Editor's note: For the benefit of our readers without children in The Bronxville School, below is a reprint (courtesy The Bronxville School) of a report on The Bronxville School website on the flood mitigation project, which has been under way since last May and will continue into 2017. The project is a joint venture between The Bronxville School and the Village of Bronxville, with the village serving as the lead agency.

Aug. 31, 2016:   After the flood of 2007 the village commissioned the engineering firm of Folchetti Associates to develop a comprehensive plan to mitigate the impact and damage of any future floods. That plan was ultimately approved and largely funded by federal and state emergency management agencies (FEMA and SEMO).

Phase I of the project includes two pumps and is expected to cost $8.6 million, of which $5.5 million comes from a FEMA grant, $900,000 from the school, and the balance from the village. After a bidding process the Phase I project was awarded to Montesano Brothers.

Work on Phase I began last May and is currently on track to finish next spring. During the course of construction, all school programs will be maintained, including recess, physical education, and athletics. We also expect continued access for drop-­off and pick-up at the elementary school. Nevertheless, we anticipate temporary inconvenience, disruption, and delays along the way. We will provide the public with new information as it becomes available.

August 18 Update

The installation of force main piping across Pondfield Road is complete, and restoration of the village hall grounds is under way.

The library grounds will remain excavated until the trenchless piping is complete.

The installation of piles to support a new pump station on school property has been completed and construction of the station has begun.

The next phase of the project involves installing a trenchless pipe crossing Midland Avenue in front of the elementary school. The upper elementary lot has been commandeered for this purpose, but drop-off and pick-up access to the elementary school will remain intact.

The installation of flow diversion structures and wet wells [is] under way. As a result, a temporary sidewalk on the northerly side of Midland (at Masterton) may be in place for approximately a week.

A small portion of Hayes Field has also been fenced off to serve as a staging area for construction. Adequate space remains on Hayes field for recess, recreation, and athletic competition.

We are mindful of pedestrian access and site security, and plans are in place for adequate fencing and maintaining sidewalks. During certain periods of time temporary sidewalks will be necessary, but construction deliveries will be timed to avoid high traffic/pedestrian use.

During this period of time the kickball field will serve as a temporary parking lot, offsetting the loss of spaces in the upper elementary lot. This phase of the project should be completed in early October.

Excavation on Hayes Field

Excavation will begin on Hayes Field following the fall sports season. A network of underground pipes will be installed, designed to detain stormwater until it can be safely pumped into the Bronx River. The field will be out of commission for the balance of the school year.

Next spring, the field will be restored and upgraded, based on a plan approved by voters in 2015. The new synthetic turf field should be available for athletics and recreation by the fall of September 2017.

Pictured here:  Pipes for the flood mitigation project in front of the entrance to the Bronxville Elementary School

Photo by A. Warner