The Authority Newsletter - December 2025

What's New at The Authority?

Upper Deerfield BOE 

The Seabrook School Pre-K expansion is progressing as planned. The concrete building pad was poured in early November and the masons have been working hard to get exterior and bearing walls installed. The team expects to have masonry wall work completed in late December. The electrician is keeping pace with the masons getting their boxes and pathways installed, as the masons build their walls. Steel lintels have been delivered, and wood trusses have been put into production.

Linden Street Homes

Progress continues on Linden Street. Construction of the six new homes remains on track. Prior to Thanksgiving, all six houses were framed and under roof with window and door installation complete. A lottery of over 500 applicants was held in early November, and six future homeowners have been selected. The Authority wishes to congratulate these families and looks forward to seeing homeownership opportunities in Salem City continue to grow. 

Land Bank

The Authority presented its Land Bank plan to Salem City Council last month and is working closely with City leadership, the housing committee, and Community Advisory Board to finalize the transfer of properties into the Land Bank. The Authority has identified two focus areas: the City’s quality improvement zone between Olive Street and Yorke Street, and the downtown area around Fenwick Plaza. Discussions with the City have focused on identifying goals, such as homeownership, as well as strategic aggregation of vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties. The Authority team continues to survey vacant and abandoned properties and will be launching a webpage with an interactive map later this month. 

CCTEC

Ogren Construction has mobilized and set up temporary fencing, as well as delivered the office trailer and heavy equipment. Underground stormwater work is scheduled to begin in the upcoming weeks. The new addition will be approximately 16,800 square-feet and house two dual-use classrooms, a construction lab, two manufacturing labs, a photonics stem lab, and welding lab, along with support spaces, such as offices, a conference room, and utility spaces. This exciting addition will provide space for training the future community contributors in much needed specialized areas. The project is expected to be complete in Spring 2027. 

Bridgeton Fire Station

The new Bridgeton Fire Station is progressing according to plan. Historic marble is being reinstalled to recreate the historic main floor entry lobby. The historic replica windows are being installed and the building pad is complete. The structural steel for the pre-engineered building is ready to begin. Scaffold is being erected to begin building the new stair tower.  The project remains on schedule for completion in Summer 2026. 

Cape May Police Department and Justice Complex

Site operations for the new Cape May Police Station have steadily progressed. Crews have been working on establishing control for the site and laying out the locations for the helical pile foundation system. Installation of the helical piles has begun, marking the project’s transition into structural work. The project remains on schedule as work will soon shift toward footings, foundations, and underground utility installation. Steady progress is also being made at the new $21,546,500 Cape May County Justice Complex. Since breaking ground on October 1, 2025, the site has been cleared, the building pad has been established, and the footings are in progress. Foundation walls are expected to commence soon. Stormwater Bioretention Basin #1 is fully excavated, and significant progress has been made on the storm drainage piping and precast concrete drainage structures. There have been no Change Orders to date, and the project remains on schedule for substantial completion by July 7, 2027.

Cumberland and Salem Economic Update

On the morning of December 5, The Authority’s President/CEO, Jerry Velazquez, presented as the Keynote Speaker at the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey’s annual Regional Economic Perspective event, focusing on economic development in Cumberland and Salem Counties. The presentation included highlights on economic development in the region, an update on The Authority’s 2030 Strategic Plan, and a panel discussion with local mayors and economic development leaders.

Click the file below to read more about the latest news, projects, and events at The Authority.

December 2025 Newsletter.pdf

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