Orange, NJ (April 23, 2009) - Governor Jon S. Corzine continued a weeklong celebration of Earth Day with a visit to Park Avenue Elementary School, an example of how New Jersey’s school construction program is generating jobs while simultaneously providing sustainable, environmentally friendly schools. The Governor also announced that the state’s school construction program created or saved 4,500 jobs in March.

"We believe that environmentally responsible construction and job creation go hand in hand," Governor Corzine said. "The work at Park Avenue Elementary School demonstrates how our school construction program is stimulating the economy in a way that also provides sustainable, environmentally friendly schools. Equally important, over the life of this project, approximately 322 jobs will have been created or saved. It is a microcosm of the statewide program, which is generating thousands of jobs for our citizens."

The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) March jobs report includes the creation of 701 new jobs. It also includes the preservation of 2,337 jobs that may not have existed if not for the overall school construction program. An additional 1,519 are estimated to have been indirectly created or saved.

The school construction program is central to the state’s effort to mitigate the effects of the national recession through job creation. The SDA has accelerated projects in response to Governor Corzine’s direction to advance his Economic Assistance and Recovery Plan. The SDA plans to begin preliminary or full construction of 27 projects in 2009, with job creation expected to accelerate in the latter half of the year as more projects break ground. Overall, the SDA will invest $1.3 billion in 27 Capital Plan projects in 2009. Over the life of these projects, the SDA expects to create or save approximately 11,000 jobs.

"We are pleased to have created or saved so many jobs during these difficult economic times," said SDA CEO Kris Kolluri. "Our figures will only improve throughout the year as our acceleration efforts in support of the Governor's economic plan take firmer hold."

The jobs report is the result of the Governor's action in January to create a task force to monitor job creation resulting from his economic plan. The Governor is requiring agencies, including the SDA, to submit reports monitoring the effectiveness of these efforts.

Park Avenue Elementary School, constructed in 1880, is the oldest public school structure still in use in the city. 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.

The project has other features important to sustainability. They include efficient use of natural daylight, which is critical for student performance and reduces electrical consumption; and using a playground surface material produced from recycled tires. Central to the SDA’s sustainability efforts is its 21st Century Schools Design Manual, which defines performance standards for design and construction of schools that are safe, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient.

All SDA projects meet LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) standards, as developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Park Avenue Elementary School addition/renovation project is no exception. Key features include reuse of the existing school, which conserves raw materials, and a high-efficiency HVAC system, which significantly reduces energy costs. The PreK-8 school, with a capacity of 383 students, will open in September 2009.

Overall, New Jersey's school construction program has completed 592 projects in SDA Districts since inception. These completed projects include 46 new schools; 41 extensive additions, renovations and/or rehabilitations; three demonstration projects and nearly 500 other projects. In 2008, SDA-managed projects resulted in 8,000 new seats across New Jersey.

The SDA currently has 18 active projects in SDA Districts, in addition to three demonstration projects that incorporate community features and are coordinated with wider economic development.

SDA March Jobs Report