Members of the public will get an opportunity this week to learn more about an upcoming mixed-use project for artists in Newark.

The Nina Simone House is in the process of being constructed at 505 Clinton Avenue in the South Ward’s Clinton Hill neighborhood. When completed, the four-story development will include 27 residential units, workspaces, a ‘poet’s café’, performance space, and an art gallery, according to the City of Newark. The units will be designated as affordable housing and will be set aside for artists and their relatives. Newark-based OCA Architects is behind the design for the project.

This development is rising at the site of the Clinton Trust Company building, which Mayor Ras Baraka described during his 2016 State of the City address as being “a building that has been abandoned since I was in elementary school.” A year ago, demolition began on the rear portion of the building in order to construct the new four-story addition in its place. However, the facade of the structure, which includes the ‘Clinton Trust Company’ and ‘Erected MDCCCCXXIX’ engravings as well as the building’s landmark eagle sculpture, was saved and will become the facade of the Nina Simone House.

Now, local officials are planning to hold an informational session to provide more details to those who are interested in the development. According to Newark Arts, the meeting, which will be run by the City of Newark and the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation (NCEDC), will be held this Wednesday, January 10th. Topics will include the status of the project and the plan for programming once the Nina Simone House opens.

The event will begin at 6:00pm, and will be held in the community room of the Genesis Clinton Hill Apartments, located just down the street from the development site at 634 Clinton Avenue. Attendees are asked to RSVP to the NCEDC by calling (973) 273-1040 or by sending an email to [email protected]