Two School Construction Projects Completed in New York City

PS 338 Brooklyn NYEW Howell Construction Group, one of the region’s leading education, retail, cultural, government and healthcare builders, has completed two school construction projects for the School Construction Authority—P.S. 338, a new primary/intermediate school on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn, N.Y. as well as the expansion and renovation of P.S. 49 in Middle Village, Queens. Both projects were finished in time to accommodate students for the 2017-2018 school year.

Designed by Purcell Architects, P.S. 338 was built from the ground up to accommodate 742 students ranging from Pre-K to eighth grade. The 106,000-square-foot, $68.5-million project features five floors with a partial cellar. The construction comprised two major blocks; a five-story structure with the primary grades on the lower floors and the intermediate classes above. A separate five-story building will include, lower level cafeteria and gymnasium. The building is set back from Coney Island Avenue to provide a buffer from the sidewalk and street. The side streets allow for a drop off area for school buses and a wider sidewalk to ease congestion.  

EW Howell Construction Group was also awarded a contract to construct a 107,000-square-foot addition and renovation, for P.S. 49, a staple of the Middle Village, Queens community for generations. The $31.5-million project was designed by Ciardullo Architects, which kept the building’s original historic 1920s façade detail. The school is a designated site by the NYS Historic Preservation Office for its beautiful brick work and limestone facades. EW Howell added an ‘L’ shaped building to the outdoor area, which allows extra space for outdoor playgrounds and beautiful landscaped views of the Juniper Valley Park, and completed the interior renovation and exterior restoration.

In addition to P.S. 338 in Brooklyn and P.S. 49 in Queens, EW Howell’s Education Division, led by Vice President John K. Hagen, P.E., has completed several more projects for the School Construction Authority, whose mission is to design and construct safe, cost-effective and environmentally sound schools for communities in New York City. EW Howell has also worked on in Manhattan. EW Howell has also been awarded an addition and renovation project for P.S. 303in Forest Hills, expected to be complete in January 2021.

Founded in 1891, EW Howell Construction Group is a leading New York-based General Construction and Construction Management firm with offices in Manhattan and on Long Island.

Featured

  • Nashville Elementary School Receives LEED Gold Certification

    Goodlettsville Elementary School, part of Metro Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tenn., recently achieved LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a news release. The 81,750-square-foot school opened in 2023 and was designed by Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

  • Year-Round Schools Require Year-Round Indoor Air Quality Planning

    While many schools are out for the summer, year-round schools follow a more “balanced” schedule with shorter, more frequent breaks spaced throughout the school year. Even though this offers educational benefits, these facilities have less downtime for building maintenance. This can become an issue when facilities managers overlook the importance of routine HVAC maintenance and air duct cleaning services.

  • UT-San Antonio Begins Residence Hall Renovations

    The University of Texas at San Antonio recently began a $6-million renovation project to one of its residence halls, according to a news release. Originally completed in 1986, Chisolm Hall measures in at 120,860 square feet and is the oldest and largest residence hall on campus.

  • Back-to-School Playground Safety: 7 Common Hazards to Look for After Summer Break

    As summer break comes to an end, school administrators have plenty to prepare before students return. While classrooms, hallways and common areas often receive attention during all the back-to-school preparations, the playground should not be overlooked. Months of weather exposure, storms, and regular wear can leave behind hazards that may not be immediately noticeable.