RFQ for Professional Design Services for Nissequogue River State Park, Building 93 Evaluation and Site Planning

**THE FULL RFQ IS INCLUDED AS AN ATTACHEMENT**

 Request for Qualifications

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP) is soliciting proposals from qualified and registered engineering and architectural firms to lead a multi-disciplinary team to provide engineering, hazardous waste abatement, demolition, and landscape services that supports OPRHP through regulatory review and planning for the future of Building 93 at Nissequogue River State Park. The project shall assess existing conditions and prepare technical studies, alternative analyses, and phased design deliverables necessary to advance environmental and historic preservation approvals in accordance with State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) and Section 14.09 of the New York State Historic Preservation Act (SHPA) in consultation with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). Potential project outcomes may include full removal, partial retention, mothballing, or adaptive reuse, to be determined through regulatory processes.

 Selection will be made according to OPRHP Qualification Based Selection Procedures.

 This document summarizes the contracting opportunity, activities to be performed under the contract, submittal instructions, and required qualifications. The actual contractual fee will be negotiated after the most qualified firm has been selected.

Project Highlights

Building 93 is a 13-story former hospital infirmary constructed between 1939 and 1941 on the grounds of the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center. Designed in the Georgian Revival style by state architect William E. Haugaard, the structure is eligible for listing on the State and National Registers of Historic Places and is one of the most prominent and recognizable buildings within Nissequogue River State Park.

The building has been vacant since the early 1990s and has undergone significant deterioration due to exposure, deferred maintenance, and vandalism. A structural survey conducted in 2009 identified unsafe conditions, including loose masonry façade hazards that could result in potentially unsafe conditions below. Despite measures taken to secure the site from illegal entry, including fencing, window boarding, and staff patrols, unauthorized access and trespassing continue to pose safety risks to both the public, park personnel and emergency responders. The structure currently presents a liability in terms of falling debris, potential collapse, and fire hazard.

Environmental assessments available for reference have confirmed the widespread presence of hazardous materials throughout Building 93, including asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint, and PCB-containing light fixtures. These materials require comprehensive abatement in accordance with all applicable federal and state regulations prior to any potential removals or reuse.

The demolition of Building 93 was selected as the preferred alternative in the Nissequogue River State Park Master Plan (Master Plan); however, OPRHP has yet to conduct review under SEQR and SHPA nor make a final decision as to the project outcome. The selected consultant will assist OPRHP in evaluating the full range of options and preparing visual and technical materials necessary to support regulatory review and future agency determinations. As per the master plan, this area will be incorporated into a future multi-use green space, with opportunities for interpretation that acknowledge the historic use of the property.

Project Objectives

The objective of this project is to provide technical and regulatory support to OPRHP in evaluating the future of Building 93. The selected consultant will assess existing conditions and assist in developing alternatives, including but not limited to full removal, partial deconstruction, or rehabilitation. The consultant shall also provide supporting materials to meet all permitting, environmental, and historic review requests. If demolition is identified as the selected alternative, the consultant will prepare all documentation necessary for phased implementation, abatement, and site restoration as well as a plan for historic resources mitigation and interpretation.

Key objectives include:

• Public Safety: Eliminate the active hazard of a structurally compromised high-rise facility that continues to attract trespassing and poses substantial public risks in the form of falling masonry and other debris, fire, or collapse. The project will secure the site and remove a known liability for park operations and the surrounding community.
• Regulatory Compliance: Complete all work in accordance with SEQR and SHPA. Obtain all other necessary permits, reviews, and approvals to meet health, safety, and environmental standards.
• Environmental Hazard Mitigation: Perform full abatement and legal disposal of hazardous materials known to be present in the building, including asbestos, lead-based paint, and PCB-containing equipment. All work will conform to applicable state and federal environmental and labor regulations to ensure safe handling and environmental protection.
• Site Restoration: If demolition is identified as the selected alternative, remove all structural elements of Building 93 and restore the site in a manner consistent with the adopted Master Plan. This area will be part of a future multi-use green space, allowing for passive recreation and landscape integration that reflects the park’s natural and cultural character.
• Plan for Interpretation of the historical use of the land.

Required Services

The selected consultant shall lead a multidisciplinary team to deliver professional services required for the future of Building 93, which may include phased abatement, demolition, and restoration. Services shall cover all necessary investigation, design, regulatory coordination, construction support, and oversight to advance the project through completion.

