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Jersey City, NJ (March 1, 2008)
- New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) and Jersey City School District representatives joined students, area officials and residents at a ribbon-cutting for the new Franklin L. Williams Middle School. The new facility on Laidlaw Avenue provides 21st century educational opportunities for more than 900 students in 6th through 8th grades.
Scott Weiner, CEO of the SDA, said, “On behalf of the SDA, I want to express our appreciation for the opportunity to work with the Jersey City School District, school board and community on this project. This safe and modern facility will provide enhanced educational opportunities that will benefit present and future generations of students.”
| Superintendent Dr. Charles Epps Jr. remarked, “The Franklin L. Williams Middle School is a state-of-the-art facility that showcases a new vision for future school construction. This joint venture between the JCPS and the SDA demonstrates the success of countless hours of work. Both the faculty and students of the middle school are re-energized by their surroundings and we are confident that we will see great accomplishments come from this school."
The dedication marked a major milestone. The middle school is the third new state-of-the-art school to be built under SDA management and funding in Jersey City. It was preceded by the Frank R. Conwell School Campus, Elementary School No. 3 and Middle School No. 4 located in the city's downtown area. The SDA has also completed significant rehabilitation projects on 12 additional schools.
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The 165,810-square-foot middle school consists of 36 classrooms, a basement, an auditorium wing, gymnasium wing and an education/administrative wing with a full complement of specialty areas including art and science labs. The new facility also includes on-grade parking, athletic fields, basketball courts and an entrance plaza.
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The school was designed by Clarke Caton Hintz, and built by Bovis Lend Lease. URS Corporation managed the project for the SDA.
Franklin L. Williams Middle School is among 22 new and renovated schools managed by the SDA that opened in September 2007, benefiting 13,500 students statewide. It is the largest slate of major school projects opened in a single fall during the five-year existence of the school construction program.
Overall, the Authority has completed 41 schools and 28 major renovations and additions, and nearly 400 health, safety and other projects in SDA Districts. An additional 26 are under construction.
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