Free Parking for the Holidays!
December 17, 2012
Enjoy dowtnown without having to pay for parking now through December 26, 2012. Happy holidays from the City of Newark!
South Main Street
Novemebr 20, 2012
If you make your way downtown around the end of December, you will notice a change. As of January 1, 2013, Elkton Road from West Main Street to West Park Place will become South Main Street. With Main Street traditionally seen as the downtown center, Elkton Road was often seen as where downtown ended. In actuality, Elkton Road has been part of downtown since City Council expanded the boundaries of the Downtown Newark in May of 2007 to include both sides of Elkton Road from West Main Street to Apple Road and more recently to West Park Place. As a result, properties along Elkton Road began to develop as an extension of Main Street! Newark City Council believes that changing the name of Elkton Road for this section of downtown will add to the success by associating it more closely with our national award-winning Main Street and will foster additional growth.
Coinciding with the name change is the completion of DelDOT’s multi-year project to widen and repave Elkton Road offering visitors a brand new road to drive on with beautifully landscaped medians, wide bike lanes, and sidewalks paved with red brick accents to signify you are walking in the downtown district. Many of the businesses on South Main Street offer convenient and free parking for their customers, and there are plenty of businesses on South Main Street to visit.
Over the last few years there has been a boom in the redevelopment of the newly named South Main Street with mixed-use buildings popping up attracting new businesses, restaurants and living spaces to downtown. The pedestrian-oriented street offers plenty of new space for businesses looking to open in downtown Newark and add to its fresh, hip, and energized reputation.
The next time you are downtown, take the opportunity to sample South Main Street and see how it has grown.
Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail Brings Alternative Means of Transportation to Downtown
October 30 ,2012
The long anticipated Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail officially opened in September. The trail was ten years in the making and a result of the City of Newark’s partnership with several agencies including DelDOT, Delaware State Parks, University of Delaware, and DART.
The two mile long trail, built along the former Pomeroy–Newark Rail Line, is unique in that it provides direct access to a commercial area – Main Street, the Newark Shopping Center, and the University of Delaware’s Laird Campus. The trail provides safe and convenient ways to reach businesses, parks, and transit. Providing an alternative means of transportation to the area is expected to have economic benefits in the area by serving a diverse group of people including students and shoppers as well as runners, walkers, and bicyclists. Additionally, the trail extends north through Newark into the White Clay Creek State Park and becomes another recreation corridor that encourages increased physical activity.
Making Delaware a healthier, more active, more vibrant and attractive place to live and work are critical elements of Governor Jack Markell’s Trails and Pathways Initiative, of which the Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail is part.
Halloween Parade & Trick-or-Treat Main Street Road Closure
October 16, 2012
City of Newark hosts the annual Halloween Parade & Trick-or-Treat Main Street on October 28 at 3:00 p.m. East Main Street will be closed from 2:40 p.m. to about 5:00 p.m. The street closure detours will affect traffic on Cleveland Avenue, Delaware Avenue, South College Avenue, Tyre Avenue, Park Place, and Chapel Street. Additionally, a portion of Delaware Avenue from South Chapel Street to Tyre Avenue will be closed until the parade has moved from its staging area at Newark High School.
9th Annual Taste of Newark a Success
October 1, 2012
Mayor Vance Funk's annual Taste of Newark event hosted over a thousand people enjoying the culinary delights of Newark's restaurants and sampling some of the best wines that area distributors and wine shops have to offer. "This was the best Taste ever," says Mayor Vance Funk. "It really showcases why Newark has become the premier location to wine and dine in the area." The event's special guest, Chef Jason Viscount from Bricco Restaurant in Harrisburg, treated guests to his Camelot Valley Ricotta Gnocchi cooking demonstration featuring mushrooms from Kennett Square. "Chef Jason is a very special person. His knowledge of ingredients and cooking techniques is incredible and we were very fortunate to host him at Taste of Newark."
The "Iron Chef"-style Battle of the Chefs showcased some of Newark's finest chefs pitted against each other to creat the most delicious and creative dishes using oxtail, the secret ingredient. Home Grown Cafe owner and Executive Chef Eric Aber along with Brian Mackey won the battle against Chef Andy Matulaitis and Jesse Jones of the Stone Balloon Winehouse, Chef Chantell Orellana and Jeff Brittingham of the Courtyard Newark at the University of Delaware, Chef Ryan German of Caffe Gelato Restaurant, Chef Rich Colliss of Cucina Di Napoli, Chef Jeff Matyger of the soon-to-be open Taverna Restaurant. Aber and Mackey won by two points with their marinated oxtail soft tacos.
Monies raised by the Taste of Newark are donated to Newark organizations including the Downtown Newark Partnership (DNP), University of Delaware's Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management (HRIM) School, UD Cheerleaders, and the Newark Symphony Orchestra. This year's event raised nearly $70,000. After the bills are paid, DNP and HRIM will receive approximately $25,000 each and UD Cheerleaders and Newark Symphony Orchestra will receive approximately $1,000 each. The balance will go to the Newark Arts Alliance for their role in the silent auction.
