Newark Residents, PSEG Butt Heads, Then Make Up With Art Project

NEWARK, NJ — On the surface, it may seem like a simple public art installation. But the massive outdoor wall mural on the Fairmount Heights PSE&G switching station on Littleton Avenue in Newark also represents an encouraging compromise between angry community members and New Jersey's largest provider of electric and gas service.

Earlier this week, local community members, elected officials and PSE&G staff unveiled a massive outdoor wall mural on the Fairmount Heights PSEG switching station in the city’s West Ward. A diverse group of 14 artists – some from Newark and some from overseas – pitched in to create the inspiring display of urban art.

But just as important as the art is the power that lies on the other side of the wall. Here’s what city officials had to say about the switching station, which became fully operational in March 2018:

“The Fairmount Heights switching station is part of PSE&G’s response to Superstorm Sandy, and will relieve the projected transmission overloads and provide emergency backup to PSE&G’s Newark switching station. The station is also a prime example of the kind of system reinforcement that became apparent after Super Storm Sandy flooded a number of electrical stations along waterways such as Newark Bay. Since this site is located inland, this station — had it been built before the storm — could have helped keep the lights on in Newark for thousands of customers.”

PSE&G said that Newark residents were hired to do more than 30 percent of work on the station, resulting in career opportunities such as securing union books and completing valuable training in construction site management and safety.

According to PSE&G:

“Contractor Joseph Jingoli & Son partnered with local community organizations and elected officials to identify potential employees, ultimately hiring eight West Ward residents to work on the project. In addition, more than $12 million has been put into the local community through local contracts, material purchases and other spending. Local, minority-owned architectural and construction project-management firm WSM Associates and CHC Construction are the architect of record and project management firms respectively.”

A final wave of landscaping at the switch station is expected to be installed this summer, PSE&G stated.

“Together with the people of Newark, we created more than a wall to protect people and equipment… we created a canvas,” said David Daly, PSE&G president and COO.

But the creation of the station – and the art that graces its wall – was the result of some serious compromising.

“This project, which was important for improving Newark’s electrical infrastructure, sparked enormous community opposition that we turned into a very positive partnership,” said Rick Thigpen, PSE&G vice president of state governmental affairs.

Vivian Cox Fraser, president and CEO of the Urban League of Essex County, said that the organization was pleased that it was able to forge a “productive partnership” with PSE&G after Fairmount residents expressed concerns about the station's effects on the neighborhood.

“The substantive changes to the station design, inclusion of local artists and contractors and additional community investments demonstrate that they listened,” Fraser said. “The final result is a reflection of the Fairmount Heights Neighborhood Association’s leadership and PSE&G’s corporate citizenship.”

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called the deal a win-win situation.

“The Fairmont Heights switching station shows what can be accomplished when all involved parties, including those in conflict, come to the table to collaborate on solving a difficult problem," Baraka said. "West Ward residents get amazing artwork, beautification of the wall and surrounding area and remediation of contaminated soil left by previous occupants. All residents benefit from more jobs for Newarkers and contracts for minority and women-owned businesses. The City of Newark gets additional tax revenue and a modernized electrical infrastructure, and PSE&G gets better redundancy and reliability of their system and backup to their existing Newark switching station.”

• See related article: Parking Lot Art Sprouts In Newark: PHOTOS
• See related article: Newark's Diverse Arts Scene Generates Big Bucks For City, Study Says

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Photos: City of Newark

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