News 10.16

November Bond Act to Benefit Higher Education Capital Construction

The Building Our Future Act establishes a referendum on the November ballot seeking public approval for a $750 million investment to fund higher education capital projects in New Jersey. The initiative maintains broad political support from legislative leadership of both parties and Governor Christie. The Act won nearly unanimous approval from both the Senate and the Assembly. NJSA Supports this important proposal which will provide much needed investment in higher education facilities. More Information is available at Building Our Future Bond Act

Merck Moving Corporate Headquarters to Summit

Drugmaker Merck & Co. today announced plans to relocate its global headquarters from the Whitehouse Station section of Readington to an existing research, development and manufacturing facility in Summit as another step in consolidating office space to lower operating costs.

By mid-2015, Merck will close the Whitehouse Station headquarters and move approximately 1,100 employees and contractors to Summit, a spokesman said, and will divide 900 other workers between its locations in Branchburg and the Cokesbury section of Tewksbury. The Summit building currently houses 1,800 people in research, manufacturing, animal health, consumer care and administrative departments.

J.H. Cohn LLP and Reznick Group, P.C. Combine Firms, Form CohnReznick LLP

J.H. Cohn LLP and Reznick Group, P.C., two of the top-20 accounting and consulting firms in the U.S., today announced the completion of their combination, forming CohnReznick LLP. CohnReznick is now the 11th largest firm in the country with 25 offices, 2,000 employees and combined revenues of more than $450 million. J.H. Cohn has been a longstanding member and supporter of NJSA. More information is available at CohnReznick

Construction Roundtable of NJ Hosts 4th Annual Diversity in Construction Conference

The Construction Roundtable of New Jersey recently hosted their 4th Annual Diversity in Construction Conference at Farleigh Dickinson University. Nearly 150 attendees heard from a wide range of speakers with the goal of expanding opportunities for small, minority-owned, female-owned, and emerging businesses in the construction economy.

A rousing keynote address was delivered by Newark Mayor Cory Booker. Other speakers included representatives from organizations which support and promote small and diverse businesses, and governmental representatives including Marc Larkins, CEO of the NJ Schools Development Authority, Wallace Caban, Assistant Chief Engineer for the Port Authority of NY/NJ, and Elizabeth Mackay, Senior Advisor to Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno.

Major Construction Management firms and Project Owners also participated to advise attendees about upcoming work opportunities. The Conference was sponsored by Honeywell, Inc.

NJ Schools Development Authority Advertises $87 Million High School Project

The New Jersey Schools Development Authority has recently announced the advertisement of the Phillipsburg High School project. This is one of the largest construction projects in NJ this year. The SDA previously completed site work including the removal of large rock outcroppings, grading of soil to within one foot of final building elevation, construction of runoff prevention system and athletic fields. DIGroup Architecture of New Brunswick, NJ is the architect for the project. Heery International of Newark, NJ is the construction manager. The High School will be the second new facility built in Phillipsburg by the SDA.

The SDA completed construction of the Phillipsburg Early Childhood Center in 2006. This new project was selected for advancement as part of the 2012 Capital Project Portfolio announced by the Governor in February 2012.

The construction of this highly anticipated school will result in a 330,021 square foot facility to accommodate 1,846 students in grades nine to twelve that will be located on a 122 acre hilltop site in Lopatcong, NJ. The building includes 50 general classrooms, six special education classrooms, 12 Small Group Instruction rooms, three Health Classrooms, 12 science related classrooms, three business labs, three computer labs, vocal and instrument music rooms, a media center, an auditorium, a cafeteria and a gymnasium. The High School will also contain Vocational spaces that will offer instruction in areas including agriculture, materials, child development, foods, textiles, electronics, and energy/transportation. The school is anticipated for completion in August 2016.

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