FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 31,2025

Contact: Edye Maier (609) 858-2909

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) announced the award of a $69,500,000 design-build contract to Dobco, Inc. to design and construct a new school in Garfield. The Notice to Proceed with the initial design phase of the design-build project was issued on January 24, 2025.

“The award and commencement of a design-build contract is an important step in the construction of a new school that will enhance the educational opportunities for Garfield students,” said SDA CEO Manuel Da Silva. “We are committed to providing our most important stakeholders, the students, with a new school that will help them to thrive and pursue their dreams. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Garfield School District as we advance this project.”

"I am excited to begin the design phase of this much needed project with the New Jersey Schools Development Authority," stated Garfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Richard Tomko. "This newest addition to the city will spotlight the district's commitment to enhancing the educational environment for generations of students to come."

The construction of this highly anticipated school will result in a 132,000-square-foot facility for a maximum of 850 students in grades kindergarten through five. Some highlights of the educational spaces that the new school will feature include: general classrooms, a vocal music room, an instrumental lesson room, an art room with a kiln, a STEAM lab, a media center, a cafeteria, a multi-purpose room, and a gymnasium.

The first phase of this design-build contract will be design services. This initial phase typically takes about six to nine months. By utilizing a design-build approach, some design and construction activities are often able to proceed concurrently through phased advancement. Dobco, Inc., will work with NK Architects, P.A. on the design of the school. SDA issued an advertisement this month for the engagement of a firm to provide construction management services for the project.

An early site preparation contract, previously awarded to APS Contracting, Inc. of Paterson, New Jersey, allowed for abatement, demolition and site preparation activities at the site of the former Woodrow Wilson School No. 5. This initial site work prepared the site for future construction of the new school. The new school facility is anticipated to open to students in September 2027. The total estimated SDA project costs for the new school, inclusive of all previous expenditures and contingencies, is $87.6 million.

To date, the SDA has invested nearly $97 million in completed projects in Garfield alone, since the inception of the school construction program. The SDA’s current portfolio of active projects is valued at over $2 billion – including the Capital Project portfolio, emergent and capital maintenance projects and Regular Operating District grants.

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 900 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.