A two-tower development that would rank as one of the largest investments in Downtown Newark is officially in limbo for a bit following a war of words between developers who own other properties in the area.
During their March 24 meeting, Newark’s Central Planning Board heard an application for a project known as Mulberry Pointe. The land sits in the heart of Downtown and spans just about 1.1 acres; the properties include 7-9, 11, 13, and 15 Beach Street; 313-315 Mulberry Street; 50-52 East Kinney Street; and 36, 38, 42, and 44 Orchard Street.
A city report describes the land as an “extremely irregular tract,” and that’s probably an understatement. Other entities own the land surrounding the proposal, and the surface parking spaces that make up those properties would remain under the proposal.
KS Group and GIGA Holdings are pitching the development. They are behind several of Newark’s biggest projects, including the Summit Tower and 380 Central Avenue. INOA Architecture, which has worked on plans for several towers in Newark, including Halo and the Summit Tower, designed Mulberry Pointe.
Plans presented to the board during the meeting call for a three story-podium over two 51-story mixed-use towers. A total of 1,008 dwelling units are included in the plan, which would comply with Newark’s 20% affordable housing requirement and create 203 affordable units.
The residences break down as units break down as 146 studios, 537 one-bedrooms, 283 two-bedrooms, 42 three-bedrooms. The first tower would have 427 units, while the second tower would have 581 units.
388 valet parking spaces are included in the plan, with vehicular access to be provided from Orchard Street through an ingress driveway. The second and third levels of the podium will be used for vehicle parking including stacked parking equipment.
The street level would sport approximately 3,500 square foot commercial space along East Kinney Street, while an outdoor garden and walking path will link the towers on the roof of the podium. Amenities would be featured on the top of the podium as well as recreational spaces on the 51st floors of both towers.
The building podium is proposed to be a reinforced concrete material with metal panels,
storefront, and glass accents at the street-facing facades. The upper tower is proposed to be a glass curtain wall.
An underground water detention basin for stormwater control would be in the basement at the project, which would build all new curbs and sidewalks as part of the work. The development is located within the Living Downtown Redevelopment Plan and complies with height and density requirements.
Several more minor variances will be needed before the development can move forward related to insufficient off-street parking, exceeding maximum front yard setback, insufficient sidewalk width, and excessive driveway width.
Architect Murat Mutlu stressed during his presentation to the board that property owners can still potentially build high rises on their nearby lots under the plan, but not everyone was in agreement.
Attorney Rob Simon, who represents Paramount Properties and other nearby owners, objected to the development during the meeting, claiming improper public notices that did not include details of the project were provided.
Attorney Calvin Souder, who represented the developers of Mulberry Pointe during the meeting, argued that the board should hear and vote on the proposal and let the objectors take the developers to court for a legal challenge. Souder additionally claimed during the meeting that the objections stem from a failed land sale that was allegedly in place between the parties.
The Central Planning Board nonetheless went ahead and allowed Simon to cross-examine Michaela Maguire from Stonefield Engineering, which caused the meeting to get a bit contentious. The matter was eventually adjourned to the board’s April 7 meeting after over an hour of cross-examination.
Officials on the board noted that the agenda is full for that future meeting, so a special meeting will likely be held at a later date to decide the fate of Mulberry Pointe.
