Beth Israel Medical Center (NBI) is an 11-acre campus located on the northwest edge of the Weequahic Park Historic District of Newark, NJ. NBI has a 116-year institutional history and today’s third-generation campus is marked by an iconic 1931 Spanish Revival bed tower that rises above the site. Its original park-like setting oriented the facility off the orthogonal city grid featuring a ceremonial entry drive winding through a neighborhood green. RWJBarnabas Health is implementing a significant capital improvement plan in parallel with campus-wide planning initiatives intended to
restore neighborhood vibrancy and engage in placemaking. The Health System sees enormous opportunities to enliven the neighborhood commercial corridors and serve as a catalyst for a healthier community where walking, social engagement, and positive economic transformation are fostered.
A schematic design package for pricing purposes was completed and implementation is underway. Planning continues for phased execution and coordination with System partners, the City of Newark, Essex County, New Jersey Transit Authority, and philanthropic organizations. The plan will result in breaking down the Center’s superblock orientation and pave the way for a mixed-use neighborhood anchored by health services, education, and shared amenities. The extension of the NBI’s brand through district-wide identifiers is a first step in signaling this new approach.
