Jersey Number: Sports Personalities To Help Develop Newark
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Sports Personalities Like Barber
Eyeing Newark For Developments |
NBC analyst and former NFLer TIKI BARBER’s Tiki Ventures has teamed with real estate developers the Related Companies and Centerline Capital Group in a $150M venture over the next four years “to purchase and renovate affordable housing in Newark,” according to Jeffery Mays of the Newark STAR-LEDGER. Barber said that the "first phase of the program calls for buying and rehabbing 3,500 residential units in Virginia and North Carolina.” The partnership “then plans to focus on New York and New Jersey.” Other athletes involved in similar projects in Newark include Heat C SHAQUILLE O’NEAL, who “wants to turn the old Science High School into upscale condominiums"; former NFLers EMMITT SMITH and CARL BANKS, who have “toured the city in search of possible development parcels”; and Pro Basketball HOFer MAGIC JOHNSON, who “was interested in developing projects around the new Prudential Center” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/7).
MELROSE PLACE: In Newark, Rich Chere notes ESPN hockey analyst BARRY MELROSE, who five weeks ago made negative comments about the area surrounding the Prudential Center, will visit Newark Friday and attend that night's Capitals-Devils game. Melrose is set to meet Devils Owner JEFF VANDERBEEK for the first time at the Arena Bar prior to attending SCOTT STEVENS’ Hall of Fame Night. Melrose said, “I want to see Newark for myself. I want to see if my remarks were unjustified, somewhat unjustified or totally unjustified. I want my remarks to be totally unjustified” (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 12/7). NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is also expected to attend the game (Bergen RECORD, 12/7).
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