Turner Construction begins $83 million New Settlement project with URS Corp. as construction manager; project designed by Dattner Architects and Edelman Sultan Knox Wood

Celebrating the culmination of two decades of unstinting commitment to the rehabilitation of the Mt. Eden neighborhood of the borough, the Settlement Housing Fund and New Settlement Apartments, joined with the New York City School Construction Authority, the Department of Education and New York lt. governor Richard Ravitch to begin construction of the New Settlement Community Campus, a new pre-k thru 12th grade public school with a community center, complete with an indoor swimming facility. The project was designed by Dattner Architects and Edelman Sultan Knox Wood. Turner Construction Co. is building the project. URS Corp. is the construction manager. Davis Polk provides pro bono legal assistance to Settlement Housing Fund. To be completed in 2012, the four-story, 172,000 s/f school and center, located at 1501 Jerome Ave. between West 172nd St. and Goble Place, represents new construction on a street dominated by auto body shops and used car lots. It is expected to be hailed as an architectural icon in a section of the city that was devastated by property abandonment and arson in the late 1970s. The project was co-developed by Settlement Housing Fund and the New York City School Construction Authority. Total development cost for the school, pool and center is approximately $83 million. New Settlement Apartments will operate the community center, its swimming pool, and its array of family and youth programs. The Department of Education will own the school, which will offers pre-K through high school grades at a single location. New Settlement Apartments will provide facilities management for both the school and the community center. The public school is funded by the New York City School Construction Authority. The Community Center with pool is funded by Settlement Housing Fund Board of Directors, Federal, New York City and State governments, LISC/NEF, and philanthropic contributions. A loan from FJC, a foundation of philanthropic funds, allows construction to take place while Settlement Housing Fund seeks other philanthropic support. Carol Lamberg, CEO of the Settlement Housing Fund, said, "Overarching its significant value as a new school, swimming facility and community center in an under-served neighborhood, the New Settlement Community Campus symbolizes the unified hard work of neighborhood residents and their determination to improve Mt. Eden." "We've been delighted to work with the Settlement Housing Fund to help bring a new school campus to Mt. Eden," schools chancellor Joel Klein said. "The new facility will serve more than a thousand students from pre-K all the way through high school, and will represent a valuable and beautiful addition to District 9." The goal of rebuilding this community emanated from former Mayor Ed Koch's ten year housing plan, created in 1987. Ms. Lamberg and the Settlement Housing Fund staff "won" a competitive process to own 14 of the buildings. Two buildings were added, bringing the total number of apartments to 995, housing 3,400 people whose incomes range from very low to middle income levels. Thirty percent of the families who live at New Settlement Apartments are formerly homeless. Today, New Settlement Apartments is a meticulously maintained residential community. In addition, high quality community programs like the College Access Center, Multicultural After School Program, Bronx Helpers and Parent Action Committee are open to all community residents and offer extraordinary opportunities for youth development, access to higher education and opportunities for increased civic engagement. Doyle said, "From the devastation that once characterized this neighborhood, there has emerged a vibrant community that gives testimony to the power of the combined persistent efforts of a not-for profit organization, neighborhood residents and a multiplicity of dedicated partners. Now, 19 years later, we are building an educational and recreational facility that will flourish. The new campus will be Mt. Eden's centerpiece, and a model center of education, sports, social services and community activity." The project's key architectural element is the interplay between massing and expression of two wings set at a roughly 90 degree angle. Although the predominant material is brick, other materials such as zinc panels and window wall are used to express special functions and provide visual interest and scale. Specifically, the campus will comprise two schools, a primary school with a capacity of 423 students, and intermediate/high school with a capacity of 568 students, and 96 students participating in a Citywide Special Education District 75. The campus' library, auditorium and gymnasium will serve the entire school population and many others in the community. The gymnasium and other school facilities will be available for off-hour use by the local community by arrangement through the New Settlement managed Community Center. The play yards will also be shared-use facilities available to the school and for off-hour use by the community. "Dynamic architectural elements of the project include the dramatic cantilevered entry and the library above, anchoring the corner and announcing the school to the community," said Jeff Dugan of Dattner Architects and Andrew Knox of Edelman Sultan Knox Wood Architects, co-principal architects. Settlement Housing Fund is a nonprofit developer of affordable housing and neighborhood amenities working to revitalize and strengthen communities throughout New York City. Since 1969, Settlement Housing Fund has developed 55 projects with over 8,700 apartments -- rentals, cooperatives, and two-family houses -- that are home to more than 25,000 low and middle income residents, including formerly homeless people.