A construction company based in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey has been awarded a contract to handle significant renovations involving Orange High School in the City of Orange. Awarded by the New Jersey Schools Development Authority (SDA), the nearly $40 million project includes an addition to the school’s existing structure and an enclosed circulation link bridge that will serve as a connection to a nearby preparatory school.
A Clinton-based company was awarded a contract to handle construction management duties for the high school renovation project. A New York-based architectural firm is also involved with the project. The extensive update to the school, which was built in 1974, is expected to be completed by the fall of 2021. When the renovations are finished, the school will be capable of educating a maximum of nearly 1,700 students.
The school district’s interim superintendent believes the renovations will produce a state-of-the-art facility designed to give students important college and career readiness opportunities. The first phase of the project will involve a review of plans and specifications to look for possible issues that could affect the project’s schedule and anticipated cost of completion. If this phase goes well, a notice-to-proceed will be issued so the renovation of the school can officially get underway. The SDA, the state agency responsible for funding and managing construction and improvement projects in 31 SDA districts, has already overseen similar efforts involving nearly 900 school facility projects.
With similar projects, New Jersey, New York, construction contract lawyers often get involved with the review of key documents before actual work gets started. The role of an attorney is to ensure that contract terms are fair and in line with what was agreed to by all relevant parties. Legal assistance may also be necessary if unforeseen circumstances arise as the project advances, especially if budgets or timelines will be affected.
