Please check back often for updates.

Capital Improvement Program Update
November 2023

• On October 20, 2023, a total of seven bids were received and opened for the Phase one project.  O’Connor Company from Aberdeen, NC, was the low bidder and following Contractor Qualification meetings lead by our Construction Management firm, the recommendation was made to accept their offer.  On November 2, 2023, the BOCES Cooperative Board accepted the recommendation and awarded the bid.
   
• O’Connor's total bid price was $3,349,900.00.  The projected budget for this phase was $2,528,988.00.  Based on this result, value engineering* for the remainder of the project has begun.  We anticipated bids to come in over budget based upon recent information related to material cost increases and product availability issues.
• It is anticipated that construction will begin during the month of December and Phase one will be complete and ready for occupancy in September 2024.

Next Steps

• While we await approval and subsequent building permits from the New York State Department of Education for phase two and four, we continue to work on the design of the remaining phases.  Value engineering will continue and market trends will continue to be analyzed and considered.

 

*Value engineering is a systematic, organized approach to providing necessary functions in a project at the lowest cost. Value engineering promotes the substitution of materials and methods with less expensive alternatives, without sacrificing functionality .

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About BOCES & the Capital Project

The Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) operates in partnership with 17 local school districts to provide specialized educational opportunities and services.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is vital to both our students and the local workforce. Through CTE, students receive education and training in job skills for numerous trades, including automotive, health careers and aviation. The Division of Special Education provides specialized instruction for children with needs that cannot be supported in their home school districts. In addition, Adult Education programs are an indispensable source of education and training for adult learners. Each year, the BOCES serves more than 2,000 CTE students, 1,000 special needs students and in excess of 4,500 adult education students.

The BOCES also provides vital and cost-effective support services to area school districts. For example, more than 6,500 area teachers received professional development through the BOCES Instructional  Support Division. The Technology Division assists districts by providing internet services and last year facilitated  the purchase of more than 12,000 devices now in use in schools throughout the region.

The initial scope of the capital project was determined through the Building Condition Survey (BCS) which is mandated by the State of New York for all school districts every five years. The BCS identified significant areas of need across the campuses. The Gibson Road Campus, with buildings constructed in 1971, has the greatest need. The most recent capital project on this campus was completed in 1988, 34 years ago. The Arden Hill Campus (the former Arden Hill Hospital) requires significant work to be fully renovated into educational space.

By going forward with this comprehensive project, including all of the critical renovations and improvements, this initiative seeks to take advantage of an economy of scale. This will eliminate the need for the BOCES to bring smaller scaled projects to our community every few years. The construction and renovation would start in 2024.

BOCeS BY THE NUMBERS

 

Project details

Gibson Road campus:

The Career and Technical Education Center (CTEC) would be updated at a cost of $67M. Renovations would include:

• Replacement of original roof (1971)
• Replacement of original single-pane windows (1971)
• Replacement/upgrade of electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
• Advancements in energy efficiency
• Construction of security vestibule to establish single point of entry
• Replacement/upgrade of failing sanitary and well systems
• Masonry cleaning/repointing/repairs in select locations
• Replace selected interior doors
• Replace selected interior wire-glass
• Replace selected folding partitions
• HVAC/Exhaust in selected shop classrooms
• HVAC replacement in classrooms to a central chilled water system
• Replace HVAC pneumatic controls with DDC
• Electrical distribution repairs including panelboards, switchboards and transformers
• Replacement of lighting with LED fixtures in selected areas
• Install a new generator
• Asphalt pavement repairs/repaving
• General classroom renovations
• Shop classroom renovations
• Corridor & stair renovations
• Multi-user toilet room renovations
• Renovation of greenhouses
• New classroom addition including sitework
• New loading dock addition including sitework

The Emanuel Axelrod Education Center would be updated at a cost of $57M. Renovations would include:

• Replacement of original roofs (1971, 1988)
• Replacement of original single-pane windows (1971, 1989)
• Replacement/upgrade of electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
• Advancements in energy efficiency
• Construction of security vestibule to establish single point of entry
• Creation of support space for students
• Conversion of administrative space to student classrooms
• Masonry cleaning/repointing/repairs in select locations
• Repairs at selected retaining walls
• Repairs to selected exterior walkways, stairs, and play areas
• Replace selected interior doors
• Replace selected interior wire-glass
• Therapy pool edge refurbishment
• HVAC replacement in 1988 addition
• Add air-conditioning in lobby and gymnasium
• Replace domestic hot water heater
• Replace HVAC pneumatic controls with DDC
• Electrical distribution repairs including panelboards, switchboards and transformers
• Replacement of lighting with LED fixtures in selected areas
• Provide fire alarm in required locations
• Asphalt pavement repairs / repaving
• General classroom renovations
• Corridor & stair renovations
• Multi-user toilet room renovations
• Auditorium renovation
• Cafeteria/stage renovation
• Library renovation
• Courtyard Renovations

Arden Hill campus:

The Arden Hill Campus would be updated at a cost of $35M. Renovations would include:

• Replacement of the roof on the main building
• Replacement of exterior windows
• Renovation of third floor to add ten classrooms
• Renovation of north wing to add seventeen classrooms
• Construction of new gymnasium (no gymnasium currently exists)
• Masonry cleaning/repointing/repairs in select locations
• Repairs to loading dock
• Replacement of selected overhead doors
• Minor interior finish repairs
• Repairs to electrical distribution including panelboards
• Asphalt pavement repairs/repaving
• Renovation of office building to allow for conversion to classrooms on Gibson Road
  • Full gut renovation of interior to administrative spaces
  • Small addition for ADA wheelchair lift
  • Roof replacement
  • Window replacement
  • Repairs to exterior stairs
  • Partial replacement of exterior finishes
  • Sitework including utilities, parking and walkways

Amount

With a total project cost of $158,825,054 the average cost per month to a homeowner with a property assessed at $300,000 (equalized) is $4.58. This project is eligible for State Aid, which will be reimbursed to the local school districts.

PowerPoint

A PowerPoint summarizing the projects can be viewed HERE.