VC gives capital project update

By Kerry Butrick Dowling
Posted 10/18/22

Valley Central School District officials announced that upcoming site work will begin within the next three weeks at the Valley Central Middle and High School complex. William Devine of The Palumbo …

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VC gives capital project update

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Valley Central School District officials announced that upcoming site work will begin within the next three weeks at the Valley Central Middle and High School complex. William Devine of The Palumbo Group spoke about the phases of the projects and the work that has been completed so far, including removal of trees and replacing new sidewalks in certain areas along the perimeter of the school.

“There’s a tremendous amount of work that needs to be done in this area. We sat down with contractors, principals and the staff here and we decided the best way to attack this,” Devine shared. The work will be done while school is in session instead of waiting for the summer to ensure it’s completed in time for school. There will be no additional costs to the school district for the project starting early.

“We put together a plan here to develop it so that we can work safely, quietly and intelligently with students and staff inside the building,” he explained.

Devine said the site work will begin in front of the middle school and fencing will be erected with concrete safety barriers. The technology used will be low key with the sound produced from the machinery being low volume. Fumes were also taken into consideration for the work given the proximity to the school building. The largest part of the project will be a 20,000-gallon tank placed in the ground. Temporarily, a roadway will be created with a drop off lane for arrival and dismissal during the school day. Additional other temporary roads will be created as needed throughout the area along with temporary sidewalks and walkways for safe access to the building from the parking lot along with signage.
Board of Education President Joseph Bond asked what working hours would be for the project and Devine acknowledged that workers and contractors would get there before school starts and leave about 3:30 p.m. Devine explained that while the new parking lot was being completed school was in session at that time and all parties worked well together. Blackout dates will happen for construction including days of a state testing and any loud equipment will be used after hours.

The temporary drop-off lane will go through the memorial that is currently on site at the school and therefore it will be temporarily relocated until it is reconstructed. “We understand that this has significant meaning to many people and we will have to put a road through there however when the finished product come together this will be the proposed design of that area and it will be called Veterans Memorial Plaza. The concept calls for benches around the memorial, two flags and trees,” shared Devine.

Over near the field, the restroom building is coming up out of the ground, footings have been placed and walls will be happening soon Devine reported. In addition, the projects are under budget by close to three million dollars which gives the Valley Central School District the opportunity to consider alternate projects that were bid but not awarded. Additional possible uses within the scope include an additional visitor parking lot, gated entry into the athletic fields, gym lobby entrance parking lot, and lighting for safety.