Newark, NJ (October 3, 2007) – New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) and Newark School District representatives joined students, parents, area officials and residents at a dedication ceremony today for the new First Avenue School. It is the district’s first new elementary school project to be managed by the SDA.
| The school, which opened last month, provides 21st century educational opportunities to 850 pre-kindergarten to 8th grade students. It enhances academic achievement, provides much-needed preschool educational programs and helps to alleviate overcrowding in the district. Bordered by First Avenue, 6th Street, Second Avenue and 7th Street, the school takes up a full block within the residential neighborhood it services and the surrounding community. The new First Avenue School nearly doubles the student capacity of the original First Avenue School it is replacing. Built in 1928, the old school had a capacity for 450 students.
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Scott Weiner, SDA CEO, said, "On behalf of my colleagues at the SDA, I want to express our appreciation for the opportunity to work on this project and contribute to the Newark community. The opening of the new First Avenue School, and the recent openings of 21 other new schools and major renovations statewide, reflects what the new SDA management structure can accomplish to benefit our students and communities when combined with effective, ongoing collaboration with the districts and municipalities we serve."
Superintendent Marion Bolden said, "I, along with the entire Newark Public Schools family, am very excited about the opening of our new First Avenue Elementary School. We have been challenged with the issue of overcrowding for quite some time. With the new school, we are now providing our students with a state-of-the-art facility that will enhance the learning process."
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The 183,200-square-foot school includes a library, auditorium, computer and science labs, and a cafeteria with a kitchen. The recreation space is in a courtyard area off the gym and cafeteria. There is also recreation space for the pre-kindergarten classes. A 21st century green building, the school is highly energy efficient, with a geothermal system providing most of the heating and cooling needs. Due to the limited on-site space, a parking area is below the building. The project was designed by Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor Engineering and built by Hall Construction Company Inc. PB+3DI managed the project for the SDA.
Dr. Raymond Lindgren, Newark assistant school superintendent, noted the old First Avenue School is now housing students from the Elliott Street School, which was damaged by lightning in summer 2005 and is no longer useable. Over the next few years a new Elliott Street School will be built. After it opens, the old First Avenue School will be demolished, he said.
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The new First Avenue School is among 22 new and renovated schools managed by the SDA that opened last month, benefiting 13,500 students statewide. It is the largest slate of major school projects opened in a single fall since the school construction program’s inception. Overall, the SDA has completed 41 schools and 28 major renovations and additions, and nearly 400 health, safety and other projects in Abbott districts. An additional 21 are under construction.
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