Nomad Builder:  On Assignment

Episode - "Building Blocks"

The West and South Wards of New Jersey’s largest municipality, known as Newark, is filled with promise, but threatened by crime.

According to popular website Neighborhood Scout, Violent Crime in Newark makes up 11.71 percent of the state’s crime statistics. The crime statistics of the state of New Jersey itself are equivalent to only 2.9 percent of the national average. The chances of becoming a violent crime victim in this particular area of Newark is 1 in 85 per 1,000 residents.

The population makeup is described as “low income, making it among the lowest income neighborhoods in America.” Neighborhood Scout’s research shows that this area of the city “has an income lower than 96.7% of U.S. neighborhoods. With 55.4% of the children here below the federal poverty line, this neighborhood has a higher rate of childhood poverty than 93.5% of U.S. neighborhoods.”

Popular NJ State Senator and former Newark, NJ mayor Cory Booker helped put Newark, NJ in the national spotlight as a city ready for change. Current Mayor Ras Baraka has implemented that change from the inside out with noticeable differences affecting the health and pride of the city. One government department that has his full support is the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (CEDC) led by Otis Rolley. This team and early supporter Councilman Joseph "Joe" MCCallum of the city's West Ward have joined efforts with Nomad Builder.

Contractor and host Nick Jardine has beautified many neighborhoods that previously resembled areas with little hope. “I build happiness,” Jardine says is the motivation behind his strong work ethic and powerful results.

Newark's CEDC has formed the Model Neighborhood Initiative (MNI) and invited Jardine and the Nomad Builder team to rehab and develop a "show house" and spotlight the neighborhood for growth. The show house, a former city-owned abandoned building, will launch a much-needed makeover of the Ward.  After Newark artists and designers complete a short residency in the show house, Newark's CEDC will auction the house, furthering the promotion of this model neighborhood.

These Building Blocks where beautiful rehabilitation will take place surrounding the show house border the four universities of Rutgers University, NJ Institute of Technology, Essex Community College and Seton Hall University Law School. Seton Hall’s bucolic main campus is located blocks away in tony South Orange, NJ. Aesthetics alone, the difference between the West and South Wards residential lots and the university campuses is quite extreme.

Building Blocks, the U.S. episode of Nomad Builder:  On Assignment, will revitalize the neighborhood in crucial ways:

• Colorful exteriors from the design team that align with city-mandated building codes
• Working and sustainable community gardens
• A renewed sense of identity for the citizens of Newark
• Visible sponsorship from local vendors in the neighborhood
• Mobile classroom on set for film production crew training
• Mobile classroom on set for union-eligible construction team members from the local job opportunity pool
• Hands-on, skill-building opportunities providing the community “voice” as a prominent character in the program
• Property values boosted in record time
• Commercial Show House to produce income and lower crime in the neighborhood
• Pride in the neighborhood and the Newark metro area

No longer will the city be the reference for poverty-stricken children residing in dilapidated blocks adjacent to prominent institutions looming above. Newark, NJ will rid itself of the reputation as a city of shootings, death and despair. The neighborhood residents employed on the show’s construction and filming crews will represent hope and promise. The Building Blocks episode of Nomad Builder:  On Assignment, in cooperation with Mayor Ras Baraka’s City Hall, will also implement continuing training, networking and mentoring upon completion of filming. Included in these developing initiatives would be proper training and employment of property managers and skilled tradesmen/women, as well as an invitation to more film and television productions to choose Newark, NJ as a filming destination.

Click Here for a letter of support for the Building Blocks episode from Mayor Ras Baraka.

Newark's CEDC has committed partial grant funds from the city in support of Building Blocks.

Newark’s growth as a result of hosting Building Blocks in the West Ward and South Ward will extend far beyond any previously conceived limits.