School is one of four new or renovated facilities opened by SDA this year
October 1, 2018 – NEWARK, NJ – Today, New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) CEO Lizette Delgado Polanco, Newark City Mayor Ras J. Baraka, state and local elected officials, Newark Public Schools officials, along with community members, teachers and students gathered for a ceremony to mark the opening of the new South Street Elementary School located at 44 Hermon Street. The school is one of four new or renovated facilities the SDA opened in September.
Since the program’s inception, the SDA has invested more than $760 million in completed projects in the City of Newark alone. This includes the new South Street Elementary School as well as seven other new schools.
“On behalf of the SDA, we are proud to deliver to this community, a new and modern South Street Elementary School,” said Lizette Delgado Polanco, SDA CEO. “This project was made possible because of the commitment that Governor Murphy and the State of New Jersey have made to invest in the lives and futures of New Jersey school students.”
The new, 103,000 square-foot facility, which has not replaced the old structure but serves as the new South Street School, can accommodate up to 657 students in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight. There are 29 general classrooms as well as two science labs, three specialized classrooms (computer/technology lab, world language room, art room), a multipurpose room with a stage, a separate cafeteria and a gymnasium. In addition, there is a surface playground and a roof-top play/reading area.
“Today marks a milestone in the education of children in Newark,” said Newark Schools Superintendent Roger León. “The new South Street School is a shining jewel for education in Newark and New Jersey. This school will allow us to educate our students with advanced technology and designed instructional spaces to meet the needs of every student. I am grateful to Chief of Staff Havier Nazario who was instrumental with principals, teachers and central office staff in the design of the last three new schools. We are thankful to the Governor, Mayor, SDA, state and local officials, and everyone advocating for the design of new schools in Newark. Every child in Newark deserves a great new school building with the highest expectations for teaching and learning. The new South Street School is one step closer in that direction.”
The SDA often employs a design-build delivery method to enable it to contract with one firm for both design and construction of new school projects. This approach also allows for some design and construction activities to occur simultaneously through phased advancement. Ernest Bock & Sons was awarded the design-build construction contract in October 2015, with SSP Architectural Group as the architect. STV Construction, Inc. acted as construction manager. The total estimated project costs were $69.9 million.
About the New Jersey Schools Development Authority
The SDA is the State agency responsible for fully funding and managing the new construction, modernization and renovation of school facilities projects in 31 SDA Districts. Its current portfolio of active projects is valued at approximately $2 billion – including the Capital Project portfolio, emergent projects and Regular Operating District grants. Since the program’s inception, the SDA has provided funding for and management oversight of more than 850 completed school facilities projects in SDA Districts and has executed more than 5,400 grants for Regular Operating Districts throughout the State of New Jersey. For more information about the SDA, please visit our website at: www.njsda.gov or follow us on social media at: Facebook; Instagram; LinkedIn; or Twitter.