Project of the Month: Plaza Construction completes four-story, 98,277 s/f ground-up K-8 school in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Just in time for the 2013-2014 academic year, Plaza Construction has opened PS 331K, a new 98,277 s/f, four-story K-8 school located in the Bay Ridge section. Selected by the School Construction Authority (SCA) to serve as general contractor in the ground-up construction, the new school is situated on the former site of the Bay Ridge Methodist Church. The school's façade, a brick masonry cavity wall with precast and metal panels, features a clock tower and also incorporates the original rosette multi-colored stained glass window that was a distinguishing design feature in the church. "Feedback from the community has been extraordinary, everyone is delighted with the new PS 331K, which welcomed more than 700 students when its doors opened right after Labor Day," said Richard Wood, president of Plaza, who added that the four-story building which is comprised of 26 classrooms, including a multi-purpose performance space, a gymnasium, a cafeteria and a beautifully designed library with a vaulted ceiling. The building consists of a structural steel frame supported on piles and spread footings. Heating and air conditioning is supplied from the rooftop via packaged high efficiency units, supplemented with a perimeter hydronic system. The electrical systems feature network and communications systems. Mount Vernon Group was the architect; Pennoni Engineering & Surveying of New York P.C. was the structural engineer; and Maitra Associates, P.C. served as the mechanical and electrical engineer. Plaza's project manager Jon Drumgool said, "The spectacular stained glass window which measures approximately 15-ft. in diameter gives the school a mark of distinction and although its installation was somewhat challenging, we were happy to be able to preserve and display this historical masterpiece."