KSQ presents $22.5M phase 2 plans, timelines for Hendrick Hudson bond projects; several items go to state review

Architects and construction managers gave the Hendrick Hudson Central School District Board of Education an update on capital projects tied to the district’s 2024 bond, describing immediate summer work under phase 1 and a larger, curriculum-driven phase 2 package estimated at roughly $22.5 million.

KSQ design representatives said two contracts for general construction and site work were awarded in March for phase 1 across all five schools. Contractors are expected to mobilize in June with completion targeted before the start of the 2024–25 school year.

Phase 2, the presentation said, is focused on curriculum- and program-driven renovations. KSQ described a package that includes basement music-studio rehabilitation at the high school, conversion of the high-school library into a modern learning commons, mezzanine and breakout-space upgrades, acoustical and audiovisual improvements to the athletic dome, and a redesigned orchestra and ensemble support space. At Blue Mountain Middle School the scope would include new visual-arts and media suites, gym renovation with motorized bleachers, a new STEAM learning commons and a reworked servery/kitchen configuration.

Elementary-school work would convert older library footprints into STEM learning commons, replace original restroom facilities with modern, maintainable fixtures and partitions, and create common toilet-room clusters where none exist now. The presentation also noted plans for furniture layouts, built-in seating and improved daylighting in libraries and commons areas.

KSQ said it submitted design-development documents for budget purposes and that phase 2 estimates were approximately 7.5% over the project budget at that design stage; the team described ongoing value-engineering work and the use of alternates to bring the package into budget tolerance before state review. The architects said they expect to complete construction documents over the summer, submit to the State Education Department for approval (a multi-month review), bid the package later in 2024 or early 2025 and begin construction in spring/summer 2025, with major closeout by summer 2027.

Board members asked about contingency plans if estimates exceed the current 7.5% variance. KSQ and the district’s construction manager said they would reduce scope on identified alternates and refine materials and systems. KSQ also described acoustical treatments, mechanical quieting measures and an AV/audio line-item in the dome budget as potential alternates.

The presentation included examples of interior treatment concepts—flexible breakout rooms, step seating in the learning commons, acoustic paneling, updated finishes and new furniture—and a commitment to a districtwide material palette (blues, whites, grays, light woods) to create consistency across campuses. The architects said the color/finish palette is not final and they plan a follow-up workshop for materials and interior choices after state submission.

District staff and the architect team also reported on phase 1 activity that has begun: contractor coordination meetings, addressing immediate water and acoustic issues in the high-school music studios, and planned summer work across buildings to position the district for the next school year.

Board members asked about maintaining safe separation between construction zones and occupied school spaces during the work and were told contractors will provide temporary partitions, separate egress and scheduling to limit daytime noise, with noise limits governed by State Education Department approvals.

KSQ said it will provide revised cost estimates after submitting to the State Education Department and while value-engineering is underway; the board asked for a future follow-up presentation on remaining open alternates and the finalized furniture/finish palette.