A Door Finally Opens for Dayton

By Darius Sollohub, professor and interim chair of the School of Architecture in the Hillier College of Architecture & Design at NJIT

From nearly anywhere in Newark's Dayton neighborhood, residents can see the train station serving Newark Liberty International Airport, among the nation's busiest airports handling 49 million passengers annually. But for years, they could only look. The station, bustling with travelers headed to and from regional hubs like Manhattan and Philadelphia, was entirely out of reach for the people living just beyond its gates.

This wasn't by accident.

For decades, Dayton residents watched opportunity pass them by - literally. A flawed federal law, combined with systemic neglect, left this community cut off from its rightful share of prosperity. Instead of providing opportunity, the station symbolized exclusion: economic growth and world-class transportation within sight but walled off.

This injustice is finally being corrected. By 2026, Newark residents will be able to access the airport station directly from their neighborhood, no longer requiring a burdensome trip to downtown Newark first. For the Dayton community, this is more than a matter of convenience. It's the first step in addressing years of inequity - and the beginning of a brighter future.

Closing the gap

The airport station opened in 2001 as a celebrated addition to the nation's busiest rail corridor, connecting Amtrak and NJ Transit lines to the AirTrain monorail. But for residents of Dayton, it might as well have been on another planet. Reaching the station required over 40 minutes by public transit or nearly an hour on foot. Locked gates and fences made accessing it directly nearly impossible.

Meanwhile, Dayton absorbed all the downsides of living near the airport - pollution from heavily trafficked roads and industrial sites, noise from low-flying planes - but none of the benefits. The neighborhood remains among Newark's most economically challenged, with a median household income of $32,658, far below the state average of $82,545. It's a place marked by vacant lots, brownfields and underutilized industrial buildings. The injustice of the station's inaccessibility was clear.

That began to change in 2017, when Newark Mayor Ras Baraka's administration brought together a coalition of academics, planners and community members to fight for equitable access to the station. As a professor at NJIT and co-chair of the Airport City Newark Coalition, I have witnessed firsthand the power of persistence in the face of entrenched barriers. The coalition worked tirelessly, navigating setbacks and advocating for a simple but transformative goal: to open the station to Dayton residents.

In March 2023, I watched this advocacy bear fruit. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey pledged $12 million to open the station's gates to the community. This victory is not just about righting a past wrong - it's about laying the foundation for Dayton's resurgence.

A vision for the future

The station is just the beginning. Dayton is ready for transformation. Access to the station will significantly cut travel times to major job centers, putting opportunities in New York City, Trenton and beyond within reach for Dayton residents. But the vision extends far beyond easier commutes.

We imagine Dayton as a vibrant, mixed-use hub that capitalizes on its location adjacent to the airport. Inspired by the "Aerotropolis" concept, which envisions airports as engines for urban growth, our Airport City Newark coalition has proposed a redevelopment plan for nearly 40 acres in the neighborhood. This plan includes affordable housing, commercial offices, green spaces and community centers - all tied to the station. It envisions a Dayton where new businesses, hotels and cultural institutions generate thousands of jobs and opportunities for local residents.

Crucially, this transformation is being guided by the people it will impact most. Through dozens of community meetings and collaborations with local stakeholders, the coalition has ensured that residents' voices are shaping every stage of the project. Community benefit agreements will provide additional safeguards, ensuring that new development meets local needs and doesn't displace longtime residents.

The vision for Dayton is also reflected in Newark360, the city's comprehensive master plan, which emphasizes the airport's potential as a driver of growth. This forward-thinking approach has already earned national recognition, winning the prestigious Daniel Burnham Award for a Comprehensive Plan in 2024.

The work hhead

While the station's opening is a moment to celebrate, there's a great deal more to be done. The provisions in place are rudimentary - little more than a blank slate. Yet, for Dayton, that slate represents possibility. The city's decision to hire a redevelopment consultant to design new zoning for the entire area signals a strong commitment to ensuring this transformation is thoughtful and community-centered. This critical step demonstrates Newark's resolve to turn opportunity into tangible progress.

Still, sustained progress depends on the voices of Dayton residents. Their active participation is essential to push these plans through the finish line and ensure the community's priorities remain at the forefront.

Correcting the mistakes of the past isn't easy. It requires bold vision, sustained advocacy and an unwavering commitment to equity. Dayton's story is proof that it can be done. As the gates to the airport station finally open, we have a chance to ensure that this community, long left behind, is at the center of Newark's next chapter.

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