Brakes Slammed On New High School In Newark: Reports

NEWARK, NJ — Work on the Newark High School of Architecture and Interior Design has stalled amid questions about a developer’s deal with the district, reports say.

Earlier this year, the Newark Board of Education, in partnership with 155 Jefferson LLC, celebrated a groundbreaking at the school, the ninth opened in the district since Superintendent Roger León was appointed.

The school – which would be located at the previously vacant site of the former St. James Hospital – was expected to give a big boost to students who want to pursue careers in architecture, engineering and interior design when it opens, officials say. Read More: New High School In Newark Will Train Budding Architects, Designers

However, union officials alleged that the new school was being built with non-union laborers, who are being underpaid for their work and are not making prevailing wages. The deal between to develop the school would have resulted in tens of millions of dollars of taxpayer funds going to a for-profit real estate investment group, TAP Into Newark reported.

But as of this week, that deal may be off the table, a report says. “The lease is void,” developer Albert Nigri told NJ Advance Media.

“We’re turning the building into residential,” Nigri said, citing a “much greater” return on investment.

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