Construction industry faring well on public school campuses

School districts in Westchester County are wrapping up large-scale construction and renovation projects, while others that are just getting started.

One of the priciest construction projects in Westchester County broke ground in July at Sleepy Hollow Middle and High School. The $72 million project

Some other additions to Sleepy Hollow Middle and High School include a new gymnasium, auditorium, cafeteria, nurse's office and library. The cafeteria, nurses office and library will have separate entrances in an effort to spread out the middle and high school students.

Howard Smith, superintendent of the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns, said that in addition to the construction, which is expected to be done in spring 2009, the middle and high school are undergoing extensive renovations, as well.

"Our overall plan involves a lot of renovation within the building so we can isolate a space to work on without creating a new space to place our students," Smith said. "Everytime we fix up a space, we will move kids in ... and over the course of three years we will work our way through the entire building."

Smith acknowledged that the school hadn't been renovated since it was built in the 1950s, which was one reason for the project. An increase in the number of students attending the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns was a second reason.

"The high school, in particular, is a 50-year-old building. Our heating system was on its last legs, our electric system was overtaxed and our plumbing system was outdated," Smith said. "We are essentially bringing the building up to 21st-century standards. Another reason is our enrollment is up from a few years ago ... and we're projected to keep growing. We. just ran out of space and we need more space."

The expansion of the Washington Irving Intermediate School, which is included in the $72 million price tag, is expected to begin later in the fall, once the sixth grade can be moved up to the middle school.

Andrew LaBella, business manager for the Tarrytowns schools, said the district would be paying for the project through loans, state funding and school taxes.

"We are going to be borrowing the money with a combination or short-term notes and long-term bonds over the next few years to pay for the project," LaBella said. "Eighty-three percent or the project will be paid for through school taxes and 17 percent will be paid for through state building aid."

LaBella said the school district should receive additional school taxes from the future General Motors and Ferry Landing development, upon its completion, because "the taxes from there should be able to finance the principal and interest on the loans for the project."

BYRAM HILLS

In Armonk, the Byram Hills Central School District is close to completing construction on its four school buildings.

At H.C. Crittenden Middle School, a $17.4 million, two-story addition is going up. Once the construction is completed, the school will have 10 additional classrooms, which includes a new science room and teaching rooms for art and support services. Other projects include an expansion of the school's cafeteria and renovations to the school's music, kitchen and faculty rooms.

A new two-story wing at Byram Hills High School is being built with a budget of $16.2 million. The expansion will provide 11 classrooms, including four science labs and rooms for support services, art, music and departmental offices. Upgrades to the school's technology lab and cafeteria kitchen are also being completed.

Renovations and expansions totaling $13.4 million are coming to a close at Wampus Elementary School and Coman Hill Elementary School.

Richard Lasselle, acting business administrator for Byram Hills, said that all or the projects are coming together as scheduled, three of which will be finished by September.

"The projects are on time and under budget," Lasselle said, "Three of the four projects - Byram - Hills I High School, the Coman Hill School and the Wampus elementary school - will be open in time for school. The Crittenden School is slated to be completed in January and we are about it month ahead of schedule right now."

Lasselle said that Byram Hills has seen an increase in its number of students, which proved to be the primary reason behind the construction. "We have experienced significant enrollment growth and the expansions were needed to accommodate that growth."

Lasselle said the cost of the projects, which total approximately $47 million, would mainly be paid for through school taxes. "Byram Hills receives very little state building aid - just 10 percent." Ninety-percent of the projects are funded through taxpayer dollars."

MERCY COLLEGE:

* At Dobbs Ferry, the college's, main campus, initial steps have been taken toward planning some changes to get the best use of the facilities and make the campus more accessible and modern.

* Renovation is under way at the Hudson View Cafe, the college's main cafeteria and lounge. The work began last month and is expected to be completed by Sept. 4, the start of the fall semester. Renovations include installation of cyber stations with wireless terminals on a space overlooking the Hudson River, a lounge area with a fireplace, pendant lighting and roman shades, new seating and partition walls.

* The Hudson View renovations are one part of a continuing effort to move Mercy forward and will coincide with the "common hour" program the school expects to begin this fall. The common hour idea is a time during the week without any classes scheduled, which would allow for clubs and organizations to meet and utilize the new space. The "common hour" is tentatively set for Tuesdays between 1 and 2:30 p.m.

* Essentially, the Hudson View project is part of an overall effort on the Dobbs Ferry campus that will cost approximately $4 million.

Source: Public Relations Manager Phil McNamara, public relations manager

IONA COLLEGE:

* Last September, the now three-level Robert Lee Lapenta Student Union opened its doors. It contains an activities room, a coffee shop, administrative offices and the student-newspaper and yearbook, among other facilities.

* An extension onto the Hynes Athletic Center doubled the old facility's capacity. Opened in January, it contains fitness and cardio rooms, studio rooms and new gym specifically for intramural sports.

* Blueprints are in the works for extensions to the library.

Source: Cindy Zapata, administrative assistant for capital projects

SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE:

Due to the opening of the Monika A. and Charles A. Heimbold Visual Arts Center in 2004, about 21,000 square feet of space was opened up on the campus and prompted the following renovations:

* Bates Hall, formerly the visual arts building, was transformed into student meeting areas, recreation spaces and student affairs offices over the course of the past year.

* The school's bookstore was moved over the summer into the performing arts center. The store was expanded and upgraded into a much larger space that was previously home to the visual arts department.

* In addition, the residence at 45 Wrexham Road that at one point was the Rwandan Embassy is undergoing renovation and will be home to a Center for Continuing Education and two health-related graduate programs. The facility is expected to open around Oct. 1.

Source: Judith Schwartzstein, director of media and community relations