[First Reprint]

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 69

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MAY 9, 1996

 

 

By Senators LITTELL, LaROSSA, Inverso, Ewing, Kyrillos, Kenny, Lipman and Assemblyman Kavanaugh

 

 

A Concurrent Resolution expressing the approval of the Legislature for the "Cultural Campus Project - Phase I," involving building renovation for the New Jersey Department of State by the New Jersey Building Authority and 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.

 

Whereas, In 1993, the New Jersey Building Authority, hereinafter "the Authority," approved a project report for the renovation of the State Education Building for the use of and occupancy by the Department of Education, which project was also approved by the New Jersey Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning and the Legislature (ACR 144, 1993); and

Whereas, In January, 1994, the Authority sold bonds for a number of projects, including $15,7000,000 for the renovation of the Education Building; and

Whereas, An interdepartmental executive branch task force has recommended that the Education Building would be more appropriately renovated to house the Department of State for, among other purposes, the maintenance and protection of the State Archives; and

Whereas, On June 20, 1995, 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 the change of use and a project report entitled "Cultural Campus Project - Phase I," which set forth the pertinent modifications, at the same estimated cost; and

Whereas, On August 25, 1995, the New Jersey Commission on Capital Budgeting and Planning adopted Resolution #96-01 approving that project report; and

Whereas, On October 10, 1995, the Authority held a public meeting on the project report, in the City of Trenton, pursuant to section 7 of the act; and

Whereas, On May 2, 1996, pursuant to section 8 of the act, the Authority submitted the project report and supporting documentation, as required pursuant to subsections d. and e. of section 6 of the act, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly; and

Whereas, The act requires that a project to be undertaken by the New Jersey Building 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 includes Trenton; and

Whereas, The project will accommodate the present and projected facility needs of the occupying agency, upgrade and modernize building infrastructure and perform life safety and deferred maintenance improvements; and

Whereas, The project report has the following general characteristics:

    Location - 225 West State Street, Trenton;

    Description - Renovation and infrastructure replacement and repairs             to life safety elements of the building;

    Size - Approximately 107,250 square feet;

    Agencies proposed for use - Space is to be used for State archives     collection and several other Department of State operations; and

    Projected costs - $15.7 million; now, therefore,

 

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

 

    1. The project described in the project report entitled "Cultural Campus Project - Phase I" is approved. This approval shall be deemed to include changes or modifications to the project as architectural or engineering designs, or changes in the needs of the executive agencies, indicate are necessary; provided that such changes or modifications do not materially change the scope or use of the project or materially increase the cost as described in the project report after adjustments for the effects of inflation in the construction industry.

 

    12. The Legislature recognizes that while it did not act on the project within the 45 days of submission of the plan by the building authority required by section 8 of the "New Jersey Building Authority Act," P.L.1981, c.120, the Legislature notes that the plan was resubmitted to it by the building authority on June 27, 1996 and the sense of the Legislature is that the project should proceed despite the delay.1

 

    1[2.] 3.1 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.

 

    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.

 

 

                             

 

Approves Building Authority project for the Department of State.