Randall's Island Fire Training Center
Just prior to September 11, 2001, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) had embarked upon an ambitious $40 million construction and renovation project at the department's training academy on Randall's Island. In the devastating aftermath of 9/11, emergency preparedness became the ultimate priority for New York City. No one agency suffered a greater loss that day than New York's bravest, the FDNY, prompting the city to push for acceleration of the project.
As general contractor, M.A. Angeliades rose to the occasion. Not only did the company meet the expediency required after 9/11, they also adapted to last minute site changes when the city decided to stick with the present Randall's Island site rather than a previously recommended site in Bayside, Queens.
New York-based M.A. Angeliades oversaw the transformation of the facilities, which dated back to the 1970's. The original academy consisted of 10 buildings on the island, which had not been intended for use with live flames. After more than three decades of wear and tear, the buildings had incurred irreparable damage. M.A. Angeliades was responsible for construction of three entirely new buildings and renovation of one existing building.
The end result, completed in March 2004, includes a 35,000-square-foot learning building that consists of six state-of-the-art classrooms, a gym, locker rooms, cafeteria and storage. The newly constructed "burn" building is a 6,000-square-foot facility where computer-controlled fires are generated to allow for maximum training exposure. The third new building, also measuring 35,000 square feet, and perhaps the most unique, allows the department to simulate a number of search and rescue scenarios. The building reproduces emergency conditions on a full-size, simulated New York City "street," complete with fire hydrants, manholes, street lights, parking meters and mailboxes.
The finished product is undoubtedly one of the most unique fire training facilities in the nation and will allow New York City to produce some of the best-trained firefighters in the world. Given its first-rate design and timely completion, the project was recognized by Buildings magazine as the Specialty Spaces Winner in their 2004 New Construction Awards.
view article »
161 Street/Yankee Stadium
Surrounding Yankee Stadium in the Bronx is a hub of activity that is distinctly and undeniably New York. The major ingress and egress to this historical destination is the 161st Street Subway Station. On any given weekday, approximately 25,000 people access this station. When the Yankees have a home game, that number typically triples with people flocking to the House that Ruth Built.
With this in mind, the NYC Transit Authority commissioned a $45 million renovation project to improve access to the station and create a more pedestrian-friendly environment. M.A. Angeliades Inc., with their knowledge and feel for the City of New York, were selected as co-general contractors for this ambitious undertaking.
As is the key with any New York City project, one of the major goals was to complete this three-phase renovation without disrupting train service. M.A. Angeliades, working with the NYC Transit Authority, the architectural and design firm of di Domenico + Partners and co-contractor L.A. Wenger, Inc., accomplished just that, while still accommodating the baseball season influx.
The end result, completed in 2001, is improved pedestrian circulation between the stations three levels - the underground, elevated and street levels - as well as to the stadium. As any New York City subway commuter knows, ventilation is a precious commodity. The new design of the station has incorporated a skylight and vent structure that now allows for both light and air to pass through the underground mezzanine.
With the Yankees' recent decision to remain in the Bronx and build a new stadium across the street from the current stadium, the 161 Street Subway Station renovation could not have been completed at a better time.
view article »