Citizen Schools Moves Offices to Berger's 570 Broad in Newark

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct. 10, 2012 - Citizen Schools, a national nonprofit organization that partners with middle schools to expand the learning day, has leased 3,000 square feet for its New Jersey offices at 570 Broad in Newark. The Berger Organization manages and operates the 15-story tower, which will house Citizen School's development, volunteer and administrative teams.

Citizen Schools mobilizes adult volunteers to help improve student achievement for low-income children by teaching skill-building apprenticeships. The organization's programs blend these real-world learning projects with rigorous academic and leadership development activities, preparing students in the middle grades for success in high school, college, the workforce and civic life.

Founded in Boston in 1995, Citizen Schools has grown into a network of 32 middle school partner sites in low-income communities across eight states. This includes three schools in Newark: the Louise A. Spencer School, Eagle Academy for Young Men and Newark Early College High School (middle school portion). Previously, Citizen Schools housed its New Jersey offices at its partner sites.

"We are a growing organization and needed a space to accommodate that," said Lucy Castillo, executive director of Citizen Schools New Jersey. "As a nonprofit, you can sometimes feel that large corporations don't take you seriously, despite the impactful work you do. The Berger Organization made us feel like they really wanted us at 570 Broad. The customer service was great. The location, with accessibility to many of our partner organizations and transportation, made it a great choice."

According to Miles Berger, chairman and chief executive officer of The Berger Organization, his firm always has been committed to helping both non- and for-profit tenants in a wide range of industries prosper and grow. "We are especially dedicated to organizations that are working to strengthen our community," he said. "Currently, there exists great opportunity in the educational sector in Newark. We are seeing, first-hand, the kind of quality endeavors this is fostering."

To this end, two new charter high schools, Newark Prep and Spirit Prep, opened in September at 570 Broad. Other tenants include State Farm Insurance, Chase Manhattan Bank, Baldassare & Mara, PC Tech and Lycatel. Full floors of 15,000 square feet, divisible to 2,500 square feet, remain available.

The Berger Organization maintains a controlling interest in 570 Broad Street, LLC, the partnership that owns 570 Broad. During the past few years, the ownership has updated the building's technology capabilities, and installed new state-of-the-art high-speed elevators, HVAC and security systems, and high-speed fiber-optics. The Berger Organization is in the midst of additional building infrastructure improvements. Ongoing plans call for a parking element with one space per 1,000 square feet, a conference room for use by tenants, and a fitness center for tenants and their employees.

Located across from Newark's Washington Square Park, 570 Broad offers easy access to Newark Penn Station and Broad Street Station; local dining, shopping and lodging; and entertainment venues like Prudential Center, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Newark Bears Stadium. The property also is within walking distance of the Newark campuses of Seton Hall and Rutgers universities, and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

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