Contract OKd for new Camden middle school

New Jersey officials have awarded a $21 million contract to build a new middle school in Camden.

The Morgan Village Middle School, slated to be built on vacant land near an old school at Morgan Boulevard and Fairview Street, will serve 520 students, according to the Schools Development Authority. It will replace a middle school closed due to structural problems, and is expected to open in September 2010.

Chanree Construction, of Dover, won the contract.

After the new 92,390-square-foot school is built, another contract will be let to demolish the old building to provide a play area and parking lot, according to the authority.

- Jonathan Tamari