New public safety facility to be built in New Brunswick
Archived article from Jan 25, 2002
By Douglas Frank
Rutgers and New Brunswick city officials briefed the Board of Governors Dec. 14 on the concept of a new public safety building and parking garage to be constructed at Commercial Avenue and George Street in New Brunswick. The approximately 74,500-square-foot building will be home to the Division of Public Safety and will house the University Police and emergency services departments. A 350-space parking garage will be built adjacent to the structure.
The facility will be financed and developed by the New Brunswick Development Corporation (DEVCO). The concept calls for the university to enter into a 30-year lease agreement with DEVCO that will require final approval by the board.
"This project demonstrates the critical importance of productive partnerships to our ability to reach our goals of excellence for Rutgers and for the people of this state," said President Francis L. Lawrence. "Of all our partnerships, the one that goes back the farthest is the one between Rutgers and our senior host community — the city of New Brunswick. Both town and gown have benefited immeasurably over the years from our close cooperation and from the abiding commitment and respect each of the partners has for the other."
To Mayor James Cahill, the project is "another giant step in the continuation of the revitalization efforts in New Brunswick. The ability to take private sector expertise and involvement such as represented by DEVCO to the aid of governmental and educational institutions has been a great step for all of us."
The consolidation of police and emergency services "will allow the Division of Public Safety to operate more efficiently, service all campuses more effectively and improve public safety for everyone in the area," said JoAnne Jackson, senior vice president and treasurer.
DEVCO will issue 30-year tax-exempt bonds to finance the acquisition of the property and the construction of the facility. Annual lease payments by building tenants are not anticipated to exceed $1.8 million. Ownership of the property will go to the university at the conclusion of the 30-year lease.
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