Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. Technical School – Newark’s Vo-Tech Marvel

On Jun 29, 2019

This West Market Street property was once graced by United Hospital. But when the hospital was closed and abandoned, the buildings needed to be demolished and the property environmentally remediated before any redevelopment could take place. Today, the new, state-of-the-art Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. Technical School anchors the site and stands as a model of urban renewal and green community initiatives. 

Comprised of more than 85 classrooms and labs, numerous common areas, a cafeteria, media center, gymnasium and 800-seat auditorium, the complex also features a rooftop greenhouse and accompanying gardens that support the school’s Agricultural Science department. A 150-space underground parking garage lies beneath a sprawling artificial turf green space with paver walkways and seating areas, which offers an outdoor retreat for students. 

The $106-million project was a collaboration between the County of Essex and Essex County Schools of Technology, with community input and involvement, as the site is bordered by residential streets. Despite the number of stakeholders involved, the project was completed on time and within budget. The development required some 425,000 man-hours of construction and design firm labor (approximately 250 onsite daily jobs), and today provides more than 100 jobs for teachers, administrators, custodians, food service and security personnel.

The school is in the process of obtaining a LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its environmentally responsible project design and development.

The Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. Technical School is a part of the Essex County Schools of Technology Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility, designed to complement students’ education with real-world, hands-on experience and benefit the business and industry sectors by preparing students in the trades. As students graduate from the school and move on to careers in fields such as forensic science, culinary arts, music production, cosmetology, and construction trades, the long-term economic benefit of this center of learning is immeasurable.

OWNER

Essex County Schools of Technology, Newark

ARCHITECT

Di Cara | Rubino Architects
Wayne

BUILDER

DOBCO, Inc., Wayne

NOMINATORS

Jonathan V. Crawford, PE, SE
Assistant Structural
Department Manager
French & Parrello Assoc.
Wall

Germano R. Rubino, AIA
Principal
Di Cara | Rubino Architects
Wayne