Title
Dept/ Agency: Economic and Housing Development
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Resolution Endorsing
Purpose: Support of University Hospital’s Transformative Project
Additional Information:
RESOLUTION OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK SUPPORTING THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL MOB BUILDING PROJECT AND REQUESTNG THAT THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY CONSIDER THE PROJECT TO BE A TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT, PURSUANT TO THE ASPIRE PROGRAM.
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WHEREAS, University Hospital (“UH”) is New Jersey’s only public academic medical center and serves as a major healthcare anchor institution for Newark, Essex County, and the broader region; and
WHEREAS, UH is the principal teaching hospital for Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, a regional referral center, a safety-net hospital, and a Level I Trauma Center; and
WHEREAS, through its clinical, academic, emergency, trauma, and community health functions, UH plays a central role in delivering care to some of New Jersey’s most diverse, medically underserved, and economically vulnerable communities; and
WHEREAS, UH is proposing the development of a new Medical Office Building on its Newark campus as a major early phase of its long-term campus modernization and Master Plan. The project is expected to be a 100% commercial medical office/ambulatory healthcare facility of approximately 340,000 Gross Square Feet; and
WHEREAS, the MOB is anticipated to include multi-specialty outpatient clinics, ambulatory surgery center uses, academic medical and dental program space, administrative and support functions, and clinical training/workforce development space; and
WHEREAS, the project is intended to function as a major outpatient healthcare hub for University Hospital and its academic and clinical partners; and
WHEREAS, the MOB will also advance UH’s broader Master Plan vision of “Community Care, Advanced Medicine” by supporting the modernization of an aging public hospital campus and strengthening Newark’s University Heights/ Medical District as a healthcare, higher education, and life sciences hub; and
WHEREAS, the proposed MOB will be located on University Hospital’s Newark campus as part of the broader Master Plan for campus modernization; and
WHEREAS, the Master Plan identifies the need to replace, modernize, and right-size existing facilities, improve circulation, and create a more open and welcoming campus environment; and
WHEREAS, the site is part of a larger campus transformation strategy intended to better connect UH, Rutgers, and the surrounding Newark community; and
WHEREAS, in order to help fund the Project, UH intends to apply to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (“NJEDA”) for tax credits under the Aspire Program; and
WHEREAS, UH is requesting the City’s support for the Project as a “transformative project” in accordance with the Aspire Program.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The City hereby supports the Project and determines that it shall be a benefit to the City as it increases the City’s housing stock, including much needed affordable housing and healthcare, provides additional investment in art, entertainment, cultural and educational facilities and programs, creates local employment and business opportunities and provides infrastructure improvements within the City.
2. The City hereby requests that the NJEDA deem the Project as a “transformative project” pursuant to the Aspire Program.
3. This Resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This Resolution provides the City’s support for the University Hospital Project and requests that the New Jersey Economic Development Agency consider it to be a transformative project in pursuant to the Aspire Program.