New Jersey Schools Development Authority Awards Contract for New Camden High School
Multi-million Contract Marks Significant State Investment in Camden

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA) has awarded a $99,585,000 Design-Build contract to Ernest Bock and Sons, Inc. to construct a new Camden High School.

"A new Camden High School will provide the city with a modern, innovative educational environment that will help Camden students strive and reach for their dreams," said SDA CEO Lizette Delgado Polanco. "Together with the Camden School District, local officials and the community, we will fulfill SDA's commitment to positively impacting the lives of students in Camden."

The construction of this highly anticipated school will result in a 270,000-square-foot, two-story education complex for more than 1,200 students. The project includes four small learning communities, a gymnasium, cafeteria, auditorium and media center, among many of its state-of-the-art amenities.

The project, which will be completed in two phases, is estimated to generate approximately 1,000 construction and ancillary jobs. The first phase, demolition of the former Camden High School and associated site work, is nearly complete. The second phase, the design-build construction of the new school, will begin with the initial design phase that is anticipated to commence next month. The new school is currently scheduled to open to students in September 2021.

Ernest Bock and Sons, Inc. of Philadelphia, was selected from among four firms that submitted proposals on June 27, 2018. As part of its design-build engagement, Ernest Bock and Sons, Inc. will work with Design Ideas Group Architecture + Planning, LLC of New Brunswick, New Jersey on the design of the school. SDA anticipates issuing a procurement for construction management services in October 2018.

To date, the SDA has invested more than $260 million in completed projects in Camden alone, including five Capital projects and 58 health and safety/grant/emergent projects. The SDA’s current portfolio of active projects is valued at over $2 billion – including the Capital Project portfolio, emergent projects and Regular Operating District grants.