Rutgers groups oppose New Brunswick school demolition for Cancer Institute expansion

NEW BRUNSWICK – More than a dozen Rutgers University groups have voiced their opposition to the potential demolition of a city school, paving the way for a medical center expansion.

Rutgers AAUP-AFT, a union of more than 4,000 members, unanimously passed a resolution last week opposing the expansion of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, part of RWJBarnabas Health, on the site of Lincoln Annex School, 165 Somerset St.

According to the resolution, the union opposes the move until the New Brunswick Board of Education "builds or obtains a permanent school with at least equal capacity and amenities, that resides within the 5th Ward of New Brunswick serving the same community."

The following night, the Rutgers University Student Assembly passed its own resolution condemning the sale and demolition of Lincoln Annex School "before a new school is built for its students" and advocated for an agreement that "keeps in mind the fates of children and families affiliated with Lincoln Annex School."

The resolution was co-sponsored by 11 groups, including the Rutgers Business Governing Council, Mason Gross Student Government Association,

Douglass Governing Council and Rutgers NAACP.

Charlie Kratovil, editor of New Brunswick Today – a news organization – and an activist with the Fifth and Sixth Wards Neighborhood Association, which is rallying in favor of Lincoln Annex School, said the support of the Rutgers groups is "huge."

"I think it means that we're gaining momentum and people who are part of the larger community are going to stick up for public education," Kratovil said. "It's nice to see the students and faculty standing strong with the public school of New Brunswick that would be affected by this really atrocious proposal that would displace 750 young students."

New Brunswick Public Schools purchased the school from St. Peter's Church in November 2013 for $7.4 million, according to the deed.

Schools Business Administrator Richard Jannarone said in September the district has spent $22 million on the school.

Rutgers University and RWJBarnabas Health unveiled plans in June for a $750 million free-standing cancer pavilion that  they say would allow scientists and doctors to turn the latest research into treatment under one roof.

The project is also a partnership with the New Brunswick Development Corp., or DEVCO, a private nonprofit urban real estate development company.

"We're completing our analysis and final design options for the cancer pavilion, which we expect to be completed in the next 30 days," DEVCO President Christopher Paladino previously said, adding that the analysis includes two sites. 

He said once the alternatives are vetted, a recommendation will be made for "which site works best for delivering not only the clinical care and creating the right space for research, but also for in-patient delivery of services."

Kratovil said if Lincoln Annex School is sold, displaced students may end up at the converted warehouse on Van Dyke Avenue, where the district housed students for nearly 10 years when the A.C. Redshaw Elementary School on Livingston Avenue was demolished and rebuilt.

"They're looking to expand, and we're not against that, but we don't want the expansion to come at the expense of, or the displacement of, 750 young students who are doing well," Kratovil said.

READ:Activists oppose potential sale of New Brunswick school for Rutgers-RWJ cancer expansion

Rutgers AAUP-AFT President Todd Wolfson agreed.

"I think the reason why the faculty has decided to engage with this issue is because it's a Rutgers cancer pavilion, so Rutgers is involved deeply with this development," he said. "We have no problem, obviously, with expanding cancer research or care, but we feel strongly that it cannot be done on the back of children in New Brunswick."

At the last board of education meeting on Jan. 21, dozens came out to oppose the sale of Lincoln Annex School. When several residents were turned away from the public comment period for not signing up to speak in advance, people began shouting: "Shame! Shame! Shame!"

READ:Rutgers boards approve hiring university's first non-white president in school's 254 years

The Fifth and Sixth Wards Neighborhood Association plans to continue its push to save Lincoln Avenue School at the next school board meeting on Feb. 25. It also will meet independently Monday at the Hungarian Heritage Center, 300 Somerset St. 

For more information, visit the group's Facebook at page at www.facebook.com/Wards5and6.

Email: ngmuscavage@gannettnj.com

Nick Muscavage is a watchdog reporter for the Courier News, Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to his investigative work that has exposed wrongdoing and changed state law, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.