decrease in crime

crime statistics go up and down like the stock market, unpredictable, they're not controlled by politics

i bet the average gang banger out there doesn't even know who booker is, nor think about him for one second when he pulls the trigger

if roughly 200 cops are going to be laid off, just expect it to get way worse from here (the dept is already ridiculously short staffed)

[CaseClosed]

1 Washington Park Gets New Look & New Tenants

Wow…what a year it has been for the 1 Washington Park office building here in Newark. Around this time last year, the nearly thirty year old office building opened its doors to the Rutgers Business School.

The interior of the building where the school resides was beautiful and the school was outfitted with leather sofas and numerous LCD TVs.

The clear glass entrance way and stock ticker were also nice addition to the building but yet, something was missing. Aside from the big red “1″ at the top nothing really made the building stand out as being a part of the University. As a matter of fact, for over a year whenever I passed the building on Rt. 280 I always thought of it as just another office building.

As of a few weeks ago all that has changed and now the Rutgers Business School logo is proudly displayed. Who knows maybe one day the RBS building will become a staple of the Newark skyline along with the Prudential Building?

Along with the new sign comes a new tenant and a big one at that in the NFL Alumni Association. As first reported by NJ.com, the NFL Alumni Association officially relocated to Newark by way of Florida in July.

While there won’t be any draft days being held in Newark, the Alumni Association is vital to NFL players after there careers on the gridiron have ended. The group handles things such as pensions and works with researchers from around the globe to help prevent and treat concussions.

This is certainly a huge boom for Newark. To be honest with the way sports franchises have operated lately, I wouldn’t have been surprised if they had opened their headquarters somewhere in New York City. Instead, the group choose Newark as its new home. NFL Alumni head George Martin had a lot to do with the venue choice as he is a New Jersey resident himself.

So now Newark has its own NBA team, NHL team, an MLS team nearby and an NFL organization. The only thing left is an MLB ball club or an affiliated minor league team. Wishful thinking right?


Donny Says:
August 29th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I am in the Ironbound right now having lunch, taking my kid to the WWE show at The Rock afterwards.

Newark is rising as a city, don’t let the negative media and city council fool you.

I think the new RU Biz School sign looks great.

http://glocallynewark.com/2010/08/1-...k-new-tenants/

Case: If I thought for a moment there wasn't hope for Newark in the present and future, I'd be the first to pack up and leave. But when I see people moving, building and buying properties in Newark, I know Newark is on the rise.

[CaseClosed]

When I typed in construction worker, I found 129 jobs in or near Newark, New Jersey...


http://jobs.pluslocal.com/hiring.php...w=newark%20job



Newark’s Riverfront: Rust, Rivets, & Rebirth

http://glocallynewark.com/2010/08/ne...ivets-rebirth/


A little Hollywood in Newark

http://glocallynewark.com/2010/08/so-excessive/

[CaseClosed]

they have no chance for success in Newark...

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=...+star+academy#


http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/vid...R5&FORM=LKVR10


Robert Treat Academy

At Robert Treat Academy Charter School we all agree to the following:

•Respect yourself: Do only those things that will help you to achieve a successful and healthy future.

•Respect others: Use the lifeskills and lifelong guidelines to work with other students and all adult staff members.

•Respect property: Take care of your things and take care of those things which we share.
School wide rules and procedures are outlined in the Student/Parent Handbook:

1.Attend school daily and come on time. There is late detention and exclusion list. Students who are tardy to school or between classes will be excluded from extra-curricular activities. (including but not limited to sports, dances, Cadet Corp etc.)

2.The school dress code must be followed. Wear appropriate school clothes. No Bandanas (any color) are allowed. No slippers or flip flops (see handbook). Hats may not be worn inside at anytime. Baseball caps must be worn forward.

3.No students are allowed out of class the first 10 minutes or the last 10 minutes of the period. Students must follow sign out procedures in all classrooms and carry a pass when leaving any class.

4.During passing period you must move quickly and quietly to your next class. Go to your locker and use the restroom during passing periods.

5.Be prepared to work everyday. Bring your notebook(binder), lined paper, school planner, pens, pencils, ruler, required textbooks and whatever equipment is required for learning to class.

6.Do your homework nightly. There is homework detention and homework help.

7.Eat only in the designated eating areas. Only water is allowed to drink in class and healthy snacks with teacher permission. Gum and sunflower seeds are not allowed on campus anytime.

8.Do not bring radios, walkman, beepers, scooters or games to school. If seen or used on campus your parent/guardian will need to meet with the Assistant Principal before they will be returned.

9.Keep your backpack and locker organized and your classroom and school clean.

10.Do not engage in physical or verbal violence. Play fighting and fighting are not allowed and may result in up to five days suspension. Use your lifeskills and lifelong guidelines to problem solve and learn to disagree without being disagreeable.

11.Respect the building. Do not graffiti or deface any part of the building.

12.Bring your ID to school everyday and be prepared to show it to any adult in the building who requests it.

http://www.roberttreatacademy.org/studenthandbook.html

[CaseClosed]

The 2010 Newark, NJ, population is 282,148. There are 11,857 people per square mile (population density).

Family in Newark, NJ

The median age is 33. The US median is 36.8. 41.56% of people in Newark, NJ, are married. 7.34% are divorced.

The average household size is 2.85 people. 15.13% of people are married, with children. 20.20% have children, but are single.

Race in Newark, NJ
27.46% of people are white, 50.17% are black, 1.42% are asian, 0.47% are native american, and 20.48% claim 'Other'.

32.96% of the people in Newark, NJ, claim hispanic ethnicity (meaning 67.04% are non-hispanic).

Housing In Newark...

The median home value in Newark, NJ, is $179,590. Home appreciation is -15.11% over the last year. The median age of Newark, NJ, real estate is 51 years.

Newark, NJ Apartments and Rentals
Renters make up 66.06% of the Newark, NJ, population. 13.20% of houses and apartments in Newark, NJ, are unoccupied (vacancy rate).

Voting in Newark...

75.91% of the people in Newark, NJ are registered as Democrats. 23.40% are registered Republican. Remaining are independent: 0.00%.

[CaseClosed]

Newark, NJ, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 7. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 4.

Newark, NJ, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 5. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 4.