NEWS RELEASE

New Jersey Chapter, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties
NJ-NAIOP
317 George Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

IRVINGTON, N.J., Nov. 9, 2007 - "I want to play right now." These words, spoken by one of Myrna Williams-Smith's fifth grade students from the Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, summed up the feelings of everyone - young and old - who helped expand and enhance the playground at Irvington's Raymond C. Burgess, Sr. Memorial Park during "Build Day" on October 23.

Some 60 students - including the Wayne Smith Achievers, a group of fifth-grade students formed in honor of the mayor that focuses on academic accomplishments and community service - visited the site where more than 100 members and friends of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, New Jersey Chapter (NJ-NAIOP) volunteered for the eighth annual NJ-NAIOP Community Action Project. The professionals traded their Blackberries and cell phones for shovels and work gloves during the ambitious one-day project.

The result includes two new play structures, picnic tables and benches, a bike rack, landscaping and walkways. The Raymond C. Burgess, Sr. Memorial Park sits in the heart of a residential neighborhood, adjacent to the Thurgood Marshall School and the local Head Start program.

"This is a God send," Williams-Smith said. "Finally, we have a safe haven that can be utilized by the community and our school."

"The renovation of this park will provide an aesthetically appealing oasis where children, families and the community can simply relax or engage in recreational pursuits," said Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith, who supported the project with resources for site preparation, food for volunteers, equipment and other logistics involved with Build Day. "Its revitalization complements the beauty of the Thurgood Marshall School, and it will breathe new life into the entire neighborhood. We are grateful to NJ-NAIOP for its diligence and the dedication of its membership, funding and resources to this important community project."

The park was neglected for many years until 2003 - one year after Mayor Wayne Smith assumed office - when three new playground structures were installed to replace one in disrepair. In recognition of this revitalization effort, the park was renamed shortly thereafter to honor Raymond C. Burgess (deceased), a 15-year resident of Montgomery Avenue and one of Irvington's earliest, leading African American political activists. Burgess's legacy lives on with his daughter, Renee, who still resides on Montgomery Avenue and presides over the local Thurgood Area Block Association. Elected to the Board of Education in 2002, Burgess assumed the vice presidency last year and currently serves as president.

The Spiezle Group, an architectural firm in Trenton, and Maser Consulting of Red Bank served as NJ-NAIOP's project designers. The Irvington Chamber of Commerce Foundation was NJ-NAIOP's charitable fundraising partner for this year's project. The Foundation's mission is to provide needed funds for eligible organizations within the Township of Irvington and scholarships for qualified students at Irvington High School. The project also received tremendous support from Boyce Associates, a playground equipment vendor, and the New Jersey Department of Corrections Community Labor Assistance Program.

With the generous support of members and friends, NJ-NAIOP Build Day has contributed nearly $1 million in cash and in-kind services, along with thousands of volunteer hours, to New Jersey cities. Past beneficiaries have included Asbury Park, Elizabeth, Harrison, Newark, Paterson, Perth Amboy and Trenton.

"Since it began in 2000, Build Day has established an impressive track record of developing plans and designs to build and refurbish playgrounds in urban areas," said Michael McGuinness, NJ-NAIOP executive director. "Each year, our volunteers put forth amazing enthusiasm and effort to make Build Day a success. Their generosity reflects the community of caring that is so prominent in the New Jersey commercial real estate industry. We are proud to host Build Day as an opportunity for them to give back."

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The New Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NJ-NAIOP) is the trade association for developers, owners, brokers, investors and other professionals active in the industrial, office, retail and commercial real estate industry. Founded in 1970, the NJ Chapter is comprised of more than 545 members who benefit from a variety of business and networking opportunities, education and professional development programs, research on trends and innovations and strong legislative and public affairs representation. The New Jersey Chapter is part of the larger NAIOP organization founded in 1967, which is comprised of more than 16,000 members in 54 chapters throughout North America.

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