Despite 'bumps,' renovations at Little Falls schools on track

Jul. 17--While the Little Falls City School District's capital project continues to progress, one school official says the endeavor has felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Things have been moving along with some bumps due to the impact of the pandemic on supply lines and the labor market," said Ashraf Allam, district director of business and operations, in an email Thursday.

Construction started on the $29.9 million project in mid-March around the time the COVID-19 outbreak hit New York. The project calls for new additions at the middle/high school building and Benton Hall Academy.

Though the project was deemed essential by the state, with Allam reporting crews were ahead of schedule in May, Allam said the project has been slowed at times by delivery delays with required materials or a lower number of workers on the job than expected.

Despite these "bumps," Allam said things should be ready in the fall -- should schools reopen.

The project at the middle/high school building includes an addition that will allow for a STEAM Education shop, art labs, digital art and pottery studios and a business area. Meanwhile, work at Benton Hall includes the construction of a two-story addition in the courtyard as well as window replacements, a renovated main office and cafeteria improvements.

"Overall, we're lucky that the project was deemed essential and was allowed to continue uninterrupted," Allam said. "If we had to stop work for three months, we would be in much worse shape."

___

(c)2020 The Times Telegram, Herkimer, N.Y.

Visit The Times Telegram, Herkimer, N.Y. at www.herkimertelegram.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.