Author: Zachary Hall

BCA Architects & Engineers began working with the District in 2015, when we were selected from a field of over ten firms to perform the 2015 Building Condition Survey. After walking every inch of the facilities, BCA completed the BCS and submitted it to SED. Additionally, as part of this process, BCA developed a long-range plan that featured an interactive spreadsheet that allowed various scenarios to be investigated, factoring in duration and inflation for future work. In the fall of 2017, BCA was hired to perform a study to determine whether the current Middle School students could be housed in the other district facilities if the Middle School were to be decommissioned. That analysis was delivered to the District in January of 2018 and presented to the Board of Education the following May. Subsequently, after much discussion over the winter of 2019, it was determined that closing the historic Middle School was not in the best interest of the community. BCA was then asked if the Middle School could be renovated, thus maintaining it as a viable school going forward. The answer to that question was a definitive “yes”. During the course of 2019, BCA worked diligently with the District to develop the a master plan that converts the Middle School into an Elementary school housing grades Pre K – 5, moves the Middle School into a former Elementary, creating a High School / Middle School campus, and moving the District Administration onto campus as well. The $55m referendum votes in March 2020. This plan solves the issue of what to do with the Middle School and paves the way forward with a plan that will set the District on a well thought out and reasonable course for the foreseeable future.

BCA Architects & Engineers has been working with Plattsburgh City School District since 1999. The most recent project work included a locker room reconstruction at the High School, a cafeteria addition at Oak Street Elementary School, curtain walls were replaced, the pool was completely renovated with new ceilings, lighting, regrout of ceramic tile at the Stafford Middle School, windows were replaced and a new parking area was created at Momot Elementary. All sites included hazardous material abatement, roofing replacement, kitchen upgrades, fire and security upgrades and improvements to mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems. The total value of the projects to date is $30,000,000.

BCA Architects & Engineers has been working with Ogdensburg City School District since 1998. The most recent project work includes restoration of the swimming pool, reconstruction of the main entrances, construction of handicapped accessible bathrooms, window replacements, mechanical upgrades, roof replacement, fire alarm upgrades, flooring replacement, masonry rehabilitation, consolidation of the elementary schools by closing two buildings and constructing multiple classroom primary additions. The athletic fields were reorganized with new ball fields, all-weather running track, a concession building, replacement of underdrain and irrigation systems, the construction of a synthetic multi-sports turf field. Other work included the enlargement and modernization of the auditorium and the gymnasium, swimming pool, locker rooms, nurses office, home economics, band, art, business labs, and choral rooms were all renovated to current standards, the boilers and solar panel systems were replaced, and the security and fire alarm systems were improved. The total value of the projects to date is $58,850,000.

BCA Architects & Engineers has been working with Mexico Academy & Central School District since 2012. The most recent project work included roof replacements, abatement, ADA compliance up-grades, mechanical & electrical improvements, historic front facade reconstruction, new toilet room facilities, old open classroom instruction areas converted to individual classrooms and corridors, elevator and heating systems redone, historic auditorium reconstruction, the completion of a new, state of the art stadium with synthetic turf, running track, bleachers, press box, and tennis courts were constructed, and improvements to parking and traffic circulation were completed. The project was phased over multiple seasons, and was completed on time and on budget. The total value of the projects to date is $44,200,000.

BCA Architects & Engineers has been working with General Brown Central School District since 1994. The most recent project work included District-Wide additions/reconstruction, gymnasium addition, district office reconstruction, artificial turf field installation, roof replacements, masonry rehabilitation, lighting replacement, security upgrades, and a Smart Schools Bond. The total value of the projects to date is $22,392,685.

BCA Architects & Engineers has been working with LaFargeville Central School District since 1992.The most recent project work included a new gymnasium, locker room addition, library renovations, conversion of a former gymnasium into an auditorium, a 7 classroom overbuild addition, existing classroom upgrades including floor and ceiling replacements, door and hardware replacements, life safety and fire alarm upgrades and restroom reconstruction. The project incorporated the use of advanced daylighting controls, photo-voltaic solar panels, a vegetated green roof, a 10kw wind turbine and dedicated green space and plantings for carbon off-setting. Additional parking and site access improvements were included to accommodate the new gymnasium. The total value of the projects to date is $29,530,000.

BCA Architects & Engineers and BCA Construction Managers have been working with Fonda-Fultonville Central School District since 2007. The most recent project work includes new roofing, turf field, upgrades to their auditorium, locker rooms, toilet facilities, and high school gymnasium with potential expansion and sound systems. Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical upgrades will include new hot water heater, interior drainage, air handling units, boiler replacements, new lighting, and overall upgrades to enhance energy management. The total value of the projects to date is $16,700,000.

CA Architects & Engineers has been working with Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District since 2016. The most recent project work included a new main exhibition stadium with synthetic turf, new track, new 600 seat bleachers and pressbox, new LED lighting, four new tennis courts, new exterior lift/elevator towers and paths have been created, reconstruction of their parking lots and sidewalks with new LED exterior lighting, complete renovation and redesign of their High School science labs, toilet room facilities, locker rooms, coaches’ offices, weight room, and a new fitness room to create another PE station. Other renovations to the High School include a redesign of the district administration area, additional auditorium lighting, and the creation of a new school store. The project also includes the construction of a concession building with public toilets at the main stadium and new storage facility, as well as other miscellaneous facilities improvements throughout the District. The total value of the projects to date is $23,400,000

BCA Architects & Engineers has worked with the Greater Amsterdam School District to develop a comprehensive project that would address their most pressing facilities needs across seven of the District’s buildings. We worked diligently with Amsterdam to promote and pass a $48.9m referendum in the winter of 2016. The project was designed to be multi-phased over several years to allow construction to continue with the least interruption to day to day operations. The project consists of significant work at each of the facilities with a focus on health & safety, athletic fields, energy efficiency & infrastructure. Scopes have included such items as heating systems and controls, electrical and security upgrades, plumbing improvements, athletic field upgrades, site and parking lot replacement, new LED lighting, etc. The list is extensive. A major component of the earlier phases includes the conversion of their open planned classrooms into traditional enclosed classrooms for security, acoustics and enhancement of learning. In doing so, BCA was able to secure an additional $5 million dollars in building aid for the District. We are currently designing phase 5; the first phases are now in construction and the work has been proceeding nicely. The District has been very pleased with BCA’s responsiveness to their issues, and we look forward to continued success in future phases of work.

BCA Architects & Engineers has worked with Oxford Academy Central School District for many years on multiple projects. A $10.8m, three phased project provided much needed improvements to their 1930’s era Middle School, as well as updates to their Primary School and High School. At the Middle School, new Art rooms were created, the cafeteria completed renovated to match the period of the building with a modern twist, the main office and toilet rooms were upgraded, and new technology was added. At the HS/Primary complex, the art and tech shop were modernized, a greenhouse was added, as well as new fields and a pressbox / concession building was constructed. Currently, the District is preparing to utilize their smart schools funding to update their wireless technology, and improve and harden security through entrance renovations as well as lockdown/lockout implementation with blue lights, and automated security information.