NJ Treasurer OKs 6 Demonstration Projects

Affirms Major School Construction Plans for Trenton, New Brunswick,
Union City, East Orange, Camden & Vineland

Trenton, NJ (October 30, 2003) - State Treasurer John McCormac today affirmed recommendations by the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) to preliminarily designate school building proposals in six cities as Demonstration Projects, which leverage state school construction funding to secure private investment and maximize redevelopment efforts.

"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. "The facilities will serve as central activity locations where neighborhoods can come together and children can learn in high quality, modern educational environments."

The action by Treasurer McCormac, which came at a special SCC board meeting, will bring new schools and community centers to redevelopment areas in the cities of Trenton, New Brunswick, Union, East Orange, Camden and Vineland. Under the Demonstration Project program, the state and these six municipalities will work cooperatively to provide children with safe, modern classrooms while spurring the renewal of their cities.

The proposals were unveiled at statewide events Wednesday by Governor McGreevey, SCC CEO Jack Spencer, Treasurer McCormac, Economic Development Authority CEO Caren S. Franzini, State Commissioner of Education William Librera and State Labor Commissioner Albert G. Kroll, along with state, county and local officials.

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 schools statewide. These projects will leverage school construction efforts to bring in private investment and revitalize an entire neighborhood with new housing and retail opportunities.

Demonstration projects are school projects incorporating community design features (for example, a gym, playground or library accessible to students and residents alike).

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

The approved demonstration projects include:

Trenton: The proposed $17 million demonstration project calls for a new Twilight Alternative High School at East Hanover & Montgomery streets in the "Old Trenton Neighborhood." It includes 37,710 square feet of new construction linked to 47,010 square feet of renovated space in two vacant buildings. Tailored to adult students, the school will be part of an urban campus with such community-based learning institutions as the Public Library, Mercer County Community College and YMCA. The SCC estimates this project will create an average of 45 construction jobs a day - to a high of 120 at peak periods - over the course of a 22-month construction schedule.

New Brunswick: The proposed $98 million demonstration project is a new 2- and 3-story, 380,000-square-foot high school to be built on a 32-acre site in the New Brunswick's Route 27 "Renaissance Area" where proposed housing and commercial redevelopment activities are under way. The school would accommodate 1,750 students in two educational wings separated by a central core structure housing indoor athletic facilities, gymnasium, auditorium and other common and administrative spaces. The SCC estimates this project will create an average of 130 construction jobs a day - to a high of 320 at peak periods - over the course of a 38-month construction schedule.

Union City: The $366 million demonstration project in Union City calls for construction of a 250,000-square-foot high school for 1,700 students next to Roosevelt Stadium, which is to be demolished. A new one-story structure to be built on the Roosevelt Stadium site will include a gym, auditorium and cafeteria; a new stadium will be built on the roof of this building to accommodate a regulation size football field. The project also includes a new 5,000-square-foot health center/day care for the students. The SCC estimates this project will create an average of 350 construction jobs a day - to a high of 900 at peak periods - over the course of a 120-month construction schedule.

East Orange: The $89 million demonstration project in the Main Street redevelopment area proposes a 1,310-student pre-K through 12th grade performing arts magnet community school combining East Orange's acclaimed Washington Academy of Music and the Cicely Tyson School of Performing and Fine Arts. Plans entail razing former East Orange High, built in 1911, to create an 11-acre campus with separate buildings for pre-K and K, grades 1st-through-4th, 5th-through-8th and 9th through 12th. The SCC estimates this project will create an average of 130 construction jobs a day - to a high of 400 at peak periods - over the course of a 34-month construction schedule.

Camden: 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. 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.

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 of Vineland. 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. The 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.

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