Light Rail contractor makes 1 Washington stop.

Conti Enterprises, one of New Jersey's largest construction firms and the general contractor for the Newark Light Rail extension and Broad Street Station rehabilitation, has signed a 3,000 s/f lease at 1 Washington Park, a premier Newark office tower located in the heart of Conti's growing number of construction projects in Newark.

"Simply put, we want to be in first-class office space near our construction sites. Looking at 1 Washington Park, the choice was obvious," said Glenn Sweeney, project manager of Conti Enterprises. "The renovations at 1 Washington Park provide our company with top-of-the-line amenities and an ideal work environment next door to Broad Street Station and a future light rail stop. The facility and location are unmatched."

Washington Park Fidelco, LLC, an affiliate of the Fidelco Group, purchased the 405,000 s/f building last September and plans to spend $15 million to $20 million on building upgrades, transforming 1 Washington Park into class A office space with availability for both large and small tenants. The 17-story red brick and reflective glass building sits at the center of Newark's North Broad Street "Quad," bounded by the Newark Broad Street station, Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium, Historic James Street and Washington Park.

The lease signing comes just weeks before groundbreaking is set for 1 Washington Park's lobby renovations. The owners plan to construct a new two-story, glass-enclosed entrance on the north side of the building, featuring a lobby with marble finishes that will open directly to the Broad Street Station plaza and Bears and Eagles Stadium. They will also add new lighting to the pedestrian plaza, atrium and facade.

"With the light rail construction, Conti has been assigned one of the most important infrastructure improvement projects in Newark that will strengthen the city's already impressive transportation network," said Marc Berson, managing member of Washington Park Fidelco, LLC and Fidelco Group chairman. "Conti's commitment to 1 Washington Park supports what we have been advocating all along--1 Washington Park is anchoring one of Newark's growing commercial, residential and entertainment nodes."

The building will have fiber-optic wiring, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, and new electrical, fire protection and video security systems, as well as one of the largest parking facilities in the market. There will be multiple new tenant amenities, including full concierge service, a fitness center and a high-tech conference facility, along with a bank branch, upscale food service and convenience retail store on the ground level.

Conti is leading the construction of the light rail extension, connecting the Newark City Subway and Penn Station with the east-west commuter rail line that runs through Broad Street Station. In addition, Conti was awarded the construction contract for Broad Street Station.

"It is only fitting that Conti Enterprises, a company whose work is so vital to the future of the North Broad Street Quad, is opening an office in 1 Washington Park, a building whose owners are exhibiting such confidence in the neighborhood's up and coming role as a 24-hour destination," said Norman B. Baker, managing principal of Newmark, the exclusive leasing agent for 1 Washington Park.