State Unveils Demonstration Projects

Proposals: $39.9 Million for New School, Boys & Girls Club in Camden,
$47.4 Million for New School, Community Center in Vineland

Jeff Nash, Camden County Freeholder Director, Camden Mayor Gwen Faison, State Treasurer McCormac, Riletta Cream, Camden County Freeholder, Caren Franzini, CEO, EDA

(Camden, NJ) - - State Treasurer John McCormac, Economic Development Authority (EDA) Chief Executive Officer Caren S. Franzini and the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) today unveiled proposed demonstration projects to bring new schools and community centers to the South Jersey cities of Camden and Vineland.

As proposed, the $39.9 million demonstration project at Dudley Grange Park in East Camden will include a new 90,000-square-foot school for 540 students in Kindergarten through 6th grade, and a 39,000-square-foot community center for the Camden Boys & Girls Club. The school, which will replace the existing Catto School, includes traditional classrooms, art, music and science areas, library/media center, gym and swimming pool.

Demonstration projects are authorized by the school construction program law. The initiatives are being implemented by Governor McGreevey to revitalize neighborhoods through education and partnerships within local communities. Under the Governor's leadership, the State is building 21st century classrooms in 1,300 schoolsaround the state. Demonstration projects will leverage school construction efforts to bring in privateinvestment and revitalize an entire neighborhood with new housing and retail opportunities.
 

"These projects exemplify the Governor's commitment to build and strengthen New Jersey's economy by investing in children, education and communities," said Treasurer McCormac, who is also leading Governor McGreevey's municipal revitalization program in Camden.

"The facilities will serve as central activity locations where neighborhoods can come together and children can learn in high quality, modern educational environments. The Camden demonstration project is a perfect complement to other community investments being coordinated by the Governor's Economic Recovery Board," McCormac said.

SCC estimates the Camden project will create an average of 70 construction jobs a day - to a high of 180 at peak periods - over the course of a 24-month construction schedule.

In Vineland, the proposed $47.4 million demonstration project will include a new pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade school for 820 students on a 9.7-acre campus in the heart of the city. The school will be a cluster of smaller buildings that will accommodate students according to grade level. A separate two-story structure will include an adult learning center and community activity center and support services.
 

Perry D. Barse, Mayor, City of Vineland

SCC estimates the Vineland project will create an average of 90 construction jobs per day - to a high of 250 at peak periods - over the course of a 29-month construction schedule.

"Early on in the school construction program, the goal was to encourage the design and construction of quality schools that would serve as the centers of their communities," said Franzini. "Today, those goals are becoming a reality, underscoring the importance of leveraging every opportunity the State has to spur job growth, while providing vital services to residents."
 

Vineland Demonstration Project

On Thursday, the SCC will hold a special board meeting to recommend the school proposals in Camden, Vineland and four other cities to the State Treasurer for preliminary designation as demonstration projects. The other proposed projects are in Trenton, New Brunswick, Union City and East Orange.

Demonstration projects are school projects incorporating community design features (for example, a gym, playground or library accessible to students and residents alike). State investment in new school construction is leveraged by the city to bring in private investment and facilitate municipal redevelopment efforts, such as housing.

While the school serves as an anchor, the SCC does not manage the project but provides funding to a city-named development authority.

In addition to investments made by the state for school construction, the EDA has provided substantial financial assistance to the cities of Camden and Vineland. Since January 2002, EDA has provided $12.7 million in financing to 30 different projects in Camden, including loans and bonds to local businesses, and funding for brownfields reclamation. In Vineland, the EDA has provided $5.4 million to 6 such projects.
 


Top of Page