State
approves $408 million in school
projects
8 new buildings among work for Jersey's
neediest districts
Thursday, October 28, 2004 • BY DUNSTAN McNICHOL •
Star-Ledger Staff
New Jersey's school construction program kicked into
high gear yesterday as state officials approved $408 million
for work in the state's neediest communities. The approvals
set the stage for the construction of eight schools and
major renovations to two more.
The action by the Schools Construction Corp. nearly
doubled the amount of school construction authorized so far
this year and comes amid concerns that the state is on track
to tap out its $8.6 billion school construction program
within 18 months.
Yesterday's approvals set into motion the 2006 opening
of new high schools in Harrison and Paterson, and new
elementary schools in East Orange, Irvington, Long Branch,
Vineland, Asbury Park and West New York.
The corporation also approved the program's most
expensive job -- a $123 million makeover of Trenton Central
High School -- as well as the first contract to be awarded
under new state guidelines that prohibit many political
contributions from firms hired for the work.
Corporation Chairman Jack Spencer said yesterday's
approvals put the state on pace for a record $1 billion in
construction contract awards this calendar year.
"The goal is for the corporation to achieve $1 billion
by year's end," said Spencer. "We are well on our way."
Since the schools program was launched four years ago,
the state has issued $1.9 billion in construction contracts
for 27 new schools and $660 million in emergency repairs at
hundreds of schools.
Among the new schools approved for construction
yesterday, the costliest is a $47.4 million high school in
Harrison. The new school, scheduled to serve 826 students,
will include $3.45 million in extras including a swimming
pool and terrazzo flooring that will be paid for by local
taxpayers in Harrison. The state will cover the $43.95
million balance of the construction cost.
The Harrison contract also marks the first awarded since
new state limits on political contributions from business
owners took effect.
The winning firm, Terminal Construction Corp. of
Wood-Ridge, gave $15,000 to the Democratic State Committee
last year. Such a contribution is now prohibited under the
new regulations.
Besides the new construction projects, the corporation
also authorized major renovations of high schools in
Gloucester and Trenton. The $123 million overhaul of the
historic Trenton Central High School, which is scheduled to
take five years to complete, is the corporation's costliest
single job to date.
The new spending comes even as state officials are
pondering how to keep the construction program running after
next year.
Although the state Supreme Court has ordered New Jersey
to bankroll the construction or rehabilitation of hundreds
of obsolete school buildings in 30 of the state's neediest
communities, Spencer has said the $6 billion in state funds
earmarked for that effort is expected to be accounted for by
early 2006. By then, he said, more than 100 new schools will
be built or under construction.
Dunstan McNichol covers state government issues. He can
be reached at dmcnichol@starledger.com or (609)
989-0341.
© 2004 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with
permission.
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