Facilities Plan:
Status Report

As of January 2009
The City School District of Albany is nearing the completion of the comprehensive facilities plan that was originally approved by Albany voters in December 2001.

Information about school facilities projects is broken into four phases:

• Projects that are complete

• Projects under construction

• Projects ready to be bid or in the design phase

• Projects proposed

Completed Projects

New Scotland Elementary (formerly PS 19):
New Scotland Elementary was renovated as a three-deep school. It was expanded to include the addition of a kitchen and gym. The previous gym was renovated and is now a cafeteria and auditorium, or "cafetorium." In addition, new mechanical, electrical, lighting, public address, computer technology and security systems were added. New Scotland Elementary students and staff moved out of the building after the 2006-07 school year and construction began in the summer of 2007. Students and faculty returned to the building in January 2009. You can view project highlights in the New Scotland Photo Gallery

Hackett Middle School

William S. Hackett Middle School reopened for classes in September 2008 at its previous location at 45 Delaware Ave. You can view project highlights in the Hackett Photo Gallery.

The extensive renovation of Hackett Middle School was broken into two phases. Phase I construction began in May 2005 and included the replacement and restoration of the school's roof, as well as repair and cleaning of the exterior facade and masonry. New electrical service also was included at the school.

Following the relocation of Hackett's school community to swing space at the former Schuyler Elementary School at 141 Western Ave. in January 2006, Phase II work began in June 2006 and included major renovations and improvements.

Phase II included renovations to all five floors to accommodate up to 650 students in grades 6-8 and divide those students into teams of 100-115 students each. Academic wings have been organized around core classes such as English, social studies, science and math. Classrooms for technology, art and music will be shared among teams.

Delaware Community School (formerly School 18)
In January 2007, Delaware Community School (formerly School 18) moved into a brand new building on its original site in its original neighborhood. Unlike School 18, the new Delaware Community School has sufficient restrooms, handicap accessibility, a fully modern electrical system, spacious classrooms and gym space. he new, three-story, 55,000-square-foot school is handicapped accessible, energy-efficient, and technologically advanced. It serves up to 450 students in grades K-5. You can view project highlights in the Delaware Photo Gallery.

Pine Hills Elementary School (formerly School 16)
In January 2007, the former School 16 -- now known as Pine Hills Elementary School -- opened the doors to a new, three-story, 55,000-square-foot building that was constructed on its original property. The building is designed to fit with the existing neighborhood, and will serve 450 students. It has larger classrooms, handicapped accessibility, computers in every room, and a new library/media center and gymnasium. You can view project highlights in the Pine Hills Photo Gallery.

Eagle Point Elementary (formerly PS 27)
An enlarged and renovated Eagle Point Elementary opened in December 2005. The school, at 1044 Western Ave., currently serves up to 300 students in Grades PreK-5. The building is home to new classrooms, a new gymnasium and a library/media center. You can view project highlights in the Eagle Point Photo Gallery.

Newly renovated and expanded North Albany Academy, formerly PS 20, opened in September 2005. The building was renovated, and a new library/media center added. The adjoining YMCA, which is independent from the district's facilities project, will provide gym space for the school. You can view project highlights in the North Albany Photo Gallery.

Stephen & Harriet Myers Middle School, 100 Elbel Court, opened to the public in August 2005. The school has a phased opening, meaning the academic wing, the main office suite, the cafeteria, and the media center/library were ready for students, staff, and parents at the beginning of the school year. The gymnasium, auditorium and the pool area were ready for occupancy during winter 2005. You can view project highlights in the Myers Photo Gallery.

The new Montessori Magnet School, 65 Tremont Street, opened in August 2005. School 26 was torn down to make room for the brand new Montessori School. The school is home to 300 students in grades K-5. You can view project highlights in the Montessori Photo Gallery. 

The newly constructed K-5 Sheridan Preparatory Academy, 400 Sheridan Avenue opened in September 2004. The new school was constructed on the site of the former Our Lady of Angels parochial school. You can view project highlights in the Sheridan Photo Gallery. 

In September 2004,  the renovated K-5 Philip J. Schuyler Achievement Academy, 676 Clinton Avenue, opened. The renovated building (formerly Public School 21, built in 1875) has a 40,000-square-foot addition. You can view project highlights in the Schuyler Photo Gallery.   

In September 2003, the new roof and skylights were completed at Arbor Hill Elementary School.

A new eight-lane running track with an all-weather synthetic surface was installed at Albany High School in 2003.  

In September 2002, Harriet Gibbons Alternative High School relocated to 75 Watervliet Avenue, a renovated building that provides students with spacious classrooms and modern science labs, library/media center, art room, and fitness center. You can view project highlights in the Harriet Gibbons Photo Gallery.

Projects under construction

Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science & Technology (TOAST):

Originally built in 1955, the 68,081 square foot building went through a complete roof replacement in the summer of 2005. In the summer of 2007, the exterior drainage system will be replaced and updated. With a new facilities referendum passed in February 2007, TOAST will undergo a renovation that will include accessibility, new rest rooms, mechanical replacements including adding air-conditioning, new windows and doors, energy upgrades, and various floor and painting renovations. Work begins in the summer of 2008, and will be completed in September 2009. At the completion of construction the building will be a school for Pre-K through 5th grade.

Giffen Memorial Elementary School: 

Originally built in 1960, the building had a complete roof replacement in the summer of 2006. A facilities referendum passed in February 2007 funded the renovation of the building, with the heating system replaced and air conditioning added, along with accessibility, painting, window and door replacements, bathroom upgrades and some floor replacement. Work began in the summer of 2008 and will be completed by September 2009. The school will then contain grades Pre-K through 5th grade.

Projects Ready to Bid or In Design Phase

Arbor Hill Elementary School:

The building was built in 1973 and was designed with an open floor plan. Each level can be accessed by a ramp. The building is air conditioned with an updated chiller and cooling tower. In February of 2007, the voters approved a referendum to renovate the school, which will start in January 2009 and will be completed in August 2010, at which time Arbor Hill Elementary will contain grades Pre-K through 5th grade.