Operations
Clean and Safe
The Newark Downtown District (NDD) remains committed to fostering a clean, safe, and welcoming environment for all who live, labor, and leisure in downtown Newark. Through the dedicated efforts of the NDD Clean Team, Special Projects Team, and Quality-of-Life Team, combined with strategic hiring and deployment practices, the NDD proudly supplements the services provided by the City of Newark.
NDD Clean Team
The NDD Clean Team works with property owners and partners to ensure downtown Newark is welcoming and clean seven days a week. Dedicated to maintaining a clean and inviting environment throughout the NDD’s 151 block maintenance footprint, the NDD Clean Team’s responsibilities include:
Sidewalk Cleaning: Sidewalk cleaning consists of regular sweeping and litter removal to ensure the cleanliness of sidewalks and public spaces. Each of the 151 blocks receives no less than two passes daily by an NDD Ambassador. Areas of greater pedestrian density—such as the Mayor Kenneth Gibson Boulevard (formerly Broad Street) and Market Street intersection and the downtown transit hubs—receive multiple passes by all NDD Clean Team shifts. Additionally, the NDD Team Leaders provide mobile checks of the areas, deploying additional staff as necessary. In an effort to further illustrate the NDD’s commitment to the City of Newark, the NDD added a new post-rush hour cleaning shift from the hours of 6:00 pm–2:30 am, Monday–Friday. This shift, which started October 2024, is staffed with a second-shift Operations Supervisor, Team Leader, and ten NDD Ambassadors who remove litter and debris from property line to curb line by pan and broom, and empty all NDD-branded waste receptacles.
Trash Collection Management: The NDD Clean Team Ambassadors continuously monitor and empty NDD-branded waste receptacles to prevent overflow and maintain the aesthetics of downtown Newark.
Public Property Graffiti Removal: The NDD Clean Team Ambassadors respond promptly to reports of graffiti on public property such as light poles, bus shelters, news boxes, fire hydrants, and transformer boxes, ensuring quick remediation to maintain the downtown’s visual appeal. In the case of graffiti observations on private property, the NDD contacts the property owner with a fee-for-service offering for graffiti abatement. If the property manager declines the offering, does not abate the observation, or is unresponsive, the NDD reports the observations to the City of Newark for follow-up and enforcement.
The NDD also monitors the City of Newark entryways that touch the NDD maintenance footprint. In cases such as these, the NDD reports observations to its partners at the City of Newark Department of Public Works for abatement. The consistent communication and collaboration between the NDD and the DPW is a necessary component of NDD Operations.
In 2024, the NDD Clean Team has increased the labor hours of cleaning operations, thereby expanding its reach by 21.23%. This has resulted in a noticeable improvement in the cleanliness and overall perception of the downtown environment.
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NDD Special Projects Team
The NDD Special Projects Team focuses on initiatives that enhance the downtown experience through large public property graffiti abatement, maintenance of NDD assets and street furniture, public fixture painting, and event set-up / breakdown for NDD programming. Key activities include:
NDD Pressure Washing Team Support (Sidewalk Spot Treatment and Fee-for-Service Offerings): The newly acquired Eco-Blaster portable pressure washer units allow the NDD Special Projects Team to quickly clean grease stains and debris in targeted areas, allowing the Team to prioritize pressure washing block faces in downtown Newark.
City of Newark Public Infrastructure Painting: During the peak season of 2024, the NDD Special Projects Ambassadors repainted the downtown’s decorative light poles, fire hydrants, and transformer boxes.
Public Property Graffiti Abatement (Large Observations): NDD Special Projects Ambassadors are trained and dispatched by digital work orders to abate public property graffiti observations that are too large for the NDD Clean Team. This allows the NDD Clean Team Ambassadors to prioritize pan and broom services for efficient sidewalk and curb line litter abatement.
Sidewalk Leaf Abatement: During Fall 2024, the NDD Special Projects and Horticulture Teams assisted the NDD Clean Team with leaf abatement throughout the entire maintenance footprint.
NDD Event Set-Up and Breakdown: This team is responsible for deploying NDD assets such as bistro and cast-iron seating, NDD-branded kiosks and tents, generators, and banners.
2024 Operations Highlights
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Pounds of Trash
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Graffiti Removed
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Trash Cans Cleaned
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Pedestrians Assisted
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Public Fixtures Cleaned
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Business Contacts
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Stickers Removed
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Snow Removal Hours
NDD Quality of Life Team
The NDD Quality-of-Life (QoL) Team is a specially trained team of professionals who address hospitality and safety challenges faced by the downtown community. Their initiatives include:
A Visible Safety Presence: Clad in French blue uniforms, the NDD QoL Ambassadors are dispatched Monday–Friday to the seven zones throughout the NDD maintenance footprint.
Coordination with Outreach Services: The NDD QoL Team provides information and referrals to the downtown’s residents without addresses (RWAs), compassionately directing them to support and resources from the City of Newark’s Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services, the City of Newark Homeless Outreach Team, and external service provider partners such as Greater Essex Counseling Services and Bridges Project Connect.
Community Engagement and Hospitality: The NDD QoL Ambassadors are required by the NDD’s standard operating procedure to have at least 12 business contact engagements per shift. This team also conducts NDD stakeholder surveys to gather feedback from residents and businesses, ensuring that their voices are heard in decision-making processes.
