John Schreiber, NJPAC President and CEO, to Lead Theater Square Development Company; Lawrence P. Goldman Named Distinguished Practitioner in Residence at Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration

Following the vote by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) on Friday approving $33 million in Urban Transit Hub Tax Credits for Dranoff Properties and NJPAC’s One Theater Square residential and retail development, finalizing the funding for the next phase of the project, NJPAC announced that Lawrence P. Goldman will be stepping down as president and CEO of Theater Square Development Company, LLC.  Among other consulting and writing activities, Goldman, who holds a Ph.D. in public affairs from Princeton University, will become, on a part-time basis, “Distinguished Practitioner in Residence” at Rutgers University’s School of Public Affairs and Administration.  Goldman, who led NJPAC’s real estate subsidiary for two and a half years, will be succeeded by John Schreiber, NJPAC’s president and CEO.  Schreiber will add the Arts Center’s development projects to a portfolio that already includes the artistic, civic and philanthropic leadership of one of the nation’s largest non-profit performing arts centers.  Goldman will remain a senior advisor to the Arts Center’s Theater Square Development Company subsidiary.

In 2011, Schreiber assumed leadership of NJPAC from Goldman, NJPAC’s founding president and CEO.  At that time, Goldman shifted to focus fulltime on the Arts Center’s real estate projects, including One Theater Square, the planned mixed-use residential building in development on land controlled by NJPAC directly across Center Street.

“Larry’s stewardship of the One Theater Square development project, much as his leadership in creating an Arts Center in the heart of downtown Newark, has been focused and unwavering,” said William J. Marino, co-chair of the Board of Directors for NJPAC and chair of the Board of Theater Square Development Company.  “He has shepherded it through critical milestones, and due to Friday’s NJEDA vote supporting One Theater Square, his vision for the project is close to fruition.” 

“John has been a dedicated, forward thinking leader for NJPAC, introducing new and exciting programmatic and civic initiatives,” said John Strangfeld, co-chair of the Board of Directors of NJPAC.  “The board is confident that his leadership for the next phase of Theater Square Development Company will include similar visionary creativity.”

Theater Square Development Company is responsible for advancing NJPAC’s real estate development mission and initiatives.  One Theater Square is a cornerstone in the Arts Center’s longstanding efforts to bring the area around NJPAC to life as a vibrant live-work-play urban space.  The new 1.2-acre, 21-story, mixed-use residential building will be built adjacent to NJPAC.  It is envisioned to have 244 residential units, as well as a swimming pool, health club, ample parking and street-level retail.

Theater Square Development Company controls two other adjacent development sites, and under Schreiber’s leadership, will continue to focus on identifying appropriate uses, partners and funding for each of them.

“Larry Goldman’s leadership resulted in a performing arts center unlike any other.   He built and operated a seminal cultural institution where few thought it could be sustainable” said Schreiber.  “He has put us on track to make One Theater Square a reality.  I look forward to continuing the momentum that Larry has built for this project.”

“NJPAC is like few arts centers in the world, with a mission committed not only to artistic excellence and community engagement, but also to urban transformation,” said Goldman. “For Newark to take its next leap forward, it is essential to have a middle class living and shopping downtown.  One Theater Square will be a residential building unlike any other in Newark—it will accelerate the process of creating a 24/7 environment.  I am committed to successfully completing the project with John Schreiber and developer Carl Dranoff.”

“Over the past 2 1/2 years, I have gotten to know John Schreiber and am confident in John’s and NJPAC’s commitment to the project,” said Dranoff, president of Dranoff  Properties. “With John and Larry’s commitment, One Theater Square will soon serve as a hub for the arts, with a vibrant live, work, shop and play community across the street from NJPAC.”

Rutgers Appointment

As a “Distinguished Practitioner in Residence,” Goldman will teach nonprofit management courses in the Masters of Public Administration program at Rutgers-Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration. In addition, he will lead a team developing international conferences on such topics as "Cultural Investment and Urban Transformation" (tentatively to be held in 2014).

“Larry Goldman epitomizes the imaginative problem-solving approaches that are important not only to our students, but to building bright futures for our cities, our governments, and our nonprofit agencies," said Marc Holzer, founding dean of the School of Public Affairs and Administration and Board of Governors Professor of Public Affairs and Administration at Rutgers University-Newark Campus.

About NJPAC

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is among the largest performing arts centers in the United States.  It is the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey -- where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day.  As New Jersey’s Town Square, NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the State’s and the world’s best artists, while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city.  Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts.  NJPAC has attracted over seven million visitors (including more than one million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.  Visit www.njpac.org or call 1-888-GO-NJPAC for more information.

About Rutgers-Newark School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA)

The School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) at Rutgers-Newark educates and motivates students to choose careers in public service and administration through its innovative and comprehensive undergraduate (BA), Master of Public Administration (MPA), Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA), PhD, and professional and graduate certificate programs. The school’s faculty generates knowledge and best practices in public service and administration, and collaborates with public and nonprofit sector organizations and professionals throughout the U.S. and the world. Guided by the principles of knowledge, competence, diversity, and service – with an emphasis on public service values and competencies for effective performance – SPAA promotes accountability, transparency, and performance in the public and nonprofit sectors. Visit: http://spaa.newark.rutgers.edu

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Josh Balber, NJPAC, 973-353-8051, jbalber@njpac.org

Ginger Swiston, Rutgers University-Newark, 973-353-3993, gswiston@rutgers.edu