Newark celebrates start to Mulberry Commons Pedestrian Bridge (slideshow)

Listen to this article

Work has begun to bridge the space between Newark Penn Station and Mulberry Commons in the state’s largest city, offering a direct route for pedestrians to Prudential Center and the Ironbound.

On Sept. 19, Mayor Ras Baraka, Gov. Phil Murphy, Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz, D-29th District, Newark Municipal Council members and others gathered in the park as “one of the most important redevelopment projects ever undertaken in Newark” enters its next phase, with the groundbreaking of the Mulberry Commons Pedestrian Bridge.

Continuing his remarks, Baraka highlighted the success of Mulberry Commons Park and set the stage for what comes next.

“With today’s groundbreaking, we enter the second phase, which catapults the metamorphosis of downtown into the full expression of a livable community,” the mayor said. “After decades of contemplating concepts and possibilities, Newark now cements a public/private collaboration to create a bustling habitat, dovetailing housing, employment, retail and entertainment. I’m proud and grateful to everyone who made this day possible.”

Beyond creating a distinctive civic landmark, the city says the project will help to spur economic development as well as attract significant direct investment and create jobs.

The access afforded by the structure will make the city more walkable — and green — improve the experience for pedestrians coming and going from Newark Penn, and help to make the station — which is set for its own $190 million update — into a state-of-the-art transit hub, Newark said.

“Indeed, by connecting Newark Penn Station and the city’s downtown, the Mulberry Commons Pedestrian Bridge will not only promote active and public transportation in our state’s most populous city, but simultaneously catalyze economic growth and development for generations to come,” Murphy said. “Most importantly, this bridge is a project that puts New Jerseyans and their quality of life first, connecting residents with vibrant community assets in one of our state’s most iconic neighborhoods.”

City officials also regard the project as a way to activate and enhance Newark’s status as a destination.

The bridge, which will connect commuters exiting the station to approximately 15 million square feet of office space, four higher education institutions and about 5 million square feet of industrial space, was described as a key piece in efforts to develop Newark’s central business district.

The walkway will also increase connectivity for other neighborhoods, like the Ironbound, to transit options and the city center.

“This bridge, set to link Newark Penn Station and the historic Ironbound neighborhood, represents more than just steel and concrete; it signifies progress, accessibility, and shared aspirations,” said Ruiz. “Mass transit connectivity, as proven time and again, is an economic engine that propels communities forward. It creates opportunities, fosters growth, and enriches the lives of our residents and visitors alike. The Mulberry Commons Bridge is a symbol of our commitment to advancing the well-being of our city.”

In addition to a 3.5% surcharge on parking authorized by Murphy in 2019 to generate revenue for the project, in November 2022, the city closed on $110 million Mass Transit Access Tax Revenue Bonds, resulting in approximately $103.7 million for the design and construction of the Mulberry Pedestrian Bridge. Since then, the city said the funds have been generating interest through the daily money market and via the purchase of eligible U.S. Treasuries, with a current approximate yield of 4.9% and 5.32%, respectively.

Those construction fund interest earnings will generate an estimated $5 million by the middle of next year to support the work, the city said.

Year to date, Newark said it has collected approximately $4.1 million in Mass Transit Access Tax revenue and that it is on pace to slightly surpass estimates from the 2022 parking study.

Reactivating retail

The launch of the Mulberry Commons Bridge work coincides with activity throughout the city, which includes the proliferation of housing options downtown; the establishment of an official arts district, anchored by the renamed Harriet Tubman Square park; and efforts from private and public partners to activate vacant spaces.

In addition to Audible’s Newark Squared program, designed to attract businesses and residents to the city through a series of incentives, at the beginning of the month, Baraka and Invest Newark, the city’s economic development corporation, announced an effort to populate the downtown area.

Developed with Bloomberg Associates, the Newark Retail Reactivation Initiative offers low- to no-cost financial assistance to businesses and nonprofits seeking to operate in the area bordered by Broad and Washington Streets between Washington Place and William Street.

Speaking about the program with NJBIZ, Baraka said that landlords were engaged throughout the process, and that a lot of folks were excited. He also touched on the collaborative nature surrounding the reactivation of downtown.

“We’re always in constant communication with these folks,” he said, regarding Audible’s efforts. “We know what they’re doing and … I think it really helps us to get the momentum we need with them doing the southern part and the city taking on” this effort, he said.

Invest Newark President and CEO Marcus Robinson touched on the program’s importance, which ties back in with efforts underscored by the pedestrian bridge project.

“Downtown is quickly becoming a neighborhood with a number of units that are under construction and I think it would be good for the entire city, really, if there are amenities and services in the city for the people that work and live there, to serve the growing population,” he told NJBIZ.

Under the program, business operators are eligible for up to $650,000 in support, depending on the square footage of the storefront. Those funds can be used for exterior or interior improvements, or to purchase furniture, fixtures and equipment.

According to Baraka, there is also an intentionality built into the program for the kinds of operators it is looking to attract.

“We’re really trying to fill up these spaces, particularly on Broad and Market … targeting diversely owned and smaller mom and pop” businesses. He said officials are “trying to create a different kind of feel and space” that matches the city’s unique and personal progress, so far.

“We don’t just want to fill them up with a bunch of … chain stores. We would like more diversity that goes along with what’s happening with the city already,” he said.

Marcus said there was flexibility built into the program, with no cap on the number of awards available.

“We want to see as many as we can fund,” he said adding, “We do have our eyes on 19 or 20 vacant storefronts downtown, but if we can do more than that certainly that’d be great.”

Additional details about the the Newark Retail Reactivation Grant, and the application, is available here.