 The RFQ should highlight the proposer’s experience in the following areas:

• Hazardous materials assessment and abatement and demolition of large institutional buildings
• Structural evaluation and demolition planning for high-rise or compromised structures
• Regulatory review and permitting, including preparation of a Visual Impact Assessment
• Projects involving historic structures and SHPO coordination
• Site restoration and landscape integration following demolition
• Hazardous material monitoring during abatement and demolition

 The scope of work includes, but is not limited to:

• Supplemental Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) and, if necessary, Phase II investigation
• Hazardous materials survey and inventory (asbestos, lead, PCBs, universal waste, refrigerants, etc.)
• Development of abatement design documents in compliance with federal and state regulations
• Structural integrity assessment of Building 93 and associated tunnels
• Plan for interpretation of historical use of the site, consultant to be
• If required, develop a historic preservation mitigation plan in consultation with OPRHP and the Region utilizing a SOI qualified for Historic Architecture
• A set of current exterior and, if possible, interior photographs keyed to site and floor plans
• Preparation of documentation to support OPRHP’s review under SEQR, including a Visual Impact Assessment of alternatives consistent with the adopted Master Plan
• In consultation with SHPO, an Alternative Analysis document considering full removal, partial retention, mothballing, and adaptive reuse including supporting details such as visual renderings, structural implications, rehabilitation costs, code compliance, building conditions, and other related information
• If the selected alternative results in an adverse impact, support OPRHP-directed mitigation measures for items such as retention, interpretative signage or archival documentation.
• Utility disconnection coordination and site surveying
• Preparation of phased design drawings and specifications with 60%, 90%, and 100% submittals
• Cost estimating at key design milestones, including value engineering support
• Bid-phase support including pre-bid meetings, RFIs, and bid evaluation
• Construction phase services including full-time abatement monitoring and part-time demolition oversight
• Implementation of Community Air Monitoring Plan (CAMP) during all intrusive field activities
• Final inspections, closeout documentation, and preparation of operations and maintenance summaries
• Regular meetings and coordination with OPRHP and regulatory authorities

 If structural evaluation indicates that interior access for conventional abatement is unsafe or unfeasible, the consultant shall develop alternate approaches that comply with all applicable environmental and regulatory standards. This includes but is not limited to consideration of demolition with hazardous materials in place, followed by off-site or controlled on-site remediation of debris. Abatement design must account for both conventional and alternative scenarios based on structural findings.

Project Packages & Phases

Due to the complexity of the project, presence of hazardous materials, and anticipated funding limitations, the work will be delivered in three distinct design packages: abatement, implementation of the selected alternative, and a potential 3^rd design package in case there are funding issues. Each package will be designed as a stand-alone bid package, with clearly defined scopes and contractor trades.

The consultant shall plan for both standard abatement and contingency scenarios. If Building 93 is determined to be structurally unsound and unsafe for interior access, alternatives such as demolition with hazardous materials in place may be required to be explored. In such cases, abatement activities must be integrated into post-project debris management, conducted under strict containment protocols and regulatory oversight. Design documents and cost estimates must clearly reflect both conventional and alternate approaches.

Proposals should include full services to complete the following phases:

1. Phase 1 – Preliminary Investigation and Design Development through 100% Design Development (Approximately 6 months)
   1. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and Hazardous Materials Survey
   2. Structural Integrity Survey
   3. Visual Impact Assessment
   4. Alternative Analysis, SHPO coordination and site interpretation plan
   5. Conceptual Design of Abatement and Strategies for Implementation of Selected Alternative (up to three schemes)
   6. Schematic Design for each proposed bid package
   7. Design Development Drawings and Outline Specifications
   8. Up to 3 Construction Cost Estimates based on implementation alternatives
2. Phase 2 – Final Construction Documents and Permitting (Approximately 6 months)
   1. 60%, 90%, and 100% Construction Documents
   2. Technical Specifications and Appendices
   3. Regulatory Permit Submissions and SHPO Mitigation Deliverables
   4. 60%, 90%, and100% Construction Cost Estimates
3. Phase 3 – Construction Administration and Project Closeout (Approximately 12 months)
   1. Bidding Support for each phase (pre-bid meetings, RFIs, addenda)
   2. Abatement and Project Oversight (full-time for abatement, part-time for project implementation)
   3. Community Air Monitoring Program (CAMP) Implementation
   4. Field Reports, Progress Meetings, and Submittal Reviews
   5. Final Inspections, Punch Lists, and Closeout Documentation

References Provided

The following references are for your use.

1. Nissequogue River State Park Master Plan and Appendixes (August 2023)

Available for download: https://parks.ny.gov/inside-our-agency/master-plans.aspx 

2. Building #93 Structural Survey Report (May 2009)
3. Building #93 Details Kings Park State Hospital (Date Unknown)
4. Building #93 Historic Preservation Inventory Blue Form (March 1983)
5. Building #93 Facility Characterization Summary Report (May 2010)
6. Building #93 Archive Historic Drawings (1938 to 1973)
7. Building #93 Exterior Photos (November 2007)

Site Visit

Due to ongoing safety concerns and the deteriorated condition of the structure, Building 93 is not open to the public and is not accessible; however a formal site visit outside the facility will be conducted on August 27, 2025 at 1:00PM at 799 St Johnland Rd, Kings Park, NY 11754. Proposers are encouraged to review the provided documentation and reference materials in detail to familiarize themselves with the project conditions.