Urbitran Wins Metro-North Contract

The Urbitran Group has been awarded a $2.7 million, two-year contract to provide consulting services for parking expansion, development, station access studies, new stations, facilities and long-term development for MTA Metro-North Railroad. With an optional renewal, the contract's total value is $5 million. The work involves system-wide site assessment, parking improvement design, strategic facility development and the creation of design/build documents. The project team will be led Larry Rosenbloom, senior vice president at Urbitran.

Heritage Health & Housing Receives AIA 2003 Honor Award

Heritage Health & Housing has won the 2003 Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects. Caples Jefferson Architects, NYC, designed the agency's headquarters at 416 W. 127th St. that combined two warehouses and a garage into 8,200 sq. ft. of office space.

The rag-tag assortment of buildings was combined by the architectural team of Sara Caples and Evarado Jefferson. The general contractor was E.J. Peters Construction, NYC. John Nakrosis Jr., NYC, and Mo Engineering, Mountain Lakes, N.J., provided engineering services.

Heritage Health & Housing is a private, nonprofit service and development agency that was incorporated in 1969. The organization has an annual budget of more than $9 million and a staff of 140 professionals.

Allied Works Architecture principal Brad Cloepfil recently unveiled his design for the Museum of Arts & Design's new home at Two Columbus Circle. The design transforms the structure into a cultural center that weaves together the museum experience and street life in one of Manhattan's most active public spaces.

"The design of our new home ingeniously meets the complex needs of the museum, projects our mission as an institution that celebrates materials and creative processes, and makes a strong contribution to the future of Columbus Circle," said MAD Director Holly Hotchner.

Mayor Appoints Task Force to Redevelop Staten Island's Homeport

A 16-member task force was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to focus on the redevelopment of the Staten Island Homeport and its surrounding community.

The task force's first objective will be to select a consultant that will work closely with the task force to create a detailed, area-wide development framework that addresses potential uses as well as transportation, parking, open space and waterfront needs.

The task force includes:

• James Molinaro, Staten Island borough president
• Michael McMahon, council member, District #49
• James Oddo, council member, District #50
• Andrew Lanza, council member, District #51
• Vincent La Padula, senior advisor to the Mayor
• Daniel Doctoroff, deputy mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding
• Andrew M. Alper, president, NYC Economic Development Corp.
• Amanda Burden, commissioner, NYC Department of City Planning
• John Antoniello, chair, Community Board 3
• George Caputo, chair, Community Board 1
• Lou Caravone, chair, Community Board 2
• Joseph Marotta, former chair, Community Board 1
• Cesar Claro, president, Staten Island Economic Development Corp.
• Henry A. Salmon, chairman, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
• Rev. Calvin Rice, First Central Baptist Church
• Jim Svetz, local businessman

Vollmer Wins Two Landscape Design Awards

The New Jersey chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects recently presented two merit awards to Vollmer Associates for outstanding landscape architectural design. Vollmer was honored for its design of the Verona Playground, which turned a decaying vacant lot into a neighborhood recreational facility, and the reconstruction of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, which restored it to its former grandeur. Both projects are located in Brooklyn, N.Y.

STV's Plan for West Point Library Wins Federal Planning Award

STV Inc.'s plan for a new library, learning center and multipurpose academic building at the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. has won the Federal Planning Division's award for best area development plan of 2003. The 20003 FPD Awards Program is intended to recognize recent planning projects that demonstrate excellence in originality, transferability, quality, implementation and comprehensiveness.

EYP Designs School Additions and Renovations in Marlboro, N.Y.

Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering P.C., Albany, is designing renovations and additions to Marlboro, Milton and Middle Hope Elementary Schools within the Marlboro Central School District, Marlboro, N.Y. The $33 million project includes a 10,000-sq.-ft. expansion to accommodate a new full day kindergarten program. Five new K-2 classrooms at Middle Hope Elementary will replace existing temporarily modular construction and provide much needed learning space.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2005.