Grand Opening of Harmony Square in North Ward

Officials celebrated Wednesday the grand opening of the Apartments@Harmony Square, a $10.2 million rehabilitated housing development in the Newark's North Ward that will house victims of domestic abuse and single mothers.

The 16 market-rate condominiums, 10 of which will go to whom Mayor Cory Booker called the city's "most vulnerable" residents, were developed by M&M Development LLC, a women-owned real estate firm based in Newark.

The Harmony Square housing development, located at 98-102 Broad St., is comprised of two mid-rise buildings containing 20 to 21 condominiums and two duplexes, each containing two condominiums. Other phases of the project include 45 newly constructed condominiums, 12 of which will be affordable and 33 "emerging market" homes, all for-sale.

Green elements, like solar panels on the roof to provide energy to common areas within the building, were incorporated into the housing development and during its construction.

"The renovation of this building – a building that has been boarded and blighting and the source of all kinds of negative activity – will create an anchor for a number of great developments in this community, including new affordable condominiums across the street and the repair of other dilapidated buildings," said Michael Meyer, the city's director of housing and real estate. "It shows that significant community change can come one home, one family, one building at a time."

The project was largely funded by a $1.9 million loan from the state Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency's Special Needs Trust Fund over a 30-year mortgage. Brick City Development Corporation (BCDC) provided a $100,000 loan from its Bonding Assistance Fund. Under the fund, paid apprenticeships and mentoring for start-up firms as well as subcontracting opportunities for minority- and female-owned companies in Newark will be available.

Funding for the project also came from the Essex County Home Funds, City of Newark Home Funds and a City of Newark grant.

"The City of Newark and Brick City Development Corporation provided grants and loans to help make this project happen, and we are proud to have Newark families living here today," said Deputy Mayor of Economic Development Adam Zipkin, who also serves as chairman of BCDC.

Tenants of the 10 units will be selected with the help of social service organizations in Newark like The Apostle's House, Safe House and Covenant House.

Ivory Keith, a soon-to-be tenant of Harmony Square, said she's eternally grateful for having a safe home for her three-month-old baby. Keith came to Newark from Miami when she was six months pregnant and had nowhere to stay.

"I am so grateful that Covenant House took me in. They provided me with a great deal of support throughout my pregnancy and I’m now working on getting my GED," she said. "I feel like my life is turning around now for the better and this apartment will help me provide my 3-month old baby with a safe home."

– Staff reports