On September 18th, Governor Murphy and Newark Mayor, Ras Baraka, broke ground on a $336 million redevelopment of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The redevelopment looks to revitalize the dying arts within New Jersey, specifically the Newark Region. The 12-acre renovation will see multiple buildings constructed along with two previous buildings being renovated. The project will also create a public park, community center, and mixed-income housing.

The first undertaking of the transformation took form in the redevelopment of the Chambers Plaza, and the full renovation is expected to be completed by 2027. The main aspects of the redevelopment will be the construction of The Cooperman Family Arts Education And Community Center, along with perhaps the biggest endeavor of the revitalization, The ArtSide, a mixed-use development, featuring 350 mixed-income residential units along with retail and art spaces. 

This $300 million gamble lives within the hopes of cleaning the tainted public perception of Newark that was left by the 1967 race riots. The potential influx of new citizens opens the door for a new era of the city-one that correctly represents the culture and life within rather than a biased and hurtful sentiment that has haunted the city for the past 60 years.