Newark Partnership outlines mural, veterans' banner and community events; seeks nonprofit partners

A representative of the Newark Partnership updated the council on arts and community events the group is organizing and asked for nonprofit participants and public input.

The presentation covered a Library Avenue mural project, a New London veterans banner project, participation at the Main Street Now conference, plans to host environmental organizations with the Newark Co-op Farmers Market on May 25, and support for a Juneteenth celebration on June 21. The partnership said it is working with local organizations including the Newark Art Alliance and Friends of School Hill on logistics and with a mural consultant who has experience mounting panels and working on structures with cracking surfaces.

Council members asked whether a previously reported railroad fee to access the overhead portion of the overpass remained in place. The presenter and staff said the group will start with the DelDOT-managed underpass abutments and pursue federal and railroad partners for access to the overhead portion; a specific railroad access fee figure was mentioned during the discussion but was not formally introduced as an exhibit or ordinance in the meeting record.

The Newark Partnership also described an upcoming candidate forum for the Christina School District that the League of Women Voters will moderate and said the forum would be live-streamed and posted by partnering organizations. Susan Mitchell of the League of Women Voters encouraged broad voter participation and directed residents to vote411.org for candidate answers and polling information.

The presentation closed with an invitation for environmental and Newark-serving nonprofits to contact the Newark Partnership to participate in the May 25 market event and for community members to attend the Juneteenth celebration being planned with Parks & Recreation and Friends of School Hill.