NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — Queen Latifah and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka attended a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday for a new 76-unit housing development in the city.
The development, called Rise Living, is part of a larger revitalization of the area which will transform several properties along 19th Avenue, South 16th Street and South 17th Street into modern housing and mixed-use spaces.
"Newark is ours, it's yours and I don't want people to think they can't live in their own communities," Mayor Baraka said.
BlueSugar Corporation, a real estate development firm co-founded by Newark native Queen Latifah, partnered with two other firm, Life Assets Development and Gonosa, for Rise Living.
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"I drove past this block I saw what was needed," Queen Latifah said. "I saw houses they weren't lived in ... some were dilapidated. I thought why not here."
The new building will feature a fitness center, business center, electric vehicle charging stations and ground floor parking spaces.
Along with the amenities, the building will also include a slew of modern additions including touchless entry, free Wi-Fi in all common areas, online portals for maintenance and rent payments, washers and dryers in units, hardwood floors, green roofs in some units, air conditioning, and stainless steel appliances.
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A 1,900-square-foot space will be reserved on the ground floor for non-profit organizations.
Sixteen of the units will be set aside as affordable housing with market-rate rents starting at $1,800 per month.
The building will be located at 650 Springfield Avenue where work has already begun. Pre-leasing is scheduled to begin in July.
