Project Name: Trinity Lakes Station

Company Name: Trinity Metro

Project Location: Fort Worth, Texas United States

Project Information/Details: A crowd of transit enthusiasts gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Trinity Lakes Station in east Fort Worth. The station is one of 10 stops for Trinity Railway Express (TRE), the commuter rail line offering service between Fort Worth and Dallas. Trinity Metro was joined by representatives of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Tarrant County Commissioners Court, Fort Worth City Council and other leaders and stakeholders across North Texas. The celebration included a grand-opening ceremony and a ribbon-cutting to commemorate the new train station for Trinity Railway Express. Richard Andreski, President and CEO of Trinity Metro, summarized the significance of the event by saying, “This train station is about mobility; it’s about connecting communities,” he said. “What this station represents is the future of our city. People depend on reliable transportation to get to work, to visit family and to participate in their community – and rail transit is a big part of that.” Trinity Lakes Station also offers TRE travelers connectivity to two Trinity Metro bus routes, including service to Tarrant County College Northeast Campus. The new station is part of Trinity Lakes, a 1,600-acre master planned community that includes retail and residential transit-oriented development. Michael Morris, Director of Transportation for North Central Texas Council of Governments, stressed the importance of celebrating the teamwork involved in making Trinity Lakes Station a reality. “Stop and celebrate what you have as a Fort Worth family and how you deliver projects,” he said. Morris also talked about the impact of investment in public transportation. “When you invest in transit, you’re investing in hope, you’re investing in air quality, you’re investing in cities, you’re investing in economic development, and you’re creating an opportunity to change the world, one station at a time.” Additional speakers were: Laura Wallace, Director of Program Management and Project Oversight, FTA Region 6; Gyna Bivens, Fort Worth Mayor Pro Tem, District 5 Fort Worth City Council Member, and Chair of the Regional Transportation Council; Jeff Davis, Chair of Trinity Metro Board of Directors; and Ken Newell, Trinity Lakes Developer.

Project Name: Houston National Cemetery’s Hemicycle Monument

Company Name: Western Specialty Contractors

Project Location: Houston, Texas United States

Project Information/Details: Western Specialty Contractors – Houston, TX Branch is proud to have completed restoration of the Houston National Cemetery’s iconic hemicycle monument in time for its 2023 Memorial Day ceremony. The historic cemetery’s focal point and site for all special observances is its horseshoe-shaped hemicycle monument, which also features a chapel, 330-bell carillon tower and speaker’s stand at its center. Houston’s hemicycle is one of only three known hemicycles located in a national cemetery. The others are located at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia and at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines. Houston’s hemicycle, crafted of exposed aggregate precast panels, was showing signs of cracking and spalling. General contractor Decatur Construction, Inc. hired concrete restoration experts Western Specialty Contractors in April 2022 to restore the monument in time for the cemetery’s annual Memorial Day ceremony to be held on May 29, 2023. “Most likely the joint sealants and water repellants that were installed originally had exceeded their useful life warranty and as a result allowed water intrusion into the precast panels. Thus, rusting began on the internal reinforcement and caused cracking and spalling in the panels,” said Western Branch Project Manager Ryan Danielson. Western’s scope of work included: Concrete spall repairs Removal and replacement of sealants Cleaning the entire structure Western used two strategies to prepare the monument’s substrate for waterproofing. First, with a steam cleaner to remove any dirt or mildew that had accumulated over the years, then, when the first method did not produce the desired results, switched to a cold pressure wash with a low PSI and an applied diluted bleach solution to restore the precast to its original appearance. After thoroughly preparing the substrate, Western’s craftsmen applied a SYSTEM 90-Series sealer from Edison Coatings. The reactive treatment is designed for maximum performance and exterior durability in protection of on-grade and above-grade stone, concrete and masonry. Surfaces treated with SYSTEM 90 products are sealed against a wide range of chemical and weather exposures including acid rain, melting snow, freeze-thaw, air pollutants and wind-driven rain. Western was able to complete the work in time for the Memorial Day event despite weather delays during the winter months, challenges with matching repairs to the existing substrate, and strict government guidelines on the project. The monument remained open to visitors for the duration of the project, however Western did install temporary barricades around work areas for pedestrian safety.

