22 Jan ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO OUTLINES PLANS TO DEVELOP NEW COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING AND PROPOSES TO NAME IT AS THE ESSEX COUNTY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BUILDING 150,000-square-foot Building to House Courtrooms and Constitutional Offices
Published on January 22, 2020
Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. was joined by Governor Phil Murphy on Wednesday, January 22nd as he outlined plans to construct a 150,000-square-foot office building at the Essex County Hall of Records Complex in Newark. In addition, DiVincenzo is proposing to name the building as the “Essex County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building” in honor of the legendary Civil Rights leader. The press conference was scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, which was January 15th, and the National Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, which was January 20th.
“Many of the visitors who come to the Hall or Records to conduct business or search for records have a difficult time navigating our hallways and finding the offices they need,” the Executive said. “When the Superior Court was looking for modern space, we realized this was an opportunity to create a state-of-the-art building where we could consolidate our Constitutional Offices and create an atmosphere that was more user-friendly. Visitors already are taking time out of their busy schedules to come to the Hall of Records; we want to make it as easy as possible to get to the office they need,” he added.
The new edifice will be constructed in the Jurors’ Parking Lot on the south side of the Hall of Records and the front entrance will be on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. It will provide space for 11 courtrooms for Tax Court and modern office space for Essex County’s Constitutional Offices, including the Clerk’s Office, Board of Elections, Superintendent of Elections/Commissioner of Registration, Surrogate’s Office and Board of Taxation. The MLK Building will include cafeteria space that will be large enough to accommodate the entire complex and will replace the current café on the Hall of Records third floor. A pedestrian bridge will connect the new building to the Hall of Records.
Regarding the naming of the building, DiVincenzo said Dr. King was the perfect choice. “Although he never was elected to office, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most dedicated public servants our country has witnessed, giving his life to help others and to promote equality and justice,” DiVincenzo stated. “I can think of no better person whose name should be on this building. More than half a century after his death, people continue to be inspired by Dr. King’s message and we hope they get that same feeling of confidence when they enter our King Building,” he added.
“The lessons taught by Dr. King deserve to be repeated. This building will be dedicated to the cause of justice and when someone enters this building to register to vote or cast a ballot, the cause of justice will be carried out. It will remind us all that our government depends on all of us doing our part,” Governor Phil Murphy said.
“I am taken aback by the ability of the County Executive to come up with projects to enhance services provided for our residents and honoring people who have done great things,” Congressman Donald Payne said.
“Striving for fairness is a fundamental mission of the court system. The construction of this building is an incredible opportunity to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy and his life’s mission,” NJ Courts Administrative Director Glenn Grant said.
“I applaud the County Executive for improving the aesthetics, enhancing accessibility and envisioning a building that provides the highest quality services for our residents. It is fitting that this building will honor Dr. King. I am proud of what this building will represent once it is operational,” said Freeholder President Brendan Gill, who was accompanied by Freeholder Vice President Wayne Richardson and Freeholders Tyshammie Cooper, Rufus Johnson, Robert Mercado, Carlos Pomares and Patricia Sebold.
“I am excited about this project that will be a terrific honor to Dr. King. Today’s announcement is another example of how we strive to provide services to our residents with dignity,” Deputy Chief of Staff William Payne said.
“The reality of Dr. King’s dream is being realized today as we continue to celebrate his legacy. This magnificent building will combine justice and service, which embodies what he stood for,” Essex County Democratic Committee Chairman LeRoy Jones said.
Comito and Associates from Newark received a professional services contract for $2,289,000 to design the building. A resolution to award a publicly-bid contract to construct the building is on the Freeholders’ agenda tonight (January 22nd). The Essex County Department of Public Works will monitor the project to ensure delays are avoided. The building is being funded through the Essex County Capital Budget and is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2021.
Essex County dedicated an 8-foot tall bronze statue of Dr. King and named a plaza after him in 2015. That original statue will be incorporated into the Dr. King Building. In addition, a new 16-foot bronze statue of Dr. King will be commissioned and placed at the front entrance to the building on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard.
The construction of the Dr. King Building is part of a multi-phase project to provide additional office space and modern working conditions at the Hall of Records Complex. Currently under construction is a new 900-car parking deck on West Market Street which will be utilized for employee parking. Also underway is the renovation of the two office buildings at 320-321 University Avenue in Newark as the new headquarters for the Essex County Division of Family Assistance and Benefits. Both of these projects are expected to be completed in 2020.
The ordinance to name the Essex County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building will be presented to the Board of Chosen Freeholders and reviewed at its January 22nd meeting.