Governor Corzine Opens Park Avenue School

Delivers on Commitment to Build Quality Schools - Celebrates opening of 12 New Schools Across New Jersey this September

ORANGE - Governor Jon S. Corzine made a return visit to Orange's newly expanded and renovated Park Avenue Elementary School today delivering on his commitment to build sustainable, environmentally friendly schools that provide quality educational opportunities and stimulate the economy. Joined by SDA CEO Kris Kolluri and Superintendent of Schools Ronald C. Lee, the Governor celebrated the opening of 12 new and modernized schools statewide this September, marking the continued progress  made by New Jersey's school construction program.

The 12 schools built by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) have increased the capacity of student seats at these facilities to 9,000, representing an investment of $575 million to stimulate the economy and creating or saving 5,000 jobs for New Jersey.

"This program is delivering on two of the most important goals of this administration - enhanced educational opportunity and job creation," said Governor Corzine, who signed legislation in 2008 authorizing $3.9 billion in new funding for school construction. "SDA is delivering new classrooms, media centers and science labs. It is also a key component of the administration's economic recovery efforts, which are already bearing fruit in putting New Jersey at the forefront in emerging from this recession."

Since 2006, the SDA has completed 144 major construction projects overall, including 45 news schools: 127 in SDA Districts and an additional 17 in Regular Operating Districts

(RODs). All told, the SDA has invested $5.293 billion in projects since January 2006, generating an estimated 45,800 jobs and creating approximately 45,000 new student seats.

Kris Kolluri, CEO of the SDA, said: "There are 155 schools in New Jersey that are at least 100 years old, including Park Avenue School, built in 1880. Replacing and renovating these schools is crucial for our children's futures. The SDA will continue its efforts to build safe, modern schools that address educational needs, are affordable to build and operate, and are delivered on time and within budget."

Park Avenue Elementary School is the oldest public school structure still in use in the city, opening four years after the telephone was invented. In addition to the renovation, the project entails a 68,527-square-foot addition and construction of two playgrounds. The addition will consist of a gymnasium, cafeteria, media center, administrative office and eight classrooms.

"On behalf of the community, we are excited that we are opening this new state-of-the-art facility," stated Ronald C. Lee, Superintendent of Schools. "The newly expanded and renovated Park Avenue School opens up many opportunities to provide library media, fully equipped science labs, music and dance programs.  This will assist us in truly preparing our students for the demands of the 21st century."

The school construction program is central to the state's effort to mitigate the effects of the national recession. For 2009, the SDA has accelerated projects to advance Governor Corzine's Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan to spur the economy and generate jobs. The SDA is on track to begin preliminary or full construction of 27 Capital Plan projects in 2009. Overall, the SDA will invest $1.3 billion in these projects. Over the life of the projects, the SDA expects to create or save approximately 11,000 jobs.

The Park Avenue project has created or saved approximately 322 jobs.

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A complete list of SDA-managed schools opening this fall, which includes six new schools and six additions and/or renovations is below:

 

SDA School Openings - September 2009
District	Project	Construction Type
September 2009 Openings
Barnegat Twp.	Lillian M. Dunfee E.S.	Addition and Rehab of Existing Facility
Barnegat Twp.	Robert L. Horbelt E.S.	Addition and Rehab of Existing Facility
Bridgeton	Bridgeton Senior H.S. Media Center	Addition/Renovation
Camden	Dudley E.S.	New Construction
Camden	H.B. Wilson E.S.	New Construction
Egg Harbor City	Charles L. Spragg E.S.	Addition and Rehab of Existing Facility
East Orange	Performing Arts School	New Construction
Newark	Park School	New Construction
Orange	Park Avenue E.S.	Addition/Renovation
Perth Amboy	Early Childhood Center II	New Construction
Union City	Union City High School and Athletic Complex	New Construction
W. New York	Number 2 E.S.	Rehab of Existing Facility

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