Winds of Change?

Winds of Change?

            Fifty years ago, in 1967, the nation was affected by a series of racial disturbances.  While most people remember the problems in Detroit, New Jersey actually had more than one “riot.”  The largest of these disturbances took place in Newark, the state’s largest city. 
Newark has never been the same and neither has New Jersey.  The state has witnessed a great polarization between urban and suburban communities and a new avoidance of the state’s largest cities.  Residential segregation is all but obvious with people of color living in the cities’ core and its oldest suburban rings.  Most white residents live in newer suburban areas or outside of the urbanized zones.
The decline of Newark has been explained by numerous sources including a fine historical work by Kevin Mumford and several important documentaries by Jerome and Marylou Bongiorno.  They have depicted the 1967 disturbance as a rebellion, in which a city was at war with itself.  And that although there was a transfer of political and social power, the city has been unable to regain its place as an important American city.
Unlike Professor Mumford, Marylou and Jerome Bongiorno are also residents of the city.  They have used their knowledge to try to rebuild the city by soliciting help and offering ideas for change.  One of the critical points that Mr. Bongiorno has raised is the city’s astronomical unemployment rate and the inability of the municipal and state governments to spur the creation of jobs.
Hopefully this is about to change.  The city of Newark and the State of New Jersey announced that Newark has applied for the chance to become the second national headquarters for Amazon.  There is bi-partisan support for this application with strong support from Governor Christie, US Senator Booker and Mayor Baraka.  The city has enough land for development and the state has offered $7 billion in tax benefits.
In many ways, this is a win-win for all parties.  Newark’s downtown is on the rise and there is development in many sectors.  During the last decade, the city has constructed a first-class sports arena and performing arts center.  Newark is an educational center, the home of a medical school, two nationally ranked law schools, a community college and two universities.  There is the promise of new stores-retail and grocery stores.  A new light rail system has unified neighborhoods and it is connected to local and national railroads. New office towers, restaurants, and hotels have emerged and Newark has a good transportation network, being connected to the nation along the important Northeast Amtrak corridor, by three interstate highways, three state highways, and the Port of Newark and Newark Liberty Airport.
The presence of Amazon HQ2 would create jobs, spur more urban development, and enhance the quality of life.  Amazon is promising at least 50,000 jobs.  The state’s recent decision to end decades of state control of Newark’s schools is also a timely development, and that might also breath more life and civic involvement and investment in the school district.
While there are fears that Amazon’s presence might lead to massive gentrification, there is a great degree of confidence in Ras Baraka, city’s young mayor to satisfy the fears of the current residents.  Local residents are largely in favor of the proposal and there is a great sense of hope and optimism.
It is obvious that the other applicants for the headquarters can equally offer resources to Amazon, but in reality, this is a game changer for the city, county and state.  In many ways, the entire Tri-State area will benefit from the location of Amazon in Newark.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

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