ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO AND GOVERNOR CORZINE
UNVEIL PLANS FOR A NEW PARK PLAZA AND PUBLIC PARKING GARAGE
AT THE HALL OF RECORDS COMPLEX
Plaza will Provide Much Needed Open Space and Garage
will Improve Access for Jurors and Visitors
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. joined with Governor Jon S. Corzine on Wednesday, November 1st to unveil plans to create a new 2.7-acre park plaza and construct a state-of-the-art 1,000-space public parking garage at the Hall of Records complex in Newark. The partnership between the County and State will provide the progressive development of much-needed open space and a modern parking facility for jurors and visitors to the government complex.
“The Hall of Records complex is surrounded by a vibrant community that includes the Society Hill residential development, our Vocational School, St. Benedict’s Prep, Essex County College and University Hospital. It is a thriving neighborhood that will benefit immensely from the newly created Park Plaza that will bring much needed open space for passive recreation and enjoyment,” DiVincenzo said. “I thank the governor for understanding the unique needs of Essex County and helping us improve our residents’ quality of life,” he added.
“This 2.7-acre park and 1,000-space garage will improve the quality of life for the people of Newark and Essex County and extend access to the county’s halls of government,” said Governor Corzine.“And these improvements represent the forward momentum of Essex County’s renaissance.I’m proud that the state has partnered with the county to make these plans a reality,” he added.
The park plaza will be created on the 2.7-acre parcel in the northern section of the Hall of Records complex where the current two-story parking deck is located. Built in the 1960s, the old parking deck has become obsolete and will be razed to create the passive park. Funding for the parking deck demolition and development of the area will be provided through a grant from the New Jersey Green Acres program.
“I am excited today about plans for this park, but also for the parking garage. You are freeing up areas of the city that can be used for a better use – and that’s a park for the community,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson. “Parks are essential for respite, recreation and quality of life. Within walking distance of the plaza site are thousands of people, adults and children whose lives will be enhanced immeasurably by the county's vision,'' she added.
A modern public parking garage will be constructed in the eastern section of the Essex County Jurors’ Parking Lot near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The three-level structure will accommodate 1,000 cars and will be designed to fit in with the architecture of the Hall of Records. Essex County will issue a 20-year bond to finance the construction of the Parking Garage and the NJ Department of Transportation will provide annual funding to offset the debt service and financing costs from its Local Transportation Fund. An additional 500 spaces outside of the garage will be located on the surface parking lot.
"I applaud County Executive DiVincenzo for his vision in modernizing the Hall of Records complex by providing a passive park and new parking structure," said NJ Department of Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri. "I am pleased that the Department of Transportation was able to help achieve DiVincenzo's vision and look forward to helping to improve Essex County's transportation system and quality of lifein the future," he added.
A unique feature of the Parking Garage will be a walkway over 13th Avenue connecting it to the New Courthouse building. This bridge will make it more convenient and less confusing for jurors and visitors. The bridge will connect to the first floor of the New Courthouse and provide direct access to a new jurors’ waiting room. The new jurors’ room is part of a separate improvement project that already is underway in the New Courthouse. Several courtrooms are being remodeled to expand and provide modern office space for Superior Court and relocate the current jurors’ room from the fourth to the first floor of the New Courthouse.
“The new Parking Garage will improve access to our county government buildings and alleviate the confusion jurors and visitors have when they come to our complex,” DiVincenzo noted.
The County has issued a Request for Proposals in anticipation of selecting an architect to design the parking structure and construction is to begin in the spring of 2007. The existing parking garage on Wycliffe Street will be demolished and the park plaza developed after the new structure is open.
Also attending the press conference and showing their support for the improvements were Senator Ron Rice; Assembly members William Payne, Sheila Oliver and Thomas Giblin; Sheriff Armando Fontoura and Prosecutor Paula Dow.
Revitalizing the Hall of Records Complex
Plans for the park plaza and parking garage are the latest steps taken by County Executive DiVincenzo to modernize and revitalize the Hall of Records complex.
In 2003, the County Executive directed employees from the Department of Public Works to refurbish the first floor lobby of the Hall of Records. A fabricated enclosure that housed metal detectors was removed and years of dirt and grime was removed from the gilded ceiling and marble walls to restore the lobby to its original luster. The area has become a showcase in the Hall of Records and cultural and holiday celebrations are regularly held there.
Simultaneously, the employee parking lot on West Market Street was reconfigured and repaved to provide an additional 50 spaces and enhance safety. A wrought iron fence was erected around the parking lot and lighting was upgraded.
The Historic Essex County Courthouse was reopened on December 29, 2004, after a comprehensive $49 million renovation and restoration project. Renovations had been stalled for 14 years when DiVincenzo took control of the project and completed the improvements in just two years. Historical features such as the building’s stunning architecture, beautiful murals and soaring skylights were preserved and restored, and modern electrical, heating, ventilation and communication systems were installed. Since reopening, the Historic Courthouse has been recognized with five local, state and national awards for historic preservation.
A comprehensive $1.6 million facelift to the entrance of the New Courthouse on Nelson Place was completed in January 2006. A new plaza was created between the New Courthouse and Hall of Records, and was dedicated as the Rosa Parks Plaza after the famous civil rights activist in April 2006. In addition, handicap accessibility was improved and landscaping was added to enhance the aesthetics of the area. New windows and doors were installed at the entrance of the New Courthouse.
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