Newark: City on the Rise

As the third oldest city in the United States, Newark is the gateway to New Jersey and serves as the Garden State’s financial, historical and cultural center. Located only 5 miles west of Manhattan, Newark has a population of roughly 273,000 and is home to one of the country’s largest shipping ports and the busiest airport in the tri-state area.

Arts and Culture

Home to the Newark Symphony Hall and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark is the prime destination for art lovers looking to take in breathtaking dance, theatre, and orchestra performances from both the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the New Jersey State Opera. Art lovers frequent The Newark Museum which prides itself on providing “unforgettable experiences in the arts and natural sciences,” and stop in at the many galleries and art exhibits around town.

In recent years, Newark has undergone significant revitalization that began with the construction of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and has culminated in the construction of two sports arenas, the Prudential Center and the Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium. Sports fans can now enjoy minor league baseball and major league hockey in these state-of-the-art facilities.

Community

As the most diverse city in the state of New Jersey, Newark is home to people of African-American, Ecuadorian, Latino, Haitian and Brazilian descent, and boasts the largest Portuguese population of any city in the country.

The city is divided into five wards – North, East, South, West, and Central. These five wards are home to 20 different communities, all united in their commitment to family and a strong desire for positive change within their communities, a desire that is often evident in various events throughout the city led by activist and community based organizations.

Related Links:

The New York Times: Real Estate

Transportation

Newark Penn Station, the city’s public transportation hub, serves the Newark Light Rail and City Subway, New Jersey Transit commuter rail, Amtrak long distance trains to Philadelphia and Washington DC, the PATH rapid-transit line to New York City, and local, regional and national bus services.

Higher Education

Home to Essex County College, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Seton Hall University, Rutgers University's Newark campus, and the University of Medicine and Dentistry, Newark prides itself on its diverse educational offerings.

Newark in the News

Often referred to as a “City on the rise,” Newark is a city that is undergoing a remarkable renaissance in business, the arts, and quality of living. Under new leadership, and a renewed sense of possibility, Newark’s impressive gains in the fight against crime has garnered the attention of our country’s top Politicians and Philanthropists including President Barack Obama, Mayor of the District of Columbia Adrian Fenty, Mayor of New York Michael R. Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey, Brad Pitt, and Documentarian Forest Whitaker, among others.

Links of Interest:

Mayor

Cory Booker

Ward Representatives

Councilman Anibal Ramos Jr., North Ward
Councilman Augusto Amador, East Ward
Councilman Oscar S. James II, South Ward
Councilman Ronald C. Rice, West Ward
Councilwoman Dana Rone, Central Ward
Councilman Carlos M. Gonzalez, At-Large
Councilman Luis Quintana, At-Large
Councilwoman Mildred C. Crump, At-Large

Government websites:

City of Newark: http://www.ci.newark.nj.us/
Newark Public Schools: http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/

Local publications:

Newark Star Ledger: http://www.nj.com/starledger/