Capital budget snapshot: new york city school construction authority

The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) will continue to make substantial infrastructure investments over the next four years, according to its recently amended 2015-2019 Capital Plan.  The Amended Plan calls for $13.5 billion in new commitments and is approximately $2 billion larger than the 2010-2014 plan.

The Amended Plan is broken down into three broad categories: Capacity Expansion, Capital Investment, and Mandated Programs.

• Capacity Expansion, $4.8 billion
  The SCA will spend approximately $3.45 billion to create 32,600 new seats during the plan period.  The funding will be used to design and construct 37 smaller primary schools, 21 larger buildings that can accommodate various grades between primary and middle school, and 5 middle/high school buildings.  Brooklyn and Queens will be the largest recipients of new seats, receiving approximately 9,700 and 13,150 seats, respectively.  Fully 22%, or 7,200, of these are seats that were funded in the prior capital plan but were not completed.

  Capacity Expansion also includes $350 million for relocation of approximately 3,500 seats in schools that will have to vacate their currently leased sites. The Amended Plan sets aside $490 million to further reduce class sizes, although how these funds will be distributed and used is still being reviewed by the Department of Education and the SCA.

  The Mayor’s signature Universal Pre-K initiative will receive $520 million to build or lease space to house an additional 6,800 pre-K seats, which begins to address the new population created by this program.

• Capital Investment, $4.9 billion
  The SCA will commit nearly $5 billion for enhancements and improvements to existing facilities.  This includes more than $1 billion to rehabilitate exterior components like masonry and building parapets, and additional funding for roofs ($286 million) and windows ($223 million).  Another $686 million is included to make important improvements to cafeterias, labs, lunchrooms, libraries, and bathrooms.

  The City also plans to commit $650 to upgrade high-speed networks and other computer technology. 

• Mandated Programs, $3.7 billion
  The Department of Education has set aside nearly $4 billion to address mandates, insurance, and other administrative obligations.  Included in this figure are $1.7 billion for legally required projects like replacement of PCB-containing light fixtures, at $480 million; $750 million for conversion of Number 4 oil-burning boilers in 125 buildings (of 380 remaining oil-burning boilers); $190 million for lead and asbestos removal and abatement; and $201.2 million to bring school buildings into compliance with the City’s Building Code. 

  The City insures all of its construction projects and has set aside $830 million over five years for its owner-controlled insurance program. 

  Finally, there is an additional $663 in new money to pay for unfunded costs from the prior five year plan, including added change orders, new furniture, and other equipment required to close out outstanding projects.

“The School Construction Authority has produced a straightforward, common sense budget for the City’s massive school system,” said Building Congress President Richard T. Anderson.  “The de Blasio Administration has given the SCA the resources it needs to ensure existing buildings continue to serve school children well, while also making real progress toward reducing the shortage of school seats driven by the City’s continuing population growth.”