Construction Plans
A great many people have been working tirelessly on the NYA Capital Campaign for much of this year and we are making good progress in meeting our initial financial goal of $490,000. Thanks to you and our wonderful community we are only $13,000 away from meeting our primary goal, and after that we will begin raising funds for the HVAC, security system, viewing window, and new mats.
In anticipation of the physical work that will soon take place, I wanted to take a moment to explain how we envision the necessary renovations unfolding.
Let me introduce you to Jay Tall of TALL BUILDERS LLC based in Brooklyn, NY. whose company will be the General Contractor for the project. Jay Tall is not just a contractor by profession but a long-time practitioner of Aikido.
Currently Jay is co-owner with Hal Lehrman Sensei of ASNJ (Aikido Schools of New Jersey) and serves as its Dojo-cho while teaching a thriving Aikido student body.
Jay and Hal are also business partners in a real estate company and have developed more than a dozen properties in Brooklyn. Of key importance is that Jay has successfully renovated TWO dojos, Aikido of Park Slope and ASNJ and is well versed in the challenges that come with a dojo renovation. He has already contributed a significant amount of time and expertise to help us navigate the complexities of the NYA project.
The NYA Board has worked with PBDW Architects and a team of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural engineers, zoning, code consultants and expeditors to clarify and then finalize the building department requirements for the renovation. As a result of that effort, Jay has been able to pull the permits for the work, meaning the NYC Department of Buildings has approved the project and once the needed funds have been raised all is “ready to go!”
In order to minimize the disruption of classes over the tenure of the construction project, Jay Tall has developed a construction phasing plan. Using the following four phases of construction as a framework, the project should take about a year.
Demolition of the 3rd floor Deshi area and construction of temporary changing areas.
Demolition and construction of 2nd floor locker area with new entry/egress stair from street to roof of east building. (Most significant portion of the project).
Open 2nd floor changing areas and new entry and renovate the Deshi quarters
Renovate 2nd floor practice area with new mechanical, electrical and plumbing, sprinkler system, new lights and fans, and new mats with sound/vibration dampening system.
Much of phase 4 would be done between classes until the mats are replaced and installed with a sound isolation system.
When can we start? Once our Capital Campaign Goals have been reached and the NYA Board determines the method by which they will receive additional funding. We anticipate this to be completed soon. The NYA Board continues to investigate potential grants and bank loans as well as the “condo” sale of the ground floor to determine the optimal strategy for the financial stability and longevity of the dojo.
We are getting close! All gifts of all sizes matter–truly. It is the gifts of $50 or $100 that will get us to our first fundraising goal, so please, if you haven’t already, consider donating today, or making a pledge to be paid over three years.
Many thanks!
Junya Nakatsugawa
Board Treasurer