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The NDD Quality-of-Life Team has made significant strides in fostering a safe and inclusive downtown environment, which has improved community relations and increased satisfaction.
NDD Ambassador Program Hiring and Peak Season Training
In preparation for the 2024 peak season, the NDD implemented a robust hiring strategy to ensure adequate staffing levels. This includes:
Recruitment Drives, Job Fairs, and Group Interviews: The NDD actively sources candidates through local job fairs and community outreach programs to attract diverse talent.
Comprehensive Training Programs: The NDD provides thorough training to new hires, focusing on customer service, safety protocols, and operational procedures.
The NDD’s peak season training emphasizes hands-on experience, ensuring the NDD Ambassadors are prepared to meet the increased demands during busy periods. This approach enhances service delivery and fosters team cohesion.
Deployment Strategies
Effective deployment of the NDD Ambassadors is crucial to maximizing the NDD’s operational efficiency. Our strategies include:
Dynamic Scheduling: Utilizing data analytics to predict peak times and adjust staffing levels accordingly.
Cross-Training Staff: Ensuring that team members are versatile and can adapt to various roles as needed, promoting flexibility in operations.
This strategic deployment has resulted in improved responsiveness and service quality during high-traffic events and busy seasons.
Quality Assurance
To maintain high standards across all operations, the NDD has established a comprehensive quality assurance program that includes:
Regular Performance Assessments and Key Performance Indicator Tracking: Evaluations of team performance and service delivery are conducted to identify areas for improvement.
Feedback Mechanisms: Implementing systems for receiving and addressing feedback from the community, ensuring continuous improvement.
Ongoing Training and Professional Development: Providing ongoing training opportunities for staff to enhance their skills and knowledge, keeping them engaged and informed about best practices.
Data Collection & Management
In 2024, the NDD experienced impressive growth, expanding its boundaries by 45%. As a result, the organization is committed to enhancing its data tracking and management systems to better support this expansion.
To achieve these goals, the NDD partnered with CRM software firm District360 to create a centralized data collection and processing system across all departments. This effort led to the development of an integrated mobile application and CRM system that work together seamlessly. The system features a customizable dashboard that tracks key metrics, streamlines work orders, and enables asset tracking for both street assets and marketing items. It also integrates with municipal reporting systems, allows the public to report issues, and includes advanced search features. Overall, the system enhances data processes, communication, and performance, leading to more efficient management and faster responses.
A Vision for
the Long-Term
Kai Campbell was born and raised in Newark, and he has always known he wanted to return to the city and help promote its economic development. Although on any given day he may be prepping for the lunch rush at his restaurant, The Yard, his true identity is one of economic developer.
Horticulture
The Newark Downtown District Sustainable Horticulture Program aims to enhance the urban landscape through sustainable practices that promote environmental health, community engagement, and aesthetic appeal. This annual update outlines the NDD’s Sustainable Horticulture Program routine maintenance tasks, seasonal plantings, and a call to action for fee-for-service opportunities.
NDD Streetscape Planters and Seasonal Plantings
The NDD-branded streetscape planters serve as vital green spaces within the urban environment. This year’s highlights include:
NDD Summer Planting: Vibrant annuals, including petunias, marigolds, and geraniums, were introduced, providing colorful displays throughout the season.
NDD Fall Planting: The NDD transitioned to seasonal plantings of chrysanthemums, ornamental crotons, and coleus to keep the NDD streetscape planters lively into the autumn months.
NDD Winter Planting: In mid-November 2024, the NDD completed the winter planting, creating a holiday feel with boxwoods, Alberta spruce trees, golden mop cypresses, and blue rug junipers.
NDD Summer Community Plant Donation Event
On Saturday, September 14, the Newark Downtown District (NDD) hosted a successful Summer Community Plant Donation event in partnership with the City of Newark’s Office of Sustainability, Love Your Block, and Newark Symphony Hall. This vibrant community initiative aimed to enhance local green spaces and promote environmental stewardship.
The event featured the donation of a variety of free plants to residents, encouraging them to beautify their homes and neighborhoods. Attendees enjoyed educational workshops on plant care and sustainable gardening practices, fostering a sense of community engagement and environmental awareness. Everyone was also encouraged to paint a flower pot to take home with their new plants.
Through collaborative efforts, the NDD and its partners successfully strengthened community ties while promoting a greener Newark, leaving participants inspired to nurture their new plants and contribute to the city’s sustainability goals.
NDD Sustainable Horticulture Program Fee-for-Service Activities
To sustain and expand the NDD Sustainable Horticulture Program, we invite community members and local businesses to engage with us through our fee-for-service offerings. Services include:
Custom Planting Designs: Tailored plant arrangements for private properties or business fronts.
Maintenance Packages: Regular care services for gardens and green spaces, including weeding, pruning, and seasonal planting.
Workshops and Consultations: Opportunities for individuals and groups to learn about sustainable gardening practices.
By participating in these services, you contribute directly to the ongoing beautification and sustainability of Newark’s downtown area.
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On the Move
John has worked for the NDD for seven years, holding several positions before his current job as Operations Supervisor. He had previously worked for the County Parks Department, and he finds the chance to maintain and beautify downtown Newark rewarding.
Building Tomorrows
Melanie is the CEO of three businesses; that number is no accident. She likes to think of herself as a trifecta. She was a Hall of Fame shot putter in high school, began her career as an opera singer, and then pivoted to commercial real estate, creating the trifecta of sports, arts, and business.