Pre-K 491M in New York City

STV’s role in the fast-tracked construction of the Universal Pre-K 491M in New York City received an Honorable Mention in the construction value under $20 million category from the Construction Management Association of America’s (CMAA) New York/New Jersey chapter’s Project Achievement Awards. STV was contracted by the New York City School Construction Authority (NYCSCA) to perform a range of construction management services in support of the interior fit-out of the $7.6 million, 11,000 square-foot project, built within an Upper East Side city high-rise also undergoing construction.

The hallmarks of this project were its notable completion speed and well-maintained budget. When the NYCSCA took possession of the existing space, the client faced approximately six months to open the brand-new facility in time for the new school year. STV’s contract with the NYCSCA was part of an existing emergency response task order contract, and within two weeks, all contractors were selected, and construction began.

To meet the aggressive deadline, STV helped develop an efficient procurement and construction sequencing plan that included several unique ideas and allowed all trades to finish tasks with little idle time. For example, to accommodate the placement of the building’s HVAC system as it arrived toward the end of construction, the entire mechanical room was first erected without its front entrance to allow for system installation upon delivery and avoid any delays.

The construction team’s speed and efficiency were demonstrated when the school was substantially completed ahead of schedule, in under 150 days. All construction met the New York City Department of Buildings’ project close-out requirements ahead of the client signing off on the project’s punch sheets.

Vincent Zito, CCM, served as the project executive, and Peter O’Hanlon was the project manager.