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L. HARVEY SMITH ACTING MAYOR CITY HALL JERSEY CITY, NJ 07302 TEL:(201) 547-5200 FAX:(201) 547-4288

JERSEY CITY-Acting Mayor L. Harvey Smith and Jersey City School Board officials announced today that they are in agreement that the proposed Heights location for an early childhood center is not feasible for the development plans.

Smith, Jersey City Schools Superintendent Charles T. Epps Jr. and other school officials convened today to review feasibility studies for the proposed 20 classroom early childhood center that would have been constructed in area that would encompasses Columbia Avenue, Kennedy Boulevard, Bowers and Lincoln streets. The consensus opinion arrived during the meeting was that the school would not best suit the needs of the school board or the city at that location.

"The board (of Education) with input for the Mayor has come to the conclusion that the site simply is not conducive to what all parties are trying to achieve here," Smith said. "Our city, like all growing cities have a distinct need for new schools. However, we agree with the board that those schools need to be strategically placed so to best serve the community and meet the school board's standards."

Had school and city officials concluded with a different assessment of the project location, 11 residential and three commercial properties in a oneblock area would have been forced to relocate.

Additionally, a garment factory that employs 300 and two smaller businesses would also have been forced to move to make way for the new structure.

"The fact that their have been public hearings on the matter shows the board and the city's concerns to look at this project and all projects are above board and are being scrutinized to ensure that the public' interest is served," Smith said.

Epps, who is shepherding the construction of several new school projects in the city, said the search for a more suitable location will continue vigorously.

"You have witnessed a comprehensive process at work. We've done a number of studies for the site and we've concluded it is not the best one," Epps said. "We have identified other areas for the school and we will begin the feasibility studies of those locations as well. Once we have a suitable site, Jersey city will have another fine new institution of learning that we all can be proud of."

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