Newark Eyes Historic Building for Police HQ Amid Court Battles

NEWARK, New Jersey — NJ Transit is considering relocating its police headquarters to a historic building in downtown Newark. The site, located at 2-14 Ferry St. and 372-374 Market St., is the former Ironbound Trust Co. bank, built in 1910. NJ Transit has offered $6.6 million for the property, but negotiations are currently entangled in court due to eminent domain proceedings.

The building, currently owned by Paramount Assets, was last occupied by a 7-Eleven and a Blink Fitness center. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka praised the renovations planned for the site in 2018, emphasizing the importance of repurposing historic structures to create vibrant community hubs. “We are creating a residential, retail and commercial hub,” he said.

The move is prompted by NJ Transit’s efforts to preserve Newark Penn Station while expanding its facilities. Currently, NJ Transit Police operate from 6,000 square feet within the station. “We need them out to create a larger concourse,” CEO Kevin Kolluri explained. The new facility is expected to support the safety needs of New Jersey’s public transportation network.

Meanwhile, NJ Transit is entangled in another legal dispute over two properties in Ridgefield Park, where the agency plans to build a $536 million Northern Bus Garage. The properties involved are valued at $55.5 million, but both NJ Transit and the property owner are appealing the price determined by a judge.

Kolluri stated that it is essential to balance the funding between various projects, including expanding bus capacity at Newark Penn Station. “I think we should do all of it,” he remarked. The agency continues to reassess its budget as it moves forward with these key developments.

As these projects unfold, NJ Transit is set to improve its service while navigating complex legal frameworks surrounding its infrastructure expansion efforts.