BBS Architects, Landscape Architects & Engineers continues to adapt to the new reality caused by the COVID pandemic and continues to effectively progress as a leader in New York State’s and the Northeast Region’s K-12, Public Library, and Municipal Design Industry.
We have just completed a very busy and successful summer construction season despite the wrenches thrown by COVID. For the most part, contractors and tradespersons adapted along with us in following COVID-related regulations to create jobsite conditions that were as safe as possible. Our Construction Administrators were outfitted with appropriate PPE for necessary jobsite observations, while jobsite meetings were held via virtual meeting platforms as much as practical. Now we are in the punch list phase on most of our 2020 short-duration, single-summer projects. We thank all our clients, contractors and professional staff for their extraordinary efforts during this most difficult construction season.
Starting in August and progressing until the present, we have performed countless reviews of plastics for our NYS K-12 clients in accordance with the SED’s ‘moving-target’ requirements for interior transparent barriers. Sensing SED’s seemingly unrealistic expectations early on in their memos back in July, we lobbied for clearer guidance and relaxations of the requirements and expectations. By late August, once SED released final guidance on what code requirements must be followed, the door was opened for less expensive and more readily available PETG products that were the key to success for many clients in their return plans. Simultaneously, we assisted K-12 and Public Library clients on Long Island and in Westchester with social distancing planning of existing facilities. We also helped a small, single-room public school bombarded with new year-long residents from New York City in obtaining approval from SED for the use of educational space in a nearby parochial school. No matter their situation, size, or budget, we dedicated our efforts to assist all clients with their return plans when called upon.
Thank you for your continued trust in us. We remain vigilantly aware of our rapidly changing industry, and we pledge to continue our stewardship of your capital projects and long-term planning efforts through this difficult time and into the more hopeful and promising times ahead.
Sincerely,
Joseph Rettig, AIA, LEED AP
Partner
(631) 404-6938