[First Reprint]

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 131

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

INTRODUCED MAY 22, 1997

By Senators LaROSSA and INVERSO

A Concurrent Resolution expressing the approval of the Legislature for the "New Jersey State House Dome Restoration and Renovation Project" and the "Labor Building Exterior Recladding and Curtain Wall Replacement Project" by the New Jersey Building Authority ¹[and], ¹ expressing the sense of the Legislature that Building Authority projects, particularly those within the State Capitol Complex, should be financed and managed by the authority ¹, and expressing the sentiment of the Legislature that funds remaining from the State Building Revenue Bonds, 1994 Series of the New Jersey Building Authority be used for a specific purpose¹.

Whereas, The New Jersey Building Authority, hereinafter "the authority," has determined that it is desirable and in the best interest of the authority to undertake the projects referenced herein involving the restoration and renovation of the State House Dome and the exterior recladding and curtain wall replacement of the State Labor Building; and

Whereas, On January 21, 1997, pursuant to the provisions of subsections a. and b. of section 6 of the "New Jersey Building Authority Act," P.L.1981, c.120 (C.52:18A-78.6), hereinafter "the act," the authority adopted a resolution approving a project report for the "New Jersey State House Dome Restoration and Renovation Project" and adopted a resolution approving a project report for the "Labor Building Exterior Recladding and Curtain Wall Replacement Project," which set forth the pertinent modifications; and

Whereas, On March 21, 1997, the New Jersey Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning adopted Resolutions #97-2 and 97-3 approving the above-noted project reports; and

Whereas, On May 8, 1997, pursuant to section 8 of the act, the authority submitted the project reports and supporting documentation, as required pursuant to subsections d. and e. of section 6 of the act, to the Speaker of the General Assembly and the President of the Senate; and

Whereas, The act requires that a project to be undertaken by the authority be approved by the Legislature within 45 days of submission, or the next meeting date immediately thereafter for a house not meeting on that date, or else the project shall be deemed disapproved; and

Whereas, The location of the project, as required by paragraph (5) of subsection e. of section 6 of the act, is consistent with the State's urban policy of concentrating public investments in distressed urban centers, which include Trenton; and

Whereas, The "State House Dome Project" described in the report entitled "New Jersey State House Dome Restoration and Renovation Project" has the following general characteristics:

    Location -125 West State Street, Trenton;

    Description -Restoration and Renovation of State House Dome;

Size - The cupola and lantern, which sit on top of the gilded dome, rise 145 feet from ground level; and

    Projected costs - $12.0 million; and

Whereas, The "Labor Building Project" described in the report entitled "Labor Building Exterior Recladding and Curtain Wall Replacement Project" has the following general characteristics:

    Location -John Fitch Plaza, Trenton;

    Description -Exterior recladding and curtain wall replacement;

    Size - 400,000 square foot building;

Agencies Proposed Use -Space is to be used for Department of Labor activities and programs; and

    Projected costs - $12.3 million; ¹and

Whereas, The Legislature deems it appropriate to urge the New Jersey Building Authority to redirect for the planning and design of two new juvenile offender secure-care facilities those bond proceeds remaining from the State Building Revenue Bonds, 1994 Series of the New Jersey Building Authority that will not be expended for the cost of the acquisition and construction of South Woods State Prison (the Bridgeton Prison Project);¹ now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey (the General Assembly concurring):

    1. The projects described in the project reports entitled the "New Jersey State House Dome Restoration and Renovation Project" and the "Labor Building Exterior Recladding and Curtain Wall Replacement Project" are approved. This approval shall be deemed to include changes or modifications to the projects as to architectural or engineering designs, or changes in the needs of the executive agencies, which such agencies indicate are necessary; provided that such changes or modifications do not materially change the scope or use of the projects or materially increase the cost as described in the project reports after adjustments for the effects of inflation in the construction industry.

    2. It is the sense of the Legislature that New Jersey Building Authority projects, particularly those within the State Capitol Complex, should be financed and managed directly by the authority, with delegation to other State agencies of managerial responsibility only where the authority deems it necessary, but with full control over project management retained by the authority. To this end, it is further the sense of the Legislature that the authority assume the responsibility for the coordination, planning and integration of the sundry projects for the improvement of the State Capitol Complex.

    ¹3. It is the sense of the Legislature that the final total acquisition and construction cost of the South Woods State Prison (the Bridgeton Prison Project) will be less than the initial estimate of $264 million approved by the Legislature in 1993 and which amount was included in the State Building Revenue Bonds, 1994 Series of the New Jersey Building Authority. Although the final cost of the project is not yet known, there are strong indications that there will remain available bond proceeds which may be redirected to other approved New Jersey Building Authority projects. The Legislature deems it appropriate and necessary to urge the authority to redirect and utilize the remaining bond proceeds for the planning and design of two new juvenile offender secure-care facilities.¹

    ¹[3.] 4.¹ Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and attested by the Secretary thereof, and signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the New Jersey Building Authority.