About NDD
Our Mission
The Newark Downtown District (NDD), Newark’s special improvement district (SID) of the central business area, is a privately funded 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, dedicated to enhancing cleanliness, safety, and beautification in Downtown Newark, while preserving and enriching culture, commerce, and community.
NDD works hard to enrich the quality of life for those who live, labor, and leisure in Newark by providing supplemental cleaning and quality of life services, as well as physical improvements, marketing, and event programs. These efforts make downtown Newark attractive to residents, businesses, students, and visitors.
The NDD is funded through a special assessment on district commercial and residential properties, and is overseen by a Board of Trustees consisting of business and property owners within the District, representatives of non-profit organizations, as well as municipal officials and staff.
A Letter from the CEO
Dear NDD Stakeholders,
This year we celebrated our Silver Anniversary—25 years of service to the City of Newark! Silver represents strength and durability—two qualities that must be present to subsist a quarter of a century. Silver is also known as “the mirror color” because it is said to inspire reflection, and we have incorporated reflection into the NDD business practices. By taking stock of our achievements, we can identify the strategies and initiatives that propelled us forward and pinpoint areas for improvement and innovation.
“Together, we are building a legacy that prioritizes the health of our downtown and the prosperity of future generations.”
The NDD’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence has resulted in a second request from the City for us to expand our services, this time increasing our footprint by 48%. We have built a data inventory and mapping program to manage all of the NDD’s assets—from benches to trash bins to street poles—this system allows us to maintain our inventory, track necessary repairs and upkeep, and easily connect the right vendors, city agencies, and property owners to the appropriate assets. We have also incorporated Green Initiatives, such as transitioning from gas to battery-powered horticulture equipment, and we donate more than 8,000 plants back to the community annually. Because sustainability is a collective effort, we have actively engaged with the local community to promote eco-friendly practices.
The success we achieve would not be possible without the tremendous support from our dedicated Board of Trustees. We are grateful to you, to our many partners, and the entire Newark community for their unwavering commitment to the success of the Newark Downtown District. Together, we are building a legacy that prioritizes the health of our downtown and the prosperity of future generations.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2024!
Anthony McMillan, CEO
Newark Downtown District
A Letter from the Chairman
Dear Newark Downtown District Members,
As the Board Chair of the Newark Downtown District (NDD), I am delighted to present the NDD Annual Report for 2023. With more people coming back to work in person, our streets are becoming livelier every day. New businesses have opened up, attracting visitors and fostering a sense of unity and pride. Throughout the year, the NDD hosted a multitude of events, which brought our community closer and gave people even more reasons to come enjoy downtown Newark after dark and on the weekends.
“With more people coming back to work in person, our streets are becoming livelier every day.”
NDD invested in the physical appearance of our downtown through the Pedestrian Signage Project design, festival lighting installations, and an expanded parklet program. These improvements not only elevate the overall atmosphere but also encourage residents and visitors to spend more time exploring our community. The NDD’s “Shop Local!” campaign continues to urge people to support small businesses by shopping at our local stores for gifts, meals, and even catering needs.
Recognizing the importance of sustainability, the NDD has implemented several eco-friendly initiatives, such as waste reduction programs, energy-efficient horticulture equipment, and support for a city-wide recycling program. These efforts align with our commitment to creating a greener, healthier, and more resilient downtown district for generations to come.
In closing, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my dedicated Board colleagues, downtown stakeholders, community and municipal partners, and the NDD staff—you all make up the heartbeat of the Newark Downtown District. As we move forward into 2024, I am confident that we will continue to build upon our achievements with the same spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines our community.
Thank you for your ongoing support. Yours in service,
Ed Zazzali, Chairman
Newark Downtown District
NDD Staff
Anthony McMillan
Chief Executive Officer
Susan McKay
Director of Operations
Mbacke Faye
Senior Urban Planner
Kimberly Rodriguez
Executive Assistant & Office Manager
Robert Belzer
Real Estate Analyst
Zuri Walker
Administrative Assistant
Peter Chapman
Marketing Associate
EVAN GOLD
Project Manager
Allison Gordon
Operations Administrative Assistant
MELISSA HENRY
Marketing & Communications Manager
Jessica Quintanilla
Operations Manager
KALIPH MORRIS
Assistant Operations Manager
angel rodriguez
Operations Supervisor
NDD Board Members
Edward Zazzali, Chairman
PSE&G
Cristina Cruz, Vice Chair
Prudential Insurance Co.
Michael Bright, Secretary
Newark YMCA
Sam Chapin
L & M Development Partners
Roseann Smith
Onyx Equities, LLC
Joseph Dabbah
Emerita Urban Renewal, LLC
Kyleesha Wingfield-Hill
City of Newark
Celia King
Leadership Newark
Lynette Lashawn
Off the Hanger
DJ Luccarelli
Sweetwater Coffee & Tea
The Honorable Council President LaMonica McIver
Small Business Owner
Paul Pereira
Small Business Owner
Amber Randolph
Rutgers, Newark
Mike Stephani
Panasonic
Darryl Walker
The Newark Museum of Art
Richard Dunn
Paramount Assets