Catalyst Experiential to Build State-of-the-Art EMS Facility and Two Monument Displays in Mount Laurel, NJ

Mount Laurel, NJ October 23, 2019 – Mt. Laurel Township has unanimously approved construction of a green-tech EMS facility on Route 73 just east of the NJ Turnpike, as well as two Monument Displays, one on Route 38 and one between I-295 and the New Jersey Turnpike. In a public private partnership with Catalyst Experiential, construction on the projects will begin by end of year and be completed by mid-2020.

The EMS location on Route 73 is centrally located so that responders can quickly reach more people. The parcel that was chosen was an abandoned lot, and the project will revitalize an underutilized eyesore into an architecturally significant and useful green-tech structure. The Mount Laurel “Wings” Monument Displays will transform lots that have been vacant for over ten years into gateways welcoming people to the community with two striking landmarks as well as over 4,000 plantings of species native to the area.

Catalyst Experiential is the latest company founded by Thaddeus Bartkowski, and focuses on a new form of public private partnership. They enter communities that have aspirations to improve life for residents, such as a dog park, a pedestrian bridge, a community landmark, or an EMS station. In the case of the EMS facility they bought the land, will construct the building, and then maintain the property at no cost to taxpayers. Advertising on displays integrated into each installation funds the project.

To design the Mount Laurel EMS, Catalyst sat down with the EMS leadership, and asked what features are most requested by first responders. Catalyst took that wish list, and included every item in the design. The facility will be 7,860 square feet with four 45’ long bays with garage doors on both sides of the building that allow for rapid response drive-through access. There are two separate dormitories, 2 laundry rooms, a training room, solar panels on the roof, and electric car charging stations, among other features. The training room can be used for voting on election day, fulfilling a township need for more polling locations.

Mt. Laurel Township, while anti-billboard, is embracing the convergence of community and communication, which is a growing need as traditional forms of communication become less relevant. EMS Deputy Chief John Hamilton is looking forward to using the displays to advertise for volunteers, “The displays will help us reach new volunteers, and the forward-thinking facilities will help us retain them.”

Amanda Toton, who led the project for Catalyst, notes, “I’ve lived in New Jersey my entire life, and I’m continually motivated by the opportunity to create distinctive landmarks and installations for municipalities that showcase their unique culture, reinforce their identity, and benefit the community as a whole—all without spending any taxpayer dollars.”

Contact:
Donna Katz
Grimm and Grove Communications
donna@grimmandgrove.com / 215.806.4594