Newark's Master Plan Taking Shape

Newark's master plan is taking shape, with feedback continuing to pour in about how to shape New Jersey's largest city in the coming years.

An array of details behind the were unveiled at two community workshops last Wednesday and Saturday at Central High School.

The biggest issue to tackle? How to maximize land use, according to Daniel Hernandez of Jonathan Rose Companies, the lead planning firm behind the plan.

"People are basically saying, 'We have lots of vacant property and we want them to be X, X and X,'" said Hernandez at the roughly three-hour workshop Saturday.

The master plan is a thorough, holistic guide to Newark's development and growth, with a focus on elements including urban design, utility service and infrastructure, businesses, open space and cultural resources. The last comprehensive master plan was done in 1990, with a reexamination conducted in 2009. The city's zoning laws have not been updated since 1956.

In July, across the city to gauge residents' concerns and collect feedback. With the help of a community advisory committee, Newark's Center for Collaborative Change and various consultants, that information was compiled, organized and presented at Wednesday and Saturday's meetings.

"We're letting (residents) know how comments are beginning to form the soul of the master plan," said Hernandez.

Around Central High School's gymnasium Wednesday and Saturday, giant maps and charts tacked up to walls revealed, in detail, goals, strategies and action plans for seven elements that make up Newark's master plan: Utility services and infrastructure, circulation and mobility, housing, business and industry, community, cultural and educational resources, historic resources, and open space and natural resources. (Details on each can be found on the master plan website.)

More than 75 residents meandered through the room, chatting with consultants at each station and jotting down ideas on how to improve their community. Ralph Devino, a born and raised Newarker who has a stake in commercial property in the East Ward, said he sees potential in the most industrial area of the city.

"We want to build the area up … right now, a lot of clean up should be done," said Devino. "The city does good at cleaning the streets but it's an area where people just dump whatever they want."

Across the room, a Central Ward resident, who identified himself as David, also had maximizing land use on his mind. A large vacant lot situated between Springfield Avenue and South Orange Avenue could be transformed into single-family homes as an extension of nearby Society Hill, he said.

The construction would "establish a middle class," he said. Or, the lot could be transformed into a retail site, like a Target or Shop Rite.

"We need to have more access to stores other than having to go outside the city," David said. "We're the largest city (in New Jersey) and we only have one supermarket."

Another community meeting will be held in late January or early February when the master plan is completed, said Hernandez. The entire process is slated to take one year.

More information about the master plan:

• City's master plan and the 2009 Master Plan Re-examination report
• Newark Master Plan website
• Newark Master Plan Facebook Page