LEED-Certified Facility to be Located at Robert Moses State Park in Massena
WHITE PLAINS – June 1, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The New York Power Authority (NYPA) trustees have approved a $7.6 million contract to build a new nature center at Robert Moses State Park in Massena to replace a building that had been destroyed by fire five years ago.
NYPA has been working with Friends of Robert Moses State Park Nature Center, state agencies and other local stakeholders to rebuild the facility. It falls under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Recreation Plan for NYPA’s St. Lawrence-FDR Power Project in Massena.
NYPA awarded the construction contract to Bette & Cring, LLC of Watertown.
“We are happy to be taking this critical step toward restoring this great community facility to the North Country and to have a Northern New York firm build this state-of-the-art complex,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “This is another demonstration of NYPA’s continuing support for the recreation and educational facilities around our projects.”
“Nature centers across state parks offer unique educational and environmental experiences and we are thrilled that schools, youth organizations, and all visitors will soon have a brand-new facility that will enhance that wonderful adventure even more,” said State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey. “We thank the New York Power Authority and Friends of Robert Moses State Park Nature Center for their terrific partnership in helping bring more opportunity to our patrons that will allow them to immerse themselves deeper in this wonderful resource.”
The Nature Center, which is owned by NYPA, was destroyed by an accidental fire in March 2010. NYPA has continued to fund the center in temporary locations since then. The new center will continue its mission to provide science education in indoor and outdoor settings for the public, schools and community groups, but in a larger, more modern facility.
“I’m very happy to welcome this great new facility to our community,” said Judge Eugene L. Nicandri, a NYPA trustee and Massena resident. “The story of this building rising from the ashes is a testament to how important this facility is to our community and to the dedication of a committed group of citizens who worked with the Power Authority to make this project happen.”.
The 9,400-square-foot, single-story building will include exhibit space, reflecting the four major habitats found within the park—wetland/marsh, river, woodlands and meadows as well as classrooms. It will also include office space for the Friends of Robert Moses State Park Nature Center, which will run the center, and serve as a trail send-out station and equipment rental depot.
The facility will be constructed with green-building design features to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. They include geothermal heat pumps for cooling and heating, outside air intake and heat recovery, a rainwater reclamation system, outside rain gardens, efficiency lighting systems and sustainable material selection to enhance indoor environmental quality. Construction is set to begin this summer and is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.
About NYPA:
NYPA is the nation’s largest state public power organization, through the operation of its 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. NYPA uses no tax money or state credit. It finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. More than 70 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. For more information visitwww.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter @NYPAenergy, Facebook, Instagram, WordPress, and LinkedIn.
Contact:
Maura Balaban | Maura.Balaban (at) nypa (dot) gov | (914) 390-8171
