Urban Plazas
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building is an addition to the Newark Justice Complex and a living monument to civil rights leader Martin Luther King Junior. It houses tax and general equity courtrooms, offices for the superintendent of elections, board of elections, surrogate, board of taxation and Essex County Clerk. Outside the building features a 22-foot statue of MLK, and a sophisticated and inviting plaza.
Comito Associates was the main consultant on this project, providing architectural and engineering services. Barreto/Dowd, selected by Comito Associates, were the landscape architects on the project – whose breadth of work focused on the hardscape, landscape, and site lighting design. Barreto/Dowd opted for Umbriano® pavers in Winter Marvel and French Grey to create MLK Justice Plaza. Combined, the EasyCleanTM and EnduraColorTM technologies built into the pavers create a stain and fade resistant, easy-to-clean, non-slip surface that is perfect for this high traffic outdoor area. The fresh colors and clean lines of the pavers combined with the unique mottled surface create an engaging contemporary aesthetic that compliments the architecture of the MLK Justice Building. Surrounding the building are walking areas designed with the same Umbriano pavers that are bordered by modern angular benches with garden beds tucked in front resulting in a welcoming and sophisticated landscape to highlight the building.