[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 118 (Friday, July 31, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2151-E2152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          GOOD NEWS IN NEWARK

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, like all urban centers, my home city of 
Newark faces many challenges. We are working hard to improve the 
quality of life for residents by moving forward in the area of 
affordable housing and health care, better schools, child care, and 
services for seniors. We are also proud of the fact that Newark 
welcomes visitors not only from other parts of our state, but also from 
around the nation and the world. As we continue our successful economic 
development efforts, I would like to draw to the attention of my 
colleagues here in the U.S. House of Representatives an article which 
highlights the good news for Newark.

  Newark at Night: It's Not a Surprise Anymore That the City is Alive 
                               After Dark

(Posted by Philip Thomas, Lawrence P. Goldman and Jeff Vanderbeek/Star-
                Ledger Guest Columnists, July 09, 2009)

       Not too long ago, something you wouldn't necessarily have 
     thought of happened in Newark. It was extraordinary.
       On a crisp November evening, a sold-out house of 2,800 
     people filled Prudential Hall at the New Jersey Performing 
     Arts Center for a stunning concert by The 5 Browns, a family 
     of Juilliard-trained, young virtuoso pianists, along with the 
     New Jersey Symphony Orchestra.
       Just down the street, another 19,000 people were doing 
     something that happens in every

[[Page E2152]]

     great American city, but hadn't in Newark for quite some 
     time--attending a major league sporting event; in this case, 
     a rousing hockey game where the New Jersey Devils skated past 
     the Toronto Maple Leafs by a score of 3-2.
       It was just a few days after the Prudential Center opened 
     in downtown Newark and it was the city's first test of how it 
     would move multiples of thousands of people through downtown 
     streets. Newark passed with flying colors. And it was the 
     first of many electrifying nights with multiple venues alit 
     and Newark abuzz with activity.
       Just recently, Newark Symphony Hall played host to a 
     daylong conference on reimagining its future. What became 
     clear through the day is the unmistakable rebirth of Newark 
     at night. There can no longer be any doubt. Newark is alive 
     and kicking up its heels at night and on the weekends.
       For quite some time, the Newark Museum and Symphony Hall 
     were in a lonely vanguard. There was little life in the 
     downtown core and Newark's lingering reputation from years 
     past did not help. Too many office workers raced out of the 
     city at night, almost never touching city sidewalks because 
     of the hermetically sealed tubes between the towers, the 
     parking decks and Penn Station.
       Happily, though, much has changed in the last decade. Like 
     Cleveland and Pittsburgh, two similar cities formerly down on 
     their luck, we have seen real change in Newark and it is 
     exciting to be a part of it.
       Since opening night, NJPAC has attracted some 6 million 
     visitors, the vast majority in the evening and on weekends. 
     As we like to say, ``That's 6 million people coming to the 
     building that wasn't going to be built in the city that no 
     one was going to come to.''
       Similarly, since opening less than two years ago, 
     Prudential Center has drawn nearly 3 million visitors to 
     Newark, virtually all at night or on the weekend. As we like 
     to say, ``That's 3 million people coming to the Rock that 
     couldn't be built in a city that no one would dare come to.''
       In fact, even in the worst economy in three generations, 
     Devils attendance is up almost 15 percent from their best 
     year in the Meadowlands. Perhaps more important is how long 
     their fans are staying--on average over an hour longer than 
     they did at the Meadowlands. That means they are dining at 
     Newark restaurants and spending more time--and money--in the 
     city.
       Newark Symphony Hall is poised to experience a resurgence. 
     The recent conference was a promising start. Its vibrancy is 
     essential to enlivening the south Broad Street end of Newark 
     and creating stability for not only the visitors, but for the 
     people who reside in the neighborhood as well.
       This bodes well for the housing and commercial development 
     that is picking up steam and for continued economic 
     investment in this part of the city. If Newark is to sustain 
     its momentum, the entire length of Broad Street must become 
     the centerpiece of significant redevelopment to elevate 
     Newark to the next level of visitor interest.
       Combined, last year nearly 2 million visitors came to spend 
     an evening in Newark attending events at the three venues. 
     But there is more we must achieve.
       In Cleveland, for example there are now six successful 
     theaters in Playhouse Square and the Quicken Arena brought 
     LeBron James and the Cavaliers from the suburbs to the city. 
     The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has enticed tourism from far 
     beyond Cleveland. What was once a desolate downtown is now 
     delightful. Hotels, office development and retail followed.
       That's what we are aiming for in Newark. We have world-
     class facilities. We have fine restaurants--many of them 
     brand new and participating in Newark's second annual 
     restaurant week this month--and entertainment venues that dot 
     the area around NJPAC and the Prudential Center, but we are 
     not finished.
       Cities are meant to be filled with all kinds of people 
     coming together to celebrate, relax, revel and enjoy one 
     another. That's now happening big time in Newark today. And 
     that's very good news for all of us in New Jersey.

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