Groundbreaking Set For New Retail, Residential Complex In Newark
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - A new development is under way in Newark.
As WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported, a massive grassy lot at the corner of Springfield Avenue and Jones Street where high-rise brick housing projects once sat will be transformed into what's billed as Springfield Avenue Marketplace.
The new development will include a 152-unit market-rate apartment building and a ShopRite supermarket.
Groundbreaking Set For New Retail, Residential Complex In Newark
"Quite frankly, when I talked to people in that community, they wanted a ShopRite there," retail workers union leader Charles Hall, Jr. told Putney.
Residents voiced their opposition to Walmart, which had considered opening a location at the development but pulled out.
"It wasn't about Walmart. It was about bringing good jobs in the community that elevate people," said Hall. "Granted, it's big, it's huge. But also, you want a responsible employer there and you want good jobs in the city of Newark where people could take that step and move to another step."
He said the union jobs and grocery options at the ShopRite will be more of a benefit to the neighborhood.
The 11-acre site will feature 125,000 square feet of retail space when it's complete.
Gov. Chris Christie and Senator-elect Cory Booker were to help break ground for the development Thursday afternoon.
Just last week, Whole Foods announced it signed a contract to open in Newark.
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