City Unveils Model of Newark/Devils Arena
at New Jersey Performing Arts Center

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Newark, NJ – April 7, 2005 - Officials from both the city of Newark and the New Jersey Devils, as well as representatives from the architectural firm of Morris Adjmi, unveiled the design for the long-awaited Newark/New Jersey Devils Arena. The facility is being planned as the centerpiece of the city's Downtown Core Redevelopment Project.

The presentation which was hosted by Mayor Sharpe James and Devils' Chairman/ Managing Partner Jeff Vanderbeek, was held at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.

“Today is a great day for the City of Newark,” said James. “We are seeing for the first time the goal of our dreams – the creation of a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment arena that will be the central power that spreads prosperity into every neighborhood and home in our city. We are putting Newark on the world stage and it will be the world's star performer.”

“Today's events are another step in the process of building a first-class 21st century facility for our fans,” added Vanderbeek. “Everyone affiliated with this project is looking forward to the day when we open the arena doors and bring championship hockey to the city of Newark.”

Newark City Business Administrator Richard Monteilh served as master of ceremonies and presented the project overview of the Newark Downtown Core District. The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the arena model, including a video presentation of the arena design concept. The event was sponsored by the Prudential Foundation.

Morris Adjmi was one of three architectural firms that created models of the exterior and public spaces for the proposed 17,000-plus seat, 700,000 square-foot arena. The original three proposals were presented on October 21, 2004. The final design featuring large brick columns and an aluminum curtain wall, was selected by the Executive Committee.

Morris Adjmi Architects of New York City, has a history of design achievements that include the Walt Disney Company's Office Complex in Celebration, Florida, and the New York City headquarters of Scholastic, Inc.

Adjmi will work with HOK Sport+Venue+Event, a Kansas City-based design firm, to create the final plan for the arena. HOK, a specialist in sports venue design, has already been chosen to design the interior spaces of the arena.

The Newark Housing Authority, under Executive Director Harold Lucas, will oversee the project. Lucas, who served as city Business Administrator and Federal Undersecretary of Public and Indian Housing for the Clinton Administration, earned national acclaim for his overhaul of the city's public housing stock, turning it from “worst to first” in the United States.

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Take a closer look - View Full-Size Image

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