Future home of Carl C. Icahn Charter School Bronx North
Democracy Prep
Civic Builders is half-way through construction on Democracy Preparatory's new facility in Harlem. The project, which launched in December 2007, involves a gut renovation of a church vestry to create a new school space that includes 13 classrooms and a cafeteria/auditorium. The project is on schedule for an August 2008 delivery. learn more >
Capital One Supports Charter Developments
Civic Builders is pleased to announce a new partnership with Capital One. With over 375 branches in the NY/NJ area under the Capital One flag as of March, Capital One is already finding ways in which to contribute to their new communities. The financial institution recently awarded Civic Builders a sizable grant in support of our development work in Brooklyn. While Capital One has been a long time supporter of the charter movement throughout the country, this contribution is the company's first foray into the New York charter facilities market. We thank them for their generous support!
Civic Builders
NYC Charter Center
NY Charter School Association
Office of Charter Schools
Democrats for Education Reform
Center for Educational Innovation - Public Education Association
Civic Tours
Civic holds quarterly tours of completed facilities as well as projects in construction. If you are interested in attending one of these tours, or would like more information, please contact Christina Brown.
Civic Receives $8.3M Grant from U.S. DOE to Build Charter Facilities
Bronx Lighthouse Development Receives Recognition
Capital One Supports Charter Developments
Staff Spotlight: Faye Premer, Project Manager
Democracy Preparatory in Progress
Civic Receives $8.3M Grant from U.S. DOE to Build Charter Facilities
Civic Builders was awarded $8.3 million through the U.S. Department of Education's Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities Grants Program. On April 7, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings presented the check to Civic's CEO David Umansky at a ceremony held at the Tweed Courthouse. NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and Newark Mayor Cory Booker also participated in the event.
“Securing facilities is one of the most challenging obstacles for charter schools, especially here in New York City where space is tight and real estate is expensive,” Chancellor Klein said. “I want to congratulate Civic Builders, which has been doing great work building charter school facilities here.”
Civic will use the grant to fund the creation and/or renovation of approximately 10-14 charter school facilities, serving nearly 5,000 students over the next five years. The $8.3 million is expected to leverage an additional $100 million in capital for charter facility developments.
“Whether you are in New York City or Newark, running one charter school or many, if you’re doing great work with children, Civic Builders wants to work with you,” said Umansky.
learn more >
PHOTO, FROM LEFT: Secretary Spellings, Civic CEO David Umansky, Chancellor Klein and Mayor Booker.
Bronx Lighthouse Development Receives Recognition
The Boston Society of Architects recognized Bronx Lighthouse for its “Urban Design/Iconic Contribution to Streetscape” in its December 2007 issue of ArchitectureBoston. In acknowledging Bronx Lighthouse for its unique contribution to the neighborhood, the jury noted, “the building façade is a striking addition to the urban neighborhood…the design team provided the street with a gorgeous, colorful presence where once a characterless two-story parking garage stood.” Further details on the competition can be found at www.architects.org/awards.
Spotlight on Faye Premer, Project Manager
With one project complete and two in the works, Faye Premer is one of Civic's most prolific Project Managers. In her first year at Civic, Faye managed the 6,000 square foot renovation of Bronx Charter School for the Arts' basement. Currently, she is overseeing both the construction of Achievement First Endeavor's new 70,000 square foot facility in Brooklyn and Democracy Preparatory's 25,500 square foot gut renovation in Harlem.
“My favorite part of the job is problem solving. All day, every day there are construction problems to be solved,” said Faye, who handles predevelopment site work and manages the design team and contractors throughout all phases of a project, working to deliver our facilities on time and on budget.
Faye is a New York state licensed architect who joined Civic in December 2005 after practicing with Polshek Partnership Architects for approximately five years and Tuck Hinton Architects of Nashville for two years. Faye takes a “direct, but collaborative” approach to her work and says that she and the other Project Managers “work really hard to create, spatially, a quality learning environment where kids can enjoy spending their days.”
Faye, who is married and lives in Brooklyn, is an avid reader and enjoys traveling.
