SOMERS, N.Y. - Construction for Phase 1 of the Somers school district’s three-part $63.9 million capital improvement project is expected to get underway next summer and to be completed by the fall of 2026.
John Hansen of Triton Construction and Mike Lantier of H2M Architects updated the Board of Education on scheduling and work scopes on Tuesday, Nov. 4, assuring it that their team will be keeping all parties, such as building administrators and district officials, fully informed so things run as smoothly as possible.
“There’s a lot going on here,” Hansen told trustees, adding that because there will be impacts on each of the district’s four buildings – Primrose Elementary School, Somers Intermediate School, Somers Middle School, and Somers High School – the aim is to do the majority of the work outside of academic and athletic hours.
There will also be upgrades at the district’s transportation facility.
Planning is essential not only to put be able to put contracts “together right” and at “a cost advantage to the district,” but to make sure it’s “feasible” for the team to maintain the proposed schedule, he said.
Hansen acknowledged that there are hurdles to overcome, such as the current “long lead times” in obtaining the necessary equipment and materials, and other things that are out of their direct control, such as the weather.
There are “contingencies” already built into the schedule, which Lantier called “conservative” and “realistic.”
The schedule has to mesh with the district’s ability to pay for the work. In other words, work will proceed as debts fall off and so forth.
If all goes well, construction on Phase 2 should start in the summer of 2027, continue during the summer of 2028, and be done and dusted by September 2028.
Phase 3 is expected to get underway in the summer of 2028 and be wrapped up that November.
Chris Platania, the district’s assistant superintendent for business and operations, agreed that logistics are going to be the biggest nut to crack.
“It’s going to be challenging and we’re going to need a lot of support from the community,” he said, noting that at certain times access to playing fields or parts of a building might be interrupted.
The district appreciates “everyone’s understanding” in advance, Platania said, adding that he knew the construction and design folks and the district “are all going to work together to get it done.”
“We just have to be upfront about it; it’s going to happen,” Board president Amanda Kandel pointed out.
Trustee Daryl Mundis weighed in.
“We’ve all been through construction projects at home. You put up with it, so you get a better product at the end. (In this case) it’s a safer environment that’s more conducive to learning,” he said.
Trustee Patrick Varbero asked about security during the active part of the project.
Hansen responded that when work has to be done during academic hours, the goal will be to separate faculty, staff, and students from construction workers. It that can't be done, then work might be shifted to "different hours," he said.
The team vets workers to the extent legally possible and also applies the district's own rules and regulations for visitors, he said.
Thanking the district’s director of facilities, Chris McCartney, as well as Hansen’s and Lantier’s teams for their “great work so far,” schools Superintendent Dr. Adam Bronstein said it was “wonderful to see the collaboration behind this effort.”
WHAT’S ENTAILED
The team parceled out certain amounts for each building but noted Tuesday that those “values” can be shifted around as needed.
Currently those are $12.2 million for PMS; $11.7 for SIS; $15.1 million for SMS; $23.2 million for SHS; and $1.6 million for the transportation facility.
After each design phase is completed, the next step is to go to the state Department of Education for permit approvals. After that, the bidding process begins and finally, construction starts.
"Input" meetings are ongoing.
PHASE 1
On the menu for Phase 1, which covers the top priority items, at PES are a wooden playground, classroom doors, an entrance canopy and stone wall.
At SIS, a playground and art room cabinetry.
At SMS, fire alarm upgrades, HVAC in the gym, and a digital school sign.
At SHS, fire alarm upgrades, boiler replacement, exterior lighting for turf fields one and two, a press box, and track replacement.
PHASE 2
Phase 2 includes electrical work and weatherization and fire alarm upgrades as well as flooring and windows at PES.
For SIS, that also includes outside learning spaces, parking lots, walkways, bathroom upgrades, and flooring and ceilings
At SMS, among the things to be improved are the “building envelope” (roof and façade), electrical and HVAC systems, classrooms, faculty bathrooms, and doors.
SHS has the biggest list. Besides the HVAC, to be addressed are weatherization, gym exterior ramp, floors, ceilings, bathrooms, windows, doors, classrooms, locker rooms, gym, and kitchen freezers.
PHASE 3
Phase 3 work at PES: classroom upgrades and site work.
At SIS, electrical and classroom upgrades, a potable water tank replacement.
At SMS, site work, outside learning space, classroom upgrades, and a kitchen LPG (liquid propane gas) tank.
At SHS, site work, a retaining wall, and classroom and auditorium upgrades.
Work at the transportation facility includes asphalt repair/replacement, a bus wash, and surveillance equipment.
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