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School Construction Projects Set to Move

By HEATHER HADDON

Classes are now winding down, but renovation work will soon be ramping up now that billions of dollars in state funds have been allocated to city schools this year.

After a heated fight, state lawmakers agreed in April to fund half of the city’s $13.1 billion, 5-year capital plan. That funding will allow 21 stalled construction projects, along with dozens of new science labs, technology upgrades, infrastructure improvements and other renovations, to move forward.

Locally, construction on a new home for the Leadership Institute, a small high school founded by the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, will proceed. The 1-year-old school will eventually move from a temporary facility on Webster Avenue to the old Fordham Road Library building. It will house 300 classroom seats, and is slated to cost $21 million.

Several existing schools will receive major renovations and new facilities through the state funds this year (see chart). The work, totaling over $60 million, ranges from new science labs and security cameras to wireless internet and recreational equipment.

Yolanda Torres, principal of MS 399, welcomed the good news. “It’s unfortunate that it took so long, but we’re very enthusiastic about continuing to improve the school,” she said.

Torres is especially excited about funds to renovate an old pool in her East 184th Street building, which is the former home of the Bronx High School of Science. She is hoping to open up the facility to local residents of all ages. “There’s not much around here in terms of athletic activities,” Torres said.

The city Department of Education (DOE) could not provide details about the projects or a schedule of work. For example, a DOE spokesperson said that a proposed additional floor for MS 254 was “a real project” but wouldn’t further elaborate on it.

Students and staff from the Washington Avenue school are hoping for a fourth floor on their current building, which lacks an auditorium. “This is something we really need,” said Sonia Edmondson, a MS 254 administrator.

The capital plan lists an $825,000 allocation for MS 254 next year. It does not specify what the funds would do.

While the state money is welcome, the process of getting the work done isn’t always as embraced. Don Bluestone, director of the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center, was told that work on MS 80’s roof and walls will begin this summer and continue next year after school. MS 80 won’t be able to house summer school this year, and the Center’s Beacon program will have to relocate to a different during the work.

Bluestone said he is considering permanently moving the Beacon from MS 80 because of the renovations. He was angered that the work was necessary at all, as MS 80 received a new roof 12 years ago.

“Why are they putting on a new roof again,” Bluestone asked. “Shouldn’t it last longer than 10 years? The kids on the fifth floor are getting rained on.”

Alicia Maxey, a DOE spokesperson, agreed that there had been problems with the roof. She said it required “emergency repairs” last year because of water seeping through the masonry.

“After a thorough inspection, it was found that a new roof, along with a new parapet wall, would be the best way to solve the current problem,” Maxey said.

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