Newark Should Have Publicly Bid Ice Rink Renovation: Report

Newark NJ

08 September, 2021

4:58 PM

Description

NEWARK, NJ — Newark allegedly violated New Jersey regulations for public bidding when it financed a $5.4 million contract for a facelift at an ice skating rink in 2017, according to a recent state comptroller's report. State officials said the city didn't conduct a public bidding process when it picked a private entity associated with the New Jersey Devils hockey team to renovate the rink at the Sharpe James and Kenneth A. Gibson Recreation and Aquatic Center. Read the comptroller report here. As the Associated Press wrote: "Under New Jersey's Adopt-a-Park statute, a municipality can contract with a private entity for maintaining, operating or improving a public park without having to seek competitive pricing, as long as the agreement comes at no cost to the municipality … Newark issued $5.2 million in bonds in 2017 to pay for the project, according to the report. Devils Renaissance Development donated its services to the city and didn't receive financial compensation, but acted as general contractor and forwarded funds to various contractors working on the project." Kenyatta Stewart, the city's corporation counsel, told the New Jersey Globe that Newark officials disagree with the comptroller's findings. "We relied on advice of outside counsel and will continue to comply with the law," Stewart said. "Most importantly, Newark's youth can enjoy skating on a first-class ice rink built by the Jersey Devils." Send local news tips and correction requests to [email protected] Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don't forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.