January Project Spotlight

Over the course of the last decade, Arcadia Electrical has gained extensive experience building schools and educational institutions throughout New York City. Projects involving these types of structures can vary dramatically and can include anything from building an entirely new structure to full electrical work to converting an existing building to green energy and LED lighting and everything in between.  Here is a look into three very different recent projects involving educational structures.

PS 335Q
Arcadia Electrical was contracted to help with the construction of PS 335, a new public school being built from the ground up in the Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens. The 70,000-square foot building will accommodate just over 500 students between kindergarten and 5th grade.

The project broke ground on January 20, 2016. Arcadia Electrical handled all of the electrical work within the school which included electrical distribution for the PA system, a bell system, fire alarms, theatrical lighting in the auditorium and LED lights throughout the building. Additionally, Arcadia Electrical installed safety and security features like card reader access, panic bars that will sound an alarm if a door that shouldn’t be opened is breached, a closed-circuit television security system and a rescue room, in a room closest to the street that will enable firefighters and rescue workers easy access to the school should the need arise. Arcadia Electrical also brought in whiteboards for each classroom to make sure the school is outfitted with the best of today’s technology to ensure that PS 335Q’s students have the best possible learning tools.  

The project was completed in September of 2017 which enabled the school to open on schedule that same month. Because Arcadia completed this project on time, no extra man power or continued presence was required to complete this job.

PS/IS 49Q
PS/IS 49Q, a public elementary and middle school in Middle Village, Queens, added a 26,000-square
foot addition to their existing building to serve an influx of new students. The project added 15 classrooms (two of which will be for special education), three resource rooms, a medical suite, an exercise room and an expansion of the present cafeteria. Arcadia Electrical was involved with the extension building process to ensure that all electrical work was installed safely and correctly. The project included electrical distribution throughout the building (including the construction of an electrical service room), as well as the installation of energy-efficient lighting and the completion of low voltage work such as the public address system, clock system, bell system, fire alarms and intrusion work, which insures that access to restricted areas of the building are tracked and maintained.

The project broke ground on August 2, 2016. Throughout the entirety of construction of the school extension, classes were taking place in the existing school structure. This required logistical challenges that included mandatory quiet days for student testing. In spite of this, the job was completed on time for the school to open with its new extension fully operable in September of 2017

New York State Court Officer Academy

When the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York transformed the former St. Teresa’s School complex in Crown Heights, Brooklyn into a Court Officer’s Training Academy on March 6, 2015, Arcadia Electrical was contracted for the electrical work. The 53,000 square foot complex’s three external buildings were kept intact, while the insides required a complete renovation that included building classrooms, a multi-purpose and general assembly area, exercise/training spaces, locker rooms, shower facilities, offices, administrative office spaces, and lodging and dining accommodations for trainees.  Arcadia Electrical handled the power distribution work, power lighting and fire alarm installation throughout both of the buildings that make up the facility.  Arcadia still has a small presence onsite, though this project is projected to be completed in early February of 2018.