28 Aug ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO ANNOUNCES PURCHASE OF 320-321 UNIVERSITY AVENUE IN NEWARK; FORMER BANK BUILDING TO BECOME DFAB HEADQUARTERS
Published on August 28, 2019
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. announced that Essex County has purchased the office building complex located at 320 and 321 University Avenue in Newark. The 150,000 square feet of space will become the new headquarters for the Essex County Division of Family Assistance and Benefits. The offices are scheduled to be opened by July 2020.
“We are always looking at initiatives to improve upon our delivery of services to our customers and save taxpayers money. Consolidating our DFAB operations in one location will create a comprehensive and accessible one-stop center for those receiving public assistance. In addition, with the county purchasing the former bank buildings, we will save about $6 million a year in rent previously being paid to lease space at 18 Rector Street,” DiVincenzo said. “This is a win-win for both our customers and employees who will have modern spaces to conduct their business,” he added.
“The County Executive recognizes the importance of helping those in need and providing an appropriate space that matches the 98 percent timeliness rating achieved by the employees at DFAB. Essex County is always redesigning, but as improvements are made we are not forgetting the purpose of Putting Essex County First,” NJ State Senator and Deputy Chief of Staff Teresa Ruiz said.
“This building means everything for our employees and the families we assist,” Freeholder Len Luciano said.
“To be honest, our current location at 18 Rector Street is not as welcoming a space. This is a more warm and welcoming building,” Freeholder Tyshammie L. Cooper said. “When this building originally opened as an MBNA call center, it was the symbol of Newark revival. Today it is symbolic of our commitment to support the families who need assistance. This will impact so many lives,” Essex County Citizen Services Director Anibal Ramos said.
“Our officers see about 13,500 families a month, who come when they are experiencing the most challenging times of their lives. We are proud to have reached a 98 percent timeliness rating and thank our County Executive for investing in this modern facility for our employees and creating a more welcoming facility for our customers,” Division of Family Assistance and Benefits Director Kecia Burnett said.
“I have great respect for the employees of this division because they see clients when they are at their neediest. This modern building will provide modern space for our employees to meet with their clients,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.
“My first job was as a social work for the Essex County Welfare Board. This building will not only provide a wonderful work area for our employees, but will provide dignified space for the people we serve,” Deputy Chief of Staff William Payne said.
Essex County purchased the two buildings that are connected by a walkway bridge over University Avenue for $26 million. Located in Newark’s downtown, 320-321 University Avenue is just across the street from the Historic Essex County Courthouse and there is a magnificent view of the courthouse from the third-floor cafeteria. The building is accessible by NJ Transit.
Essex County currently leases office space at 18 Rector Street in Newark for its DFAB offices. Through the years, the county has expanded to additional floors in the building as more space was needed to conduct operations. The County currently leases the entire building and pays about $6 million a year in rent. The County also leases parking spaces in several parking lots to provide parking spaces for employees.
In addition to 18 Rector Street, DFAB offices are located at the Essex County Hall of Records at 465 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Newark and the Essex County One-Stop Center at 50 South Clinton Street in East Orange. As part of the consolidation, all DFAB offices will move to 320-321 University Avenue with the exception of the call center, which will remain at 50 South Clinton Street.
The complex at 320-321 University Avenue also includes an underground parking garage, an above ground parking garage and surface parking lot that can accommodate a total of 446 vehicles. Acquiring these parking spaces will save Essex County from having to lease parking spaces for employees in private parking lots.
At 19 years old, 320-321 University Avenue is a relatively new building. However, the layout of the floors is being retrofitted to accommodate the offices and work flow of DFAB. Flooring, HVAC and electrical systems also are being modernized. It is anticipated Essex County DFAB will relocate to its new headquarters in July 2020.
Aecom from Clifton received a professional services contract for $650,000 to design the improvements to the building. John O’Hara Company from East Orange was awarded a publicly bid contract for $15,002,802 to perform the construction work. The Department of Public Works will monitor the project to ensure delays are avoided.
The now defunct MBNA opened the office buildings in 2001, which at the time was the first new office space created in the City of Newark in a decade. MBNA later merged with Bank of America, which continued operations at the site until 2013.