Groundbreaking Planned for $10M Mulberry Commons, Newark

On Sep 29, 2017

Ground is expected to be broken this Monday on the $10 million Mulberry Commons project in Newark. The project is recognized as a milestone in Newark’s economic development, creating a new center of gravity in the city’s growing downtown and unlocking the long ignored development potential of Newark’s Penn Station, one of the nation’s busiest rail hubs.

Edison Properties, the City of Newark and the Prudential Center Arena are developing the more than 22 acres of vacant land around the Prudential Arena creating Triangle Park. It will include public, open-spaces and much desired commercial and residential units, all of which will boost Newark’s tax base. Also included in the project will be a 1/2 mile-long footbridge providing easy access between Newark’s Peter Francisco Park in the Ironbound section of the city, Newark’s Penn Station and the Prudential Center Arena.

The City of Newark is overseeing the project, while the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation will manage the design and development of the park’s public, open-space and footbridge. Edison Properties and J&L Parking Corporation will oversee development of the commercial and residential units.  In February 2015, the Newark City Council unanimously passed legislation paving the way for development.

Mulberry Commons draws upon “living system” concepts including responsive landscape, walkability, urban lifestyle, and ecological performance. Leading the design efforts for the six of the project’s 22 acres is the award-winning architectural firm Sage & Coombe Architects and Supermass Studio Landscape Architect. The open space development will also open up a vast area of undeveloped land to residential and office development.

Expected to attend the event are: Mayor Ras J. Baraka, the Newark Municipal Council, Acting Deputy Mayor/Director of Economic and Housing Development Carmelo Garcia, Newark Community Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Aisha Glover, the Newark Downtown District, J&L Properties, Sage and Coombe Architects, Prudential Center, and Edison Properties.

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