Halsey Street and the Arts and Education District
We will work on the development of Halsey Street and the broader Arts and Education District as a nationally known, branded destination for arts, fashion, design, entertainment, culture, food, and drink, while serving as an engine of local wealth creation and ownership. Our strategy will necessarily be multifaceted, seeking to leverage State and federal development incentives, placemaking and marketing initiatives, and best in class pedestrianization, parking, lighting, and public safety solutions.
What is Halsey?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Halsey Placemaking
Halsey embodies the essence of Newark's rich history and vibrant future, anchored by its tagline, "A Neighborhood Built on Hustle and Heart." As the epicenter of Newark's downtown revitalization, the Halsey Corridor champions, community, and creativity. Rooted in the city's resilient spirit, Halsey celebrates its past while embracing its evolution into a dynamic hub for entrepreneurs, artists, and residents. The vision is clear: to preserve Newark's identity amidst growth, empowering locally owned businesses and fostering generational wealth.
Through a blend of cultural events, local commerce, and seasonal activities, Halsey beckons visitors and locals alike to experience its unique charm. Whether indulging in artisanal treats, exploring cultural institutions, or partaking in seasonal festivities, Halsey offers an inviting tapestry of experiences. Its accessibility via transit and proximity to Newark's attractions make it an enticing destination for all, promising a slice of urban life infused with Newark's distinct character and boundless opportunities for exploration and connection.
Newark Alliance’s Goal for Work on Halsey
Placemaking and Access to Equity
Newark Alliance’s unwavering goal is to collaboratively make Halsey Street a cultural capital of the United States, reflecting the culture and history of Newark, as well as a leading vehicle for inclusive growth, ownership, and wealth creation, building upon Halsey Street’s current array of home-grown businesses. An important component of achieving this goal is the support and advancement of placemaking projects that support Halsey Street as a local and regional destination and the production of events and programming. Anchor Halsey events and programming initiatives include:
Halsey Place Brand
Halsey Fest Events
Festivals United
Placemaking Investments (Halsey Street lighting and restoration of murals)
Halsey Place Brand Identity
For every placemaking process, place brand identity development and positioning is critical. The Newark Alliance’s first step was in collaboration with minority entrepreneurs operating businesses on Halsey Street and key community members, to define and develop an engaging place brand that will attract new entrepreneurs, large corporate organizations, and visitors to Downtown Newark and Halsey. The Halsey Place Brand Identity’s mission is to amplify the heartbeat of Halsey Street. It aims to put the spotlight on small businesses and local talent, fueling their growth while celebrating and valuing their stories. Through this place brand initiative, the Newark Alliance aspires to make Halsey Street a vibrant place where everyone is welcome, businesses thrive, and the community grows stronger together. We strive to make Halsey Street a hub for fresh ideas and entrepreneurial success, attracting new ventures that contribute to the vibrancy of the Halsey community.
Halsey Fest Events
- Inclusive by Design
Halsey Fest allows Newark Alliance and its partners to deliver on commitments to inclusive placemaking work that drives the equitable growth of Halsey Street. Join Newark Alliance in its mission to collaboratively make Halsey Street a cultural capital of the United States, reflecting on the diversity and history of Newark, as well as well as being a leading vehicle for inclusive growth, ownership, and wealth creation, building upon Halsey Street’s current array of home-grown businesses.
Intentionality in its inclusiveness to all Newarkers, from all Wards.
Providing programming that links the northern and southern ends of the Halsey Street corridor, anchored by both Tubman Square and Lincoln Park.
Amplifying local small businesses and local talent.
Multiple events allow for expanded programming, greater audience reach and increased spending with small businesses.
Festivals United - Collaboration for Impact
NJEDA ART Grant Award - $1,500,000
Coalition of 6 downtown festivals and the Newark City Parks Foundation
Each organization receives pro-rata allocation to support event planning and production
Plus $300,000 marketing fund to promote Newark as a year-round destination city for festivals and a regional and national destination for arts, culture, entertainment and discovering small businesses
Funding dispersed in 2024 to be expended by 12/31/26
Coalition enables cooperation in programming, feeder events and improving pedestrian traffic to commercial corridors beyond the festivals
Sharing of best practices and impact
The Future is Newark x Halsey Fest Recap Video
Halsey Street Festival Lights
-Enhancing a Sense of Place
Project Manager: Newark Downtown District
Funder: Newark Alliance (supported by Prudential grant)
Investment: $50,000
Halsey Street between New Street and Bleecker Street
Aligned with goals of Master Plan 360
Supports the vision of the Arts & Education District
Prioritize safe movement of all Newarkers
Support local small businesses
Collaborative effort from Newark Alliance, NDD, City of Newark, Department of Engineering, Council President LaMonica McIver, local businesses and property owners
Newark Food Network Project
-Transformative Placemaking
NJEDA Food Security Planning Grant Award - $112,000
Feasibility study to explore food network development
Redevelop a distressed asset/vacant space, catalyzing growth
Subject property: Ground floor retail at 180 Washington St. (Rutgers parking deck) corner of Washington St. and Raymond Blvd
“Hub and spoke” model: Downtown and neighborhood connectivity
Promote inclusive economic growth through food, examples include:
Public market
Destination/amenity
Food entrepreneurship
Workforce development
