Day care center architects given Contractor of Year Award

Flynn Battaglia Architects, PC, of Buffalo was honored as the 2010 Contractor of the Year at SUNY Fredonia for its design work on the newly-completed Campus and Community Children’s Center.

The annual luncheon on Nov. 23 also recognized companies who worked on campus projects during the past year. Representatives of over 50 companies were welcomed by President Dennis L. Hefner and acknowledged during the event held in the Cranston Marché by Vice President for Administration Tracy Bennett and Associate Vice President Karen Porpiglia.

Vice President Bennett was joined by Director of Facilities Planning Markus Kessler and Campus and Community Children’s Center Executive Director Judy Metzger in presenting the Contractor of the Year plaque to architect Ronald Battaglia, FAIA. The $4.6 million children’s center located on the western edge of the campus was dedicated in August.

Criteria for the Contractor of the Year award include exhibiting the highest degree of professionalism; outstanding performance in meeting deadlines and suggesting alternatives; contributing to the quality of life and outstanding appearance of the campus; and working closely and creatively with the Facilities Planning office. Vice President Bennett noted that Flynn Battaglia “has continually demonstrated its ability to creatively address all the issues presented by the university during a major construction project.” He also praised the firm’s commitment to quality and its ability to build outstanding working relationships with campus personnel.

During what was described by Vice President Bennett as “another outstanding year for capital construction on the SUNY Fredonia campus,” he recognized the companies represented for completing a number of projects on time with minimal disruption to the campus which “reflects the skill and professionalism that you bring to the job.” Among the larger projects completed during the past year in addition to the children’s center were a $5.7 million Phase 1 renovation to Maytum Hall, a $5.2 million Technology Incubator in Dunkirk, a $3.2 rehearsal hall addition to Mason Hall, a million dollar window replacement in Grissom Hall, upgrades to other residence halls; and sidewalk, roadway and parking lot improvements. Ongoing projects include work on a $60 million Science Center, $15 million renovation of the Williams Center, Phase 2 of the Maytum Hall renovation, and window replacement in Disney Hall.

During the past year, the campus worked with over 124 different companies — 108 from New York State and 36 from Chautauqua County. Twenty-four of the firms worked on campus for the first time during 2010.

Past recipients of the Contractor of the Year award were also recognized during the event.