As part of the state’s efforts to vaccinate New Yorkers against COVID-19, STV is pitching in by providing construction management services for the opening of a mega vaccination site at Citi Field in Queens capable of servicing thousands of people per day.
Over the past 10 months, STV has performed similar services to convert public buildings/ spaces into COVID-19 testing centers, but the firm’s work at Citi Field marks the first instance of being part of the construction team for a large-scale vaccination center.
“We’ve been working around-the-clock to get this site ready, coordinating with several stakeholders, including the subcontractor, the architect, NYC Health + Hospitals Test & Trace Corps (the site operator) and the New York Mets,” said Hany Costandy, associate, STV’s project manager. “STV has helped out at several testing centers since the pandemic began, but it’s an honor to be a part of a such a high-profile project that’s going to be key in getting New Yorkers vaccinated.”
The project scope includes temporarily transforming the stadium’s Jackie Robinson Rotunda entrance area into a registration area, and then converting several of Citi Field’s suites and offices into vaccination stations, complete with all of the equipment needed to store and administer the vaccine.
“The bulk of the construction was executed in about 72 hours,” said George Toma, AIA, STV project executive. “We’re now participating in the final walkthroughs and addressing any additional changes before it can open to the public.”
New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio is estimating that between 5,000 and 7,000 eligible New Yorkers will eventually be able to get vaccinated at Citi Field every day.