Queen Latifah is putting on for her city in a major way.
According to News 12, the superstar has secured a new deal to create new housing in Newark, NJ through Blue Sugar Corporation — her real estate development firm.
“To me, Newark is ours. Newark is yours. And I don’t want people to think that they can’t live in their own communities,” she told News 12.
Blue Sugar Corporation
As previously reported by AfroTech, Latifah has backed Blue Sugar Corporation since 2019. Being its co-president, the multi hyphenate’s company partnered with New Jersey developer GonSosa Development to execute an affordable housing project, which cost $14 million.
“The project includes 20 three-family townhomes and a three-story mixed-use building with an additional 16 units,” NJ.com reported at the time. “Plans for the building include a fitness center and 1,900 square feet of commercial space that will be rented to nonprofits. The 60 units in the townhouses will be market-rate; the 16 units in the building will be affordable.”
New Development In Newark
Latifah and her company have now joined Rise Living development for the new mixed-use housing project with the goal of brand new, affordable, and market-rate housing in Newark, according to the outlet.
The partnership with two other firms is set to bring “a total of 76 townhome units and 1,900-square-feet of space for a nonprofit to Springfield Avenue, near 19th Avenue, South 16th Street and South 17th Street.”
Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey Sheila Oliver described the project as a “game-changer,” while Mayor of Newark Ras Baraka believes it’ll serve as a “linchpin” for development in the area.
“I grew up around here. I grew up playing Westside Park, a block away. I grew up learning around here. I had a lot of family who lived around here,” Latifah said.
She added: “I think it inspires everyone around to feel more pride in our neighborhoods,” when speaking on the new project.
As of now, pre-leasing is expected to begin in July.
