Dr. Ray Lindgren, Newark Public Schools, Jack Spencer and Jerry Murphy, SCC, Newark City Councilman, Charles Bell, Donald Moore, SCC, Ron Lee, Newark Public Schools, Tim Vaughn, Hunt Construction, Dan Kirton SCC

SCC Holds Contractors Outreach Program
For Small Business Enterprises in Newark

Participants also Include Newark Public Schools,
Parsons Brinckerhoff +3D/I and Hunt Construction Group

Newark, NJ (March 10, 2004) - New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation (SCC) representatives spearheaded an outreach program today for Small Business Enterprise (SBE) contractors to learn about the procurement and contracting opportunities available for Science Park High School and Central High School projects in Newark.

The program – geared toward small-, minority- and women-owned businesses in Newark and Essex County – featured a work session to inform SBEs of the process to pre-qualify for SCC certification, availability of technical assistance and other information necessary to increase local participation in New Jersey’s $8.6 billion school construction program.

The 3˝-hour session at Gateway Academy on Washington Street provided SBEs with an overview of the school construction projects in Newark and the opportunity to network with those involved in them. Along with SCC, other sponsors included Newark Public Schools, Parsons Brinckerhoff+3D/I, and Hunt Construction Group – contractor for the Science Park High and Central High projects – and its major subcontractors. The program also included project managers, school designers, engineers and local service providers.

In a statement, Governor McGreevey remarked, "This SBE program is of paramount importance in New Jersey's ongoing effort to service the community through redevelopment and job creation. This effort reaches into the local workforce and creates opportunities for those capable members of the community to truly shine and highlight their talents in this redevelopment initiative."

Donald Moore, Managing Director, SCC Design & Construction

"Through such opportunities as these, we will work together with our communities to build 21st century classrooms that will prepare all of our children to succeed for the future benefit of our State and all of our citizens," Governor McGreevey said.

John F. Spencer, CEO of the SCC, stated, “We are pleased with this new initiative, which will help us improve and streamline our outreach to small-, minority- and women-owned businesses. It also will help us realize our goal to significantly increase SBE participation in SCC projects, not only in Newark but throughout the State as well.”

The Science Park High and New Central High are community-oriented projects that will bolster high-performance academic pursuits for more than 2,000 city students. The new Science Park High School will maximize 21st century educational opportunities for 800 to 1,200 students and incorporate a quality science high school within the realm of college science and technology. The $63 million project, slated for completion in 2006, is being fully funded and managed through the SCC. Located on Norfolk Street and 13th Avenue, the new high school will be part of Newark’s University Heights Science Park, a science incubator that includes several institutions of higher learning – New Jersey Institute of Technology, Essex County Community College, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and Rutgers-Newark.

The 290,150-square-foot Science Park High will include a media/technology center with an ITV lab, a long-distance learning system and CAD; classroom space divided into “Academic villages,” learning modules for interdisciplinary instruction, and lecture rooms; fabrication room for robotics and other science-related activities; independent science research area; an auditorium, gym and cafeteria; and space for student services.

The New Central High School in Newark will provide 21st century educational opportunities for up to 1,200 students. The $65 million SCC project calls for a 260,000-square-foot facility built on a previously cleared site over one city block on Spruce Street. The new facility will include classrooms, a full-service kitchen, auditorium, gym and labs. A swimming pool and recreation will be built at local expense. The new facility, which will replace the old Central High School, also is scheduled for completion in 2006.

Further information about New Jersey’s school construction program in general – or the SBE program in particular – is available on the SCC website at www.njscc.com.

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