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DrixxYBoat OP t1_j3sq1yn wrote

https://www.instagram.com/p/CnPZNu9ucI2/?igshid=NDk5N2NlZjQ=

I work in the area so I've had access to it while they've been redeveloping the gateway concourse over the past few months.

I don't really feel like the concourse is ready for "prime time" but it's been nearly a ghost town for the limited businesses that are open.

The business folk don't give a damn about drinking a coffee and sitting down in the concourse lounge areas. They're always beelining straight to where they're tryna go, probably home.

I remember reading about how those bridges were built with public funds, so it's against the law to keep the public outside.

I'm curious as to whether they played a role in the decision, but I digress.

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NewNewark t1_j3szsi5 wrote

That was my post. I emailed my council member and city hall. Have followed up every month. They have completely ghosted me.

Note that the requirement was 24/7, so if they close on weekends or 6pm they're still stealing public land.

Edit: Yup, look at their response

>The Mulberry entrance is open Monday through Friday from 6am-7pm

Dont let the greedy developers steal our public spaces folks. This was built by taxpayers for public use.

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DrixxYBoat OP t1_j3t79bg wrote

Wow! The contract being 24/7 is insane. Can I ask who your representative is? I'd like to call them out on it if ever given the chance as I run into these guys sometimes.

Moreover,

A main concern expressed to me during my travels is definitely the homeless. People wouldn't want them seeking shelter here because then it will ruin the area. Objectively speaking.

Of course, there's a greater problem at hand which is, why do we prioritize material things over human lives? We're okay with people freezing to death as long as it's out of sight and out of mind.

I personally don't want this place to be overrun by the homeless, but clearly we're not doing enough to fix the homelessness issue. People wouldn't overrun this place if they had a warm place to sleep at night. The streets are very scary.

In any case, I'm sure even with this place being open to the public, the police presence will be heavy, and they'll target individuals who are seen as "problematic".

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NewNewark t1_j3t7wsq wrote

> Can I ask who your representative is? I'd like to call them out on it if ever given the chance as I run into these guys

McIver, LaMonica
Graham, Nikki
Phillips, Ursula

>A main concern expressed to me during my travels is definitely the homeless. People wouldn't want them seeking shelter here because then it will ruin the area.

There have always been homeless people. It didnt stop the walkways being open for 40 years. It only closed when a new company bought the towers and decided the rules don't apply to them and/or the city of newark agreed to throw out the easement without telling us.

>A main concern expressed to me during my travels is definitely the homeless. People wouldn't want them seeking shelter here because then it will ruin the area.

They can easily enforce no loitering and no sitting on the floor rules, as they used to.

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tintedglassvoice t1_j3xwigm wrote

Isn’t the gateway center in the east ward? Would it help to contact Silva’s office too?

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NewNewark t1_j3y8054 wrote

AFAIK central/east line is the train tracks which makes it central ward (also where I live)

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tintedglassvoice t1_j3ygutr wrote

I wasn’t sure, so I looked it up.

You’re right, it goes to the train tracks, except for a weird cutout section.

Because of that cutout, Gateway isn’t in the Central Ward. Basically, City Hall to some border including Market, Clinton, and Raymond is a part of East award.

https://libguides.rutgers.edu/ld.php?content_id=60045375

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NewNewark t1_j3yrj7x wrote

Who the fuck designed this shit, and why didnt McIver tell me when I contacted her office multiple times?

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DrixxYBoat OP t1_j3y7d96 wrote

Agree on all points.

I never got to experience gateway before the renovations, so I can only make assumptions based off of what I've seen.

I'm familiar with LaMonica. If I run into her I'll ask for answers.

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Nwk_NJ t1_j3tkfni wrote

Just have them move along. It's not that serious. Dont allow them to camp out in there. Closing the space is BS

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Juicey_J_Hammerman t1_j3t19vz wrote

I actually walked through it recently on the way back from work on the mulberry street side. It’s really nice. Only the pharmacy, Dunkin, and Jersey mikes are open rn but it looks like the Fresh N Co, Uncle Willies Wings, Chip City, and Farinella have exterior signage up and look relatively close to opening soon.

Looking forward to walking through it en route to a Devils game come playoff time! knocks on wood

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VaMoInNj t1_j3t2cc6 wrote

>knocks on wood

Great. Just what he needs after going down in practice yesterday. /s

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Juicey_J_Hammerman t1_j3t2ij5 wrote

That joke got a Hughes laugh from me!

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VaMoInNj t1_j3t2r6b wrote

Jack or Luke?

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