After calling a halt last year to 52 school construction projects that were to be funded through the New Jersey School Development Authority, Gov. Chris Christie has recommended that the authority move forward at a more deliberate pace.
The governor is recommending that the authority proceed with 10 construction projects at a cost of $584 million. Christie says that after a review by his administration, the authority is taking a more cost-conscious efficiency-driven approach to the state-funded school construction program. Instead of carrying out construction of a list of approved projects, the authority will prioritize projects "so that only those projects most needed and most efficient will proceed into construction."
"We all know that the prior program was associated with the absolute worst kind of government waste, mismanagement and lack of supervision, where much was promised, too much was spent, but too little was returned," Christie says.
To reduce project costs, priority will be given to standardized designs that can be replicated on numerous projects.
The recommended projects:
Bridgeton–Cherry Street Elementary School, Brighton; Academic Magnet High School, Elizabeth; P.S. 20 Elementary and Elementary School 3, Jersey City; Catrambone Elementary School, Long Branch; A. Chester Redshaw Elementary School, New Brunswick; Oliver Street Elementary School, Newark; Marshall & Hazel Elementary School and PS Number 16 Elementary School, Paterson; and Harry L. Bain Elementary School, West New York.
