Newark, NJ – June 23, 2022 – Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Municipal Council President Luis Quintana, Central Ward Council Member LaMonica McIver, North Ward Council Member Anibal Ramos, Jr., Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Alicka Ampry-Samuel, and RPM Development cut the ribbon to open The Lantana housing complex today, at 109-119 Broad Street.

The Lantana is a scattered-site, affordable rental development featuring 72 apartments at two sites in the city’s Central Ward. Construction on both sites was completed simultaneously. It was built with the assistance of $568,000 in federal HOME funds that Mayor Baraka committed to the project and was also awarded a tax abatement.

The first site is a 60-unit new construction building at 109-119 Broad Street and replaces a vacant townhome project that had fallen first into financial distress and then into physical disrepair in 2011, prior to RPM taking over. The second site is located at 130 North 11^th Street. The building is an adaptive re-use and conversion of a long-vacant industrial building into 12 loft-style apartments.

“The Lantana is another step forward toward meeting our five-year economic recovery goal to create or preserve 6,600 affordable homes in Newark,” said Mayor Baraka. “RPM and the Martoglios are an important part of meeting those goals because they specialize in creating housing that is affordable, sustainable, and that contributes to the strengthening of our communities. We are proud to have worked successfully with RPM Development on this project and look forward to continuing to replicate it throughout Newark.”

“Through the City of Newark, HUD provided $568 thousand in HOME Investment Partnership Program funding for affordable housing creation,” said Alicka Ampry-Samuel, HUD Regional Administrator for New York and New Jersey. “The threat of climate change needs to be addressed with sustainable design and construction, and The Lantana is one step ahead, including sustainable building materials and other features that enhance residents’ quality of life.”

All units are affordable to low-and moderate-income households earning up to 80 percent AMI, including five supportive housing units for formerly homeless individuals or families and persons living with HIV/AIDS or related diseases.

“RPM is proud to ceremonially open The Lantana and continue its longstanding partnership with the City of Newark,” said Vice President of Operations at RPM Richard Martoglio. “After 10 years and many iterations of the project, the grand opening of The Lantana is a testament to the steadfast commitment of community stakeholders in bringing high-quality affordable housing to the people of Newark. RPM is pleased to be a part of the continued revitalization of the Central Ward and to help advance Mayor Baraka’s housing goals with this 100% affordable development.”

Each apartment features sustainable building materials, and ENERGY STAR appliances. Project amenities include LEED certification and five electric vehicle charging stations.

The name Lantana comes from a flower that is native to Latin America.

About RPM

RPM creates high-quality affordable housing. They develop residential communities that are affordable and serve as environments for residents and their families to thrive. They take great pride in creating housing that is attractively designed, skillfully built, and well-managed. Sustainable building is one of the core values that guides their work. Founded in 1986, RPM is one of the leading developers of affordable housing in New Jersey. They have developed residential communities, many in Newark, that are home to thousands of New Jerseyans and represent hundreds of millions of dollars in community investment across the state.

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For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.newarknj.gov

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