Ironbound Community Corporation is a leader in delivering quality services to Ironbound’s residents. It also plays a major role with community planning, which helps build sustainable, equitable, and successful neighborhoods.

ICC believes in a community development process that is transparent, accountable, and produces tangible results. We are committed to bringing local leaders and community members to the table as key development decisions about the future of our community are made.

In 2001, ICC spearheaded a Master Plan that laid out a vision for the Ironbound and has helped guide development in the community. This led to the development of an Open Space & Recreation Plan and in 2006, to a Waterfront Park Plan. Today we continue to work with city planning efforts to ensure local planning is taken into account as part of citywide strategies.

The East Ferry Street Improvement Plan focuses on a historically underserved community within the eastern part of the Ironbound – one with high poverty rates, environmental threats and a mix of residential and industrial development. With the support of a grant from the Wachovia Regional Foundation, ICC is working to transform this neighborhood into a thriving community with access to housing, education, employment and recreation.

A key gateway to the East Ferry community is the former Ballantine Brewery, a vast industrial complex with tremendous potential for smart development. ICC is working with local business leaders and the City of Newark to forge a shared vision that can include a mix of residential, community and business uses.

ICC continues to work towards reclaiming Ironbound’s waterfront, with green spaces stretching the entire Ironbound section of the Passaic River, so residents and visitors to Newark can enjoy recreational and environmental opportunities.

All of this planning is facilitated by its close ties to our community organizing and environmental justice work.