Title
Dept/ Agency: Offices of Municipal Council/City Clerk
Action: ( ) Ratifying (X) Authorizing ( ) Amending
Type of Service: Ceremonial Street Designation
Honoree: Marshall E. Cooper
Date(s): Friday, July 24, 2026
Official Street Name(s): Commerce Street and Mulberry Street
Ceremonial Intersection Name: Marshall E. Cooper Way
Sponsor: Council Member Luis A. Quintana
Additional Information:
Ceremony scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 24, 2026.
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WHEREAS, Ordinance 6PSF-f, adopted on May 20, 2015, authorizes the designation of an intersection, etc., for honorary and ceremonial purposes; and
WHEREAS, Marshall E. Cooper, who became one of Mayor Sharpe James most important and effective Administrator, was born and raised in the City of Newark and a proud product of its Public Schools System, attending and graduating from Bragraw Avenue School and Weequahic High School; and
WHEREAS, Marshall E. Cooper, “Coop” as he was affectionately known, attended Kansas Wesleyan University in Witchita, Kansas where he continued his high academic achievement, earning both his undergraduate and graduate degrees while receiving the Dean’s and President’s list award for outstanding academic accomplishment; and
WHEREAS, upon his return to Newark, Marshall began working in the James Administration, and his unique talents proved invaluable to the City’s burgeoning redevelopment programs, and he quickly became the “go-to-guy,” serving in crucial administrative positions and directing major government agencies, including Urban Redevelopment, Neighborhood Services, Property Management, the Sanitation Department and providing the groundwork for many of Newark’s ongoing innovative housing and redevelopment programs; and
WHEREAS, highly-respected throughout the Greater Newark business community, Marshall served on numerous Boards and Commissions including the Newark Central Planning Board, the Essex County Utilities Authority, Downtown New Jersey, Inc., WBGO Radio, Weequahic Alumni Association, Branch Brook Park Alliance, Connection Newark, Newark Downtown District and numerous other civic and professional organizations; and
WHEREAS, the numerous contributions attributed to the late Marshall E. Cooper to the Newark community is immeasurable and truly worthy of recognition.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, THAT:
1. The Municipal Council does hereby authorize the honorary and ceremonial renaming of the intersection of Commerce Street and Mulberry Street as Marshall E. Cooper Way”.
2. The official name of said streets shall remain as Commerce Street and Mulberry Street, in its entirety.
STATEMENT
This Resolution authorizes the naming of the intersection of Commerce Street and Mulberry Street, “Marshall E. Cooper Way”, for honorary and ceremonial purposes.