“Today marks yet another milestone in the construction of this new school and brings Paterson’s students one step closer to the educational spaces they need to realize their academic potential,” said New Jersey Schools Development Authority CEO Charles B. McKenna in a statement.

The new P.S. 16 is designed to educate approximately 700 pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students. It will include 22 general use classrooms, four pre-kindergarten classrooms, three kindergarten classrooms, specialized instruction classrooms and labs, a media center, a gymnasium and a combination cafeteria/auditorium space.

Hall Construction Company Inc. of Howell, N.J., was awarded a $34.9 million contract for design and construction of the new school, which is being built using a design-build approach. Hall is also working with DIGroup Architecture of New Brunswick, N.J., on the design. Greyhawk North America LLC, headquartered in Mount Laurel, N.J., is the construction manager for the project.

The school is anticipated for student occupancy in September 2016.

In addition to work on P.S. 16, the SDA is also constructing the new 108,700-square-foot Marshall Street Elementary School on the corner of Hazel and Marshall in Paterson. Marshall Street Elementary is designed to accommodate approximately 650 students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Upon completion, the school will house 23 general classrooms, four kindergarten classrooms, specialized instruction classrooms and labs, a media center, gymnasium, similar cafeteria/auditorium space and a community room.

“The construction of two new elementary schools — School 16 as well as Hazel & Marshall — is great news for our school district and this city,” said State District Superintendent Donnie Evans, Ed.D, in a statement. “Our students deserve to receive a quality education in facilities that meet 21st century learning standards; and we thank the SDA for honoring their commitment to open both schools for the 2016 school year. We also look forward to continued collaboration with the SDA on meeting additional facilities needs as represented in our new five-year facilities plan.”

In recent years, the SDA has invested nearly $290 million in completed projects in Paterson alone including six capital projects and 56 health and safety/grant/emergent projects, according to a statement. The SDA’s current portfolio of active projects is valued at approximately $2 billion — including the Capital Project Portfolio, emergent projects and Regular Operating District grants.

The post N.J. School Celebrates Topping Out appeared first on School Construction News.