Project Name: Tuscarora Nation School

Company Name: New York Power Authority

Project Location: Lewiston, New York United States

Project Information/Details: The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced the completion of a new water treatment system and heating units at the Tuscarora Nation School. The energy efficiency projects at the school were made possible through an ongoing collaboration between the Tuscarora Nation, the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District and NYPA. Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll joined school district administrators and Tuscarora Council leaders to celebrate the projects and to view students’ energy advocacy work during an assembly at the school. “The New York Power Authority is committed to sharing its expertise and resources in ways that are meaningful for local communities,” said NYPA Chairman and Buffalo resident John R. Koelmel. “These no-cost energy solutions will provide a lasting benefit to students and families in the Tuscarora Nation and attest to the power of public-private partnerships that continue to strengthen the entire Western New York region.” The $934,000 water treatment and heating unit system was funded and implemented by the Power Authority. The Niagara Wheatfield Central School District and the Tuscarora Nation are eligible entities under NYPA’s environmental justice program, which conducts customized programs for underserved communities near NYPA facilities—in this case, the Niagara Power Project in Lewiston. “We are pleased to help the Tuscarora Nation School upgrade the infrastructure systems that serve the children and will make school facilities more energy efficient for years to come,” Driscoll said. “The Tuscarora Nation shares a commitment with the Power Authority to address the impacts of a changing climate and focus on energy use and sustainable living. Our partnership supports the next generation and brings us another step closer to achieving New York State’s nation-leading clean energy goals.” NYPA’s environmental justice team recently engaged the 5th and 6th graders within the Tuscarora Nation School in an environmental advocacy program. Students learned about the energy upgrades happening at their school and ways to work together to conserve energy. Students also developed their own conservation campaigns to share with their peers. The Tuscarora Nation School, an elementary-level New York State public school, is on Tuscarora Nation land and encourages its students to become competent, caring, independent learners while maintaining their strong connection to language, culture and the history of the Tuscarora Nation. “Tuscarora School is very grateful for the energy work NYPA completed, and in such a timely manner,” said Elizabeth Corieri, principal of Tuscarora Nation School. “The collaboration between NYPA and our 5th- and 6th-grade students made a lasting impression by reinforcing the importance of problem-solving and thinking deeply and creatively about the process of planning a project with a timeline. Students also brainstormed ways to improve our school in the years to come.” The Power Authority worked with the Nation and the school district to conduct an energy audit and identify the most urgent projects. The audit reported that the well water filtration system, boilers and heating and ventilation units all required significant upgrades or replacement. NYPA upgraded the water filtration and softening systems that remove impurities from the water on its way from the well to the school for use in the kitchen and bathrooms. The project also involved replacing 11 heating and ventilation units powered by gas to provide heat and air conditioning in the cafeteria, staff room and classrooms with electric units. The new electrified system avoids the use of fossil fuels and makes the units cleaner, safer, and more cost and energy efficient. The environmental justice team plans additional STEM and career support programs in the Tuscarora school and Niagara Wheatfield Central School District. A workshop on how to weatherize a home will be scheduled for adults in April. NYPA leadership is committed to providing support to the Tuscarora Nation and other communities located near its assets. The NYPA environmental justice team provides Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education programs, teacher training, mentorships, internships, community workshops and fairs, career support initiatives and energy information for low-income homeowners and renters throughout the state. “Community collaboration and engagement are the hallmarks of NYPA’s Environmental Justice program, which provides meaningful energy-based projects and education to benefit local families and residents,” said Kaela Mainsah, vice president of NYPA’s Environmental Justice department. “Our team addresses concerns and challenges in a way that makes sense for that particular community. The improvements announced here today were specific requests and we were pleased to be able to work with our friends to help them accomplish their sustainability goals.” As part of the Power Authority’s ongoing environmental justice efforts, it completed new energy efficient LED lighting and an energy audit at four Niagara Falls Housing Authority facilities in 2021 and contributed $300,000 to energy upgrades at the Explore & More Children’s Museum. Additionally, NYPA funded the purchase of energy efficient refrigerators in more than 250 apartments managed by the Massena Housing Authority, conducted a geo-thermal study for the Utica Municipal Housing Authority, and opened a hydroponics lab for the community at Astoria Houses in Queens. Senator Tim Kennedy said, "This partnership between the Tuscarora Nation and NYPA is an example of what can be accomplished through a shared vision for environmental justice and investing in the future of our children. I'm thrilled to see this project completed with support from New York." Assemblyman Angelo Morinello said, “I’d like to thank NYPA for their completed project at the Tuscarora Nation School. The new water treatment and heating system will not only provide a more energy efficient facility for staff and students but will also have a cleaner impact on the environment.”