Malone Firm Wins Contract to Build Power Authority Visitors Center

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Bob Hadler
315-764-0226 ext. 300
bob.hadler@nypa.gov

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May 25, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ASTORIA – A construction contract for more than $3.5 million to build a new visitors center for the New York Power Authority’s St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project in Massena has been awarded to H. Schickel General Contracting Inc. of Malone.

Power Authority trustees, meeting at the Charles Poletti Power Project here Tuesday, voted to accept Schickel’s bid to build the new center and provide new recreational facilities at Hawkins Point facing the Robert Moses-Robert Saunders Power Dam from across the south channel of the St. Lawrence River.

The new facility, expected to open in time for the tourist season next year, will replace a popular visitors center that opened in 1959 and hosted more than 5 million visitors. A system-wide security assessment conducted by the Power Authority after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 determined that the old center should be closed.

The new visitors center will have approximately 14,000 square feet of space, about the same size of the old facility.  Public displays, interactive exhibits, a theater and a community room will occupy the main floor. A magnificent panoramic view of the power dam will be available through large windows in the wall facing the river. Offices, storage and utility and mechanical rooms will be located on the basement level.

Also, as part of the commitments made by the Power Authority in return for a new 50-year license to operate the project, the Hawkins Point area will be enhanced with an improved boat ramp and parking and construction of a handicapped-accessible fishing pier. The recreational improvements will be constructed at the same time as the visitors center.