WHAT'S NEW IN DOWNTOWN NEWARK?

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DOWNTOWN NEWARK GIFT CERTIFICATES

DOWNTOWN NEWARK PARTNERSHIP RELEASES SECOND EDITION OF
DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR DOWNTOWN NEWARK
 

The Downtown Newark Partnership (DNP) is pleased to announce the release of the second edition of its Design Guidelines for Downtown Newark (PDF File).  The original Guidelines document was published in 1997, largely in response to construction of several large buildings on Main Street, that caused concern about the scale and mass of new construction be in keeping with the small-town appeal and uniqueness of Newark’s downtown area.  The Guidelines were written to encourage the use of design elements appropriate to downtown Newark’s building patterns and streetscape, so that new and old construction would blend well. 

 

“Newark’s streetscape is eclectic and interesting, as no two buildings are alike, and collectively reflect 300 years of Newark’s history,” said Assistant City Planning Director Maureen Feeney Roser.  “Each building was built for a different purpose, each with unique architectural elements.”  With these factors in mind, the DNP Design Committee was careful to develop the Design Guidelines to allow for the substantial creativity necessary for unique and distinctive buildings to be built, but also to ensure that the Guidelines would encourage preservation and attractive, pedestrian-friendly design. 

 

The Design Guidelines are a tool for developers.  They are not a legislated design review process for the City of Newark.  The Guidelines are intended to foster good design by providing vital information to potential developers about the design elements appropriate for downtown Newark.  Newark Planning Department shares the Design Guidelines with anyone interested in developing in downtown, and has done so since they were first published in 1997.  Likewise, the Design Committee also offers to meet with any interested developers on a voluntary basis to review and comment on their development plans.  “This voluntary approach has worked well.  Several new buildings have been constructed in keeping with the Guidelines over the last ten years; the best example being the Center Square building at Main and Center Streets,” Feeney Roser said. 

 

The Design Committee decided to revise the Guidelines not only to encourage appropriate design, but also in order to add more formality to the design review and evaluation process, while maintaining its voluntary nature.  “The standardized process will insure that each project is evaluated in a consistent manner, so that applicants know what to expect during the review, and the Planning Commission and City Council fully understand how a project is evaluated by the Design Committee when we come before them with a recommendation either for or against a particular project,” said Design Committee Chairman Joe Charma.

 

You may obtain a copy of the Design Guidelines of Downtown Newark (PDF Format) by contacting the Newark Planning Department at (302) 366-7030.
 

 

ON-LINE DNP GIFT CERTIFICATE SYSTEM GIVE CUSTOMERS THE GIFT OF CONVENIENCE

             The Downtown Newark Partnership launched a new on-line service this month that makes purchasing Downtown Newark Gift Certificates possible with the click of a button.

Until now people interested in purchasing gift certificates, which are accepted at more than 70 shops and restaurants on Main Street, were only able to do so at specific locations in the Downtown area. Purchases can still be made in person, but DNP administrator Maureen Feeney-Roser says the new on-line option offers customers a greater level of convenience and makes the certificates more accessible to the public.

Since the program’s inception four years ago, the DNP has sold more than $40,000 in gift certificates and marketing data shows that interest in the program continues to rise. 

            “The certificates are already very successful and have done a lot to further downtown businesses” says Feeney-Roser. “But we noticed a real desire from customers to be able to shop on-line and we wanted to try to keep pace with that demand and make our process more customer-friendly.”

Feeney-Roser notes that the new service is only one part of a general DNP effort to make Main Street more accessible on-line. Last month, the city registered the three new domain names: eatdowntownnewark.com, shopdowntownnewark.com, and enjoydowntownnewark.com. The new addresses route all Internet traffic directly to the DNP website where customers can explore information about Main Street businesses, learn about approaching DNP events, or utilize DNP services such as the new on-line purchasing system.

On-line purchases can be made in denominations of $5, $10, $20, or $25 using Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express credit cards and offers customers the option of sending the certificate directly to the intended recipient.  As always, in-person purchases can be made at the Downtown Newark Parking Office at 45 E. Main Street (2nd Floor), Formal Affairs at 127 E. Main Street, and Village Imports at 165 E. Main Street in Trader’s Alley, and in the Planning Department of City Hall at 220 Elkton Road.

For more information about purchasing Downtown Newark Gift Certificates call the City Planning Office at (302) 366-7030 or check out the DNP website at any of the following Web addresses: eatdowntownnewark.com, shopdowntownnewark.com, or enjoydowntownnewark.com.