B.R. Fries renovates 800 s/f P.S. 155 William Paca School library

Students, families and staff from P.S. 155 William Paca School on East 117th St. in Manhattan, along with The Heart of America Foundation and Target Volunteers, recently celebrated the unveiling of their newly-renovated library with refreshments, reading circles, games and arts and crafts. As part of the Target Volunteers school library makeovers, P.S. 155 received a complete transformation, including thousands of new books, technology, paint, lighting, customized wall art mural and reading corners. NYC-based B.R. Fries & Associates, a leading regional contracting firm, teamed with Target and The Heart of America Foundation, donating construction and project management services that included a build-out of the space, obtaining free materials, installing lighting, fixtures and flooring and painting. Twenty-three schools across the country, including P.S. 155, were awarded a library makeover. The school selection was based on percentage of low-income children and overall need for library improvement. Every student who attended the grand opening celebration walked away with five new books to add to their own at-home reading collection. "We're honored to have been chosen for this project and know our students are truly looking forward to utilizing the new technology and books in this beautiful space," said Lillian Ortiz, principal, P.S. 155. "Through our partnership with Target, we're helping bring the gift of books to schools across the country," said Angie Halamandaris, president, The Heart of America Foundation. Steve Scofield, director of operations, and Ken Kida, superintendent, of B.R. Fries oversaw the P.S. 155 library renovation. "It was an honor to attend the opening event and see children be given the gift of a comfortable and inviting facility in which to enjoy the wonders of reading," said Barry Fries. In addition to B.R. Fries, other companies who donated or discounted products and services to make the project possible included Falcon Electrical Co., P.R. Painting, Legacy Flooring, Titan Contracting, NY Light Source, Fatboy, Grafix Shoppe, Smith Systems, IdeaPaint, TK-Products, Greenstar, Tandus, InterfaceFlor Commercial, Mannington, Design Within Reach Minneapolis Studio, Kidscarpet.com and Maharam.