RESOURCE CENTER
The Pavillion Tenants Association was formed in 2008. In September 2011, the organization has decided to reorganize, and is networking with several other Tenants Associations in Newark. Sam August is the Acting Chairperson. He can be reached at steering381@gmail.com
There are two towers comprised of 340 units each. The complex is located between Broad Street and Martin Luther King Blvd, on the south side of 7th Avenue. This is very close to the Broad Street Train Station, which links directly to Manhattan. A great deal of redevelopment currently under way around the train station will be a big improvement for the neighborhood.
FEBRUARY 2, 2012: Word has reached us that The Colonnade and possibly The Pavillion are for sale. The source is reliable.
JANUARY 29, 2012: The Tenants Associations in Newark Tenants United met and discussed issues.
JANUARY 23, 2012: The Tenant Resource Directory (grey tab up top) has been updated, so that the section entitled GENERAL ADVISE ON GETTING REPAIRS DONE is close to the top, and contains more relevant information.
NOVEMBER 16, 2011: TENANTS RIGHTS THREATENED FROM TRENTON. The New Jersey Tenants Organization met with tenant leaders in Newark last night. All the tenants rights that they have won over the past 40 years are threatened and could be unraveled in just a few years by the current State administration. Governor Christie has authorized a group called the NJ Law Review Commission to review all laws in the state with the intent on cutting red tape. This is a good idea, but what they are instead doing is proposing to eliminate virtually all tenants rights. One suggestion on the table is to allow landlords to force tenants to pay the annual rent, up front, and all at once. Other proposals will make it easier to evict tenants for any reason. Yet another will allow landlords to install water meters and force every tenant to pay for their own water.
October 12, 2011
There was an incidence of violence on October 10, 2011 in the afternoon close to The Pavilion Apartments. Information from The Star Ledger is below. Crane Street is one block north of Seventh Avenue.
Please exercise caution when walking on the streets surrounding our apartment complex.
The Tenants Association is working to coordinate a Public Safety Meeting for residents with the Newark Police Department and Councilman Sharif's office. Management has not responded to requests to provide a venue for the meeting. Please make your neighbors who may not receive this communication aware of the danger around The Pavilion Apartments.
From the Star Ledger
NEWARK — Six people were shot this afternoon at a public housing complex on Crane Street in Newark's Central Ward, authorities said. Two of the victims are in critical condition, according to two city officials.
The shooting occurred shortly before 2 p.m. in a walkway between two buildings in Kemsco Village, according to Detective Eugenio Gonzalez, a Newark police spokesman. No motive or suspects have been identified, and the conditions of the victims were not immediately available, the spokesman said.
All of the victims were taken to University Hospital. They range in age from 17 to 27, officials said.
Neighbors said they heard upward of 10 shots being fired in quick succession, likely from an automatic weapon. In a courtyard near the shooting, rags were used to cover up pools of blood that marked the ground where the victims were shot. A hat, presumably belonging to one of the victims, lay nearby.
A woman who resides in an adjacent building said she dropped the ground when she heard the shots. She would not give her name, for fear of reprisal. Note: A Newark police spokesman originally said six people had been shot, but the number was amended tonight to at "least four people".
October 5, 2011
Landlords are required to provide a minimal temperature of 68 degrees between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., and 65 degrees from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Calls to direct attention to any lack of heat should be made to Newark Code Enforcement at 973-733-4311. You will be given a complaint number and an inspector will investigate. If there is a widespread reported lack of heat, our buildings will be given priority service
October 5, 2011
A representative of the Newark Police Department confirmed that a shopkeeper on Lower Broadway was robbed and shot on Saturday October 1st about 9:00 PM. The incident occurred in front of the Metro PCS store. The store is located in the first block of Broadway, just steps from the pedestrian gate to The Pavilion Apartments. Please exercise caution when walking on the streets surrounding The Pavilion Apartments.
October 3, 2011 Congratulations !!! to Sam August, President of the Pavilion Tenants Association. Sam was selected to represent Newark, New Jersey at the NeighborWorks America Community Leadership Institute in Kansas City, MO. The Community Leadership Institute is an invitation-only training event held over 4 days, with workshops focused on various aspects of community organizing.
The first occurred near the corner of State Street near the corner of MLK Blvd. A resident was assaulted and robbed early Sunday morning. This is the second assault at this intersection in a short period of time. This is on the corridor along the south side of our apartment complex and used by residents for access to the Broad Street train station, the Universities and St. Michael's Hospital. The resident was robbed and a police report was filed.
The second incident occurred at about 9:30 PM on the property. A resident was assaulted in the walkway on the eastern side of the A building; just outside of the building's gym. The resident, who was recently mugged and robbed on State Street between the Pavilion and the Broad Street Station, fought back and the mugger fled. The "mugger" was recorded on the security camera. There was no police report filed.
September 23, 2011: The gym was closed without notice and without explanation several weeks ago. Residents reported that the closing coincided with an inspection from Newark Code Enforcement. Management addressed the lack of ventilation in the gym at a Tenants Association meeting 5 weeks ago on August 5, 2011 where they indicated that ventilation would be turned on shortly. Management has not communicated why the gym is closed or when it will re-open or if paid gym fees will be credited back to residents.
September 13, 2011:Cadillac Escalade owned by A building resident parked inside the Pavilion parking lot, was vandalized. Perpetrators stole all 4 wheels, leaving the vehicle on cinder blocks. Resident has been contacted for more details.
