Title
Dept/ Agency: Engineering
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Support Resolution
Purpose: Supports the Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA) for the Route 21, Newark Riverfront Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Project
Location: Park Pl/Center St between Mayor Kenneth A. Gibson Blvd (Broad St) and Route 21
Additional Information:
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WHEREAS, the City of Newark, Department of Engineering has proposed to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections along Center Street and Park Place between Broad Street and McCarter Highway (Route 21); and
WHEREAS, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) has been a project team member with the City of Newark (“City”) (“project team”); and
WHEREAS, the project team held one (1) local official meeting on February 26, 2024 and one (1) stakeholders meeting with City representatives on February 28, 2025, to provide project information and receive comments and input on the Route 21 Newark Riverfront Pedestrian and Bicycle Access project (“Project”); and
WHEREAS, the project team conducted two (2) Public Information Center (PIC) meetings -- one held in person at the YMCA facility on April 11, 2024 and the other conducted online on July 29, 2025 -- to inform the public about the Project, and to solicit comments and input; and
WHEREAS, the project team maintained a dedicated project website to further assist the public in obtaining information and updates regarding the Project; and
WHEREAS, based on the alternatives analysis and the public and municipal comments, the project team’s recommended Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA) referred to as Alternative 3: Corridor Improvements (Full Build), is a complete build project to provide protective bike lanes and to improve pedestrian crossing extending the median on north of Broad Street and replacement of aging traffic signals equipment; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to complete the Local Concept Development (LCD) phase and proceed to the Local Preliminary Engineering (LPE) and Final Design (FD) phases of the Local Capital Project Delivery (LCPD) program; and
WHEREAS, to qualify to receive federal funding for the LPE and FD phases, a Newark Municipal Council Resolution of Support endorsing the project is required and will be included in the LCD study documentation.
NOW, THEREFOE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Mayor of the City of Newark and the Newark Municipal Council hereby support the Preliminary Preferred Alternative (PPA), Alternative 3: Corridor Improvements (Full Build) to provide protective bike lane and improve pedestrian crossing extending the median on north of broad street and replacement of aging traffic signals equipment.
2. The City of Newark is not required to provide funds for this project.
STATEMENT
This Resolution is a Resolution of Support indicating the Mayor of the City of Newark’s and the Newark Municipal Council’s supportfor preliminary preferred alternative, Alternative 3, to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections along Center Street and Park Place between Broad Street and McCarter Highway (Route 21).