Stakeholders Develop Work Plan for Lower Broadway Commercial Market in Newark, NJ
Published: November 30, 2009
During the spring and summer of 2009, MetroEdge worked with La Casa de Don Pedro and a steering committee of stakeholders (including neighborhood residents, merchants, members of Newark City Council, Newark UEZ, Newark Police Department and funding partners) to assess the neighborhood market and set discrete goals for the commercial district revitalization effort. A defined trade area was identified, correlating to the catchment areas of a Lower Broadway “convenience retail” market. The assessment also included over a dozen individual interviews with businesses owners, three roundtable discussions with both merchants and consumers, and driving and walking tours of the neighborhood to assess paths of transit and the relationship of business in the neighborhood to each other and to the competition.
Top Findings:
*Significant thru traffic both by car (over 20,000/week) & on bus (over 43,000/week)
*Significant pending & proposed investments in streetscape improvements (over $2m)
*Regional destination for Latino & African products and services and comparison furniture shopping
Top Challenges:
*Need for Greater Diversity of Stores
*Perception/Reality of Crime
*Storefronts and Street lacking curb appeal
Top To-Do’s on Workplan:
*Improve Store Cleanliness/Clutter Inside Stores
*Improve Street Appearance
*Improve community safety within the district and surrounding streets
*Improve convenience of parking for customers
*Improve signage of local businesses.
Related documents available for download:
Report Executive Summary
Posted in Projects