September 13, 2011: Rent Control Board moved to postpone Rent Adjustment hearing until January. Tenants were informed by mail of the Landlord’s intention to raise the rent, separate from the annual 4% increase tenants already face, an ordinance in place allows landlords to seek additional rent money due to increases in municipal taxes. Tenants from all 3 Alpha managed properties packed the hearing. The Colonnades Tenant Association leadership presented well organized and researched agreements as to why our rents should not be raised. Management representative Sean Pena was unprepared to respond to the issues and questions raised by both the Rent Control Board and the residents. The proceedings were covered by New 12 New Jersey. The Pavilion, Colonnades, and Hallmark House Tenant Associations’ have been brought together by this issue. Not only are we fighting the rent increase but we are working together for cleaner, safer, and well managed properties at the respective building we call home.
September 13, 2011: 300 residents attended the hearing of the Rent Control Board to oppose a proposed rent increase affecting 3 properties, including The Pavillion. Sean Pena was there representing all 3 properties. The application was heard in its entirely, but the decision was adjourned by the board after devastating testimony from residents of The Colonnade against the application.September 7, 2011: A Pavilion Apartments resident was pushed to the ground and robbed within 100 feet of the driveway on State Street at 6:45 AM on September 7, 2011. Perpetrators fled on foot into the Wynona Lipman housing projects opposite our building. The incident was reported to the Pavilion Apartments security staff. A police report was filed.
Jan 5, 2010: Some activity again for the Pavillion Tenants Association. After a period of inactivity, tenants are again organizing. No heat is a big concern right now for many units. Note also that Alpha Property Management, the same outfit that manages The Colonnade, has been secured to manage The Pavillion.
July 30, 2009: Eric Martindale of the 380-402 Tenants Association met with Charles Auffant of the Rutgers Community Law Clinic. Auffant represented them in the rent strike of 2007-2008, and is ready to represent all tenants within Newark Tenants United, including The Pavillion, in a joint action rent strike, if the decision is made to launch.
July 23, 2009: Tenants remain upset that the north security gate has been broken for months
June 4, 2009: Lengthy response from Levy, Ehrlich & Petriello, attorneys for the Pavillion, regarding the removal of literature. It includes a Notice to Cease, and threatens a fine. The letter, signed by Bruce Gudin, even states that they have no right to solicit members. The letter cites Pavillion's rules and regulations, but it is likely that these rules and regulations are themselves in violation of state law as they pertain to Freedom of Speech.
May 28, 2009: Letter sent to landlord informing them that removal of Tenant Association literature from hallways is in violation of state law and case law.
May 24, 2009: The organization is upset that the north parking gate is now broken for 38 straight days. We've been informed that this would qualify as a Newark Code Enforcement violation. Action will be taken.
Residents held a Memorial Day party, on Sunday, and were forced to use the ugly rear of the South Tower, near the garbage facilities.
April 20, 2009. It has come to our attention that 6 buildings have been cited by the Municipal Court judge for failing to have Emergency Service Plans. This has been a focus of the organization.
April 16, 2009: 45 residents attend a Tenants Association meeting. Many are very motivated, and requested to meet monthly so that issues can be addressed
March 22, 2009: Our webmaster over at 380 Mt. Prospect has posted LANDLORD/TENANT LAW 101 in our Tenant Resource Directory. That's on the home page. It was written by attorney Bruce Gudin, and it contains lots of great information intended solely for the eyes of building owners (and now for informed tenants). This documented is now part of the public domain, and our webmaster doesn't need Gudin's permission to post it. Also posted here: http://www.njlawnet.com/njlawreview/landlordtenant101.html
Jan 21, 2009: Chairperson Samuel August spoke at tonite's city council meeting about tenant matters, including the lack of an Emergency Services Plan.
Jan 7, 2009: MAYOR ANNOUNCES CRIME FIGURES --- At 10:00 AM today, the Mayor held a previously scheduled press conference on Washington Street and announced crime figures from 2008. Murders in Newark were down 32% in 2008, and shootings down 14%. The below chart shows the statistics. This trend is even more significant because crime rates have historically risen when the economy is down.
CRIME TRENDS IN NEWARK
2006 2007 2008
murders 107 97 67
shootings 502 393 339
civilian complaints 612 578 485
From 2006 to 2007, the murder rate increased in Irvington, Trenton, and Camden, and held nearly steady in most of the other larger cities in New Jersey. Figures for 2008 in those cities are not yet available
Thanks to Police Director Garry F. McCarthy for his leadership, and for the tremendous changes that he has made since coming aboard a few years ago. Mayor Booker made the right choice, and has personally been in constant consultation with McCarthy, discussing every major change.
Jan 1, 2009: The Tenant's Association wishes a Happy New Years' to all Pavillion residents
Dec 31, 2008: Strong winds this evening caused the entry door of the south tower to slam closed, shattering the glass. This is the second time this happened in the last few months.
Dec 21, 2008: The security gate system has been inoperative. Vehicles have been able to enter the complex without using the swipe system.
Dec 17, 2008: Bright green flyers from management's law firm are posted all over the complex ordering tenants to cease using 381 Broad Street as their mailing address, and to instead use a Martin Luther King Blvd address.
It would be interesting to find out if the buildings used "High Street" as their address before High Street was renamed after Dr. King ? Or did they always use Broad Street as their address. It would be disturbing to learn that the buildings switched street addresses to avoid having an MLK Blvd address. Will post the answer when it becomes known.
Management uses the same law firm that the 380-402 Tenants Association has had so much difficulty with.
Dec 10, 2008: The Pavillion Tenant's Association will be participating in a city-wide effort to encourage residents to remove all incandescant lightbulbs, and switch to the spiral flourescant bulbs. Each apartment pays its electricity, so the bulbs pay for themselves.
Nov 23, 2008: The Pavillion Tenants Association meets. Guests include a representative of the 380-402 Tenants Association.
