Garfield School District

Message from the Chief Construction Officer:

Update on New School #5 Project

As the district's Chief Construction Officer, I am pleased to share the exciting progress of New Woodrow Wilson School #5. This project has been a true collaboration, with the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (NJSDA), city and county officials, Educators, Architects, and myself working together to create a space that will foster maximum learning for our students and staff.

From the early stages of educational programming, concept design and schematic design; to pre-demolition remediation, including environmental safety processes for lead and asbestos; to the bidding for demolition and design-build contractors, we've ensured that every step aligns with our commitment to creating a safe and innovative learning environment. The District will continue as an active participant in bi-monthly design and construction meetings throughout the duration of the project. Through this involvement, we will also work closely with the design-builder in order to obtain the required LEED credits in order to achieve building certification at its completion.

I’m pleased to report that the site is now cleared and ready for pre-construction activities. The design-phase of the design-build contract has commenced. The contractor has mobilized on the site to commence soil removal. We expect this work to take several months. This includes addressing critical elements water runoff management, and preparation for foundations. Following that, work on footings, foundations, a retaining wall, and storm water management is anticipated to begin in Summer 2025.

We have worked closely with neighboring residents throughout this process to ensure transparency and address property concerns.

We understand the importance of keeping the community informed. We meet Biweekly, and I will continue to provide updates on this website so that everyone is kept informed about the progress of New Woodrow Wilson School #5.

Thank you for your continued support as we build a state-of-the-art learning environment that will benefit our students for future generations

For more information on the SDA’s project, please visit here: https://www.njsda.gov/ProjectSchoolDetails/SchoolGrantDetails?vProjectID=03-1700-N22&vSchoolDistrict=GARFIELD

Sincerely,

Tony Lio Chief Construction Officer, CEFM