Late last year, the Cherry Park Apartments development officially opened in Newark’s North Ward, near the Belleville border. Speakers at the grand opening event included Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Housing Development, Baye Adofo-Wilson, Councilman Anibal Ramos, Jr., and developer Dino Gaglioti.
Located at 170 Sylvan Avenue, at the southeastern corner of Summer Avenue, Cherry Park contains nearly 100 one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, 15 of which are designated as affordable housing. Exercise rooms, laundry facilities, and parking are provided on-site for residents. The Calello Agency manages the property.
According to the City of Newark, the project, which was originally proposed in 2012, cost $11.2 million. In February, the Newark Municipal Council authorized the developer, 4th Street-based Cherry Park Urban Renewal LLC, to receive an $800,000 grant through the Community Development Block Grant HOME Program.
Cherry Park Apartments is within walking distance of the North End Branch of the Newark Public Library, and Branch Brook and Belleville Parks. It is just one block away from the Mount Prospect Avenue business district, which includes churches, restaurants, the Pueblo Meat Supermarket, and a stop on NJ Transit buses 27, 74, and 99 to Irvington, Hillside Downtown Newark, Clifton, and Paterson. The Mount Prospect Partnership often holds community events in the area like car shows and holiday celebrations.
The property, which sits adjacent to abandoned train tracks, previously was a vacant lot, though, like many other North Ward tracts, was once used for industrial purposes. This development is the latest sign of a transition in the neighborhood from industrial to residential. Plans were announced earlier this year for a new seven-story apartment building along Bellair Place. The project was approved with conditions by the Newark Zoning Board of Adjustment on November 10th.
