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Newark: An Emerging LGBT Community & the Livable City
June 27, 2014 @ 3:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Free
Please RSVP to APA-NJ Northeast Area Representative
Jessica L. Giorgianni, PP, AICP at jgiorgianni@H2M.com
In the last ten years, more than $1 billion has been invested in new residential, commercial and mixed-use development in Downtown Newark. As new neighborhoods spring up, the City’s physical landscape, civic culture and demographic profile are rapidly changing, making Downtown Newark a 24/7 place to be. In step with the City’s development progress, Newark’s emerging LGBT community has made strides in transforming perceptions of Newark as a City that is safe for all people. This tour examines how planners in Newark are working with community stakeholders to bring back the Downtown, while cultivating a distinct, LGBT-friendly business and entertainment strip that can become a regional attraction. Come learn and see how a combination of zoning changes, infrastructure investments, financial incentives, and grassroots organizing has impacted the landscape of Downtown Newark and Newark’s LGBT community. During the tour, we will examine a number of questions, such as:
- How do LGBT organizing and urban revitalization overlap and complement one another?
- How has gentrification impacted Newark’s LGBT community?
- How can planners and economic development professionals work better with LGBT community leaders to leverage their respective efforts to create a vital and thriving place?
Tour Itinerary:
Meet and begin at Penn Station 3:30PM
Market Street and Mulberry Street: Championship Plaza
Gateway Complex and Prudential Arena
Arena and Edison Row
Creation of an Arena entertainment district, loss of gay bar
Broad and Market (stop at the LGBT vendor corner)
Crime, perceptions and coming development
Military Park
Park renovation and large-scale redevelopment
Halsey Street
Tour of local businesses and overview of Halsey Street initiative
Newark LGBTQ Center
Staff from Newark Planning Office, Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau, Newark LGBTQ Community Center and Newark Pride discuss ways that economic development efforts and LGBT community organizing can leverage each other
Happy Hour at 27 Mix 5:30PM
Enjoy free appetizers and drink specials until 8pm!
Events in blue are provided by other groups we’ve been asked to share with our membership.
Events in green are for topics regarding hazard mitigation and recovery planning.