NPS Making Headway on School HVAC Improvements

On Monday, July 7, Mayor Harry Rilling, Sen. Bob Duff and Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella provided an update on the work being done to upgrade Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in six buildings across Norwalk Public Schools following the City being awarded $21.5 million in State Grants in 2024. The enhancements will benefit the following schools: Brien McMahon High School, Brookside Elementary School, Marvin Elementary School, Naramake Elementary School, Silvermine Elementary School, and Rowayton Elementary School.

In 2022, the State implemented a new HVAC grant program, allowing municipalities the opportunity to submit grant proposals to be selected for HVAC upgrades. The City was fortunate to receive HVAC grant funding at the State's newly approved reimbursement rate of 60% for new school construction projects, saving the City millions of dollars.

The estimated total cost for all six schools is approximately $36 million. The City, through its Special Capital Budget Appropriation process, approved its share as follows:

Project updates (July 2025):

• Brookside Elementary School – Improvements include the replacement of existing rooftop air conditioning equipment and the installation of a new air conditioning system in the gymnasium. The work started this summer and will continue through the fall. The project is projected to be completed by December 2025.
• Brien McMahon High School – Improvements include new air conditioning equipment for the gymnasium and the replacement of an existing chiller, which will also include a second spare unit. Work is scheduled to begin this summer, and the construction of the exterior chiller pad will continue through the fall. New chillers and the air conditioning unit in the gymnasium will be installed in the spring of 2026. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2026.
• Silvermine Elementary School – Improvements include the replacement of the building's heating system and the installation of new air conditioning equipment for the gymnasium. Work is scheduled to begin this summer, and the heating system is projected to be completed this fall.
• Rowayton Elementary School – Improvements include the installation of new electrical service, the replacement of the building's heating system, and the installation of new air conditioning equipment in classrooms. Work is scheduled to begin this summer. Some second-shift work may be performed during the upcoming school year, with the bulk of the work scheduled for the summer of 2026.
• Naramake Elementary School – Improvements consist of the installation of new electrical service and new air conditioning equipment in classrooms. Some second-shift work may be performed during the upcoming school year, with the bulk of the work scheduled for the summer of 2026.
• Marvin Elementary School – Due to the bid results, we are scheduled to amend the project scope of work and rebid this fall. New rooftop equipment is projected to be delivered in the spring of 2026, with construction expected to begin in the summer of the same year.

In a separate project not covered by the state grant, Norwalk Public Schools is also making HVAC improvements at Tracey Magnet School this summer. As of July 3, 2025, that project was 65% completed.

The Norwalk Land Use and Building Management approved authorization for the Mayor to execute an agreement with Olympus Construction - a Division of Cattaruzza, LLC - for the Tracey School Air Conditioning and Electrical Upgrades Project for a total not to exceed $526,800.

To learn more about the Tracey project, please view the Land Use and Building Management committee meeting from Feb. 5, 2025.