Renovation of a mixed-use development in Riverhead, New York. Conceptual plans call for the renovation of a educational facility.

https://riverheadlocal.com/2025/11/20/riverhead-school-district-set-to-begin-26m-capital-improvement-project-funded-by-energy-cost-savings/ The Riverhead Board of Education heard a detailed update on the district’s energy performance contract Tuesday night, a $26 million project that will modernize building systems, cut utility costs and generate long-term savings without increasing taxes. Michael Lantier, a partner at H2M Architects & Engineers, walked the board and community through the scope of the work, the state approval process, and an anticipated construction timeline that could begin as early as next month, pending final authorization from the State Education Department. Energy performance contracts allow public entities to finance capital improvements using guaranteed energy savings. In Riverhead’s case, the project includes 34 separate upgrades across eight schools. The district expects to save about $27 million over the 18-year term of the agreement, slightly more than the project’s total cost, resulting in a positive cash flow of roughly $2 million. State building aid will reimburse about 37.6% of eligible costs, reducing the net project cost to about $17.4 million. Rebates and incentives are expected to total another $5.7 million, according to district documents. Lantier said the district received four proposals after issuing a request for energy service companies and selected RENU Energy Solutions, whose proposal offered the greatest benefit at the lowest cost. RENU completed a certified energy audit and is now working with H2M to finalize construction documents. The State Education Department has completed its preliminary review and is conducting a second technical review. Lantier said he expects a response within two weeks. If the state issues a construction permit by early December, work could begin before the end of the year. The most visible component of the project is the installation of solar photovoltaic arrays at seven school buildings. Six of the systems will be mounted on parking-lot carports and one will be ground-mounted at Phillips Avenue Elementary School. Lantier showed aerial renderings overlaying the proposed carport layouts and said the installations are generally positioned along large parking areas rather than in front of building entrances. He addressed several frequently asked questions about solar canopies, including snow accumulation, maintenance needs and whether carports provide shelter from rain and weather. Snow typically melts quickly from the panels, he said, and the structures act as partial canopies over walkways and parking areas. Lighting will be installed beneath the canopies, and any existing poles that interfere with the installation will be removed. In addition to solar, the project includes LED lighting upgrades in every building; boiler and burner replacements; new natural gas service to Phillips Avenue and Riley Avenue schools; building-management system improvements; new unit ventilators at two schools; transformer replacements; weatherization and insulation upgrades; high-efficiency pumps and motors; and software and control systems that reduce electricity use by computers, air-conditioning equipment and other devices. Construction is expected to take 18 to 24 months, with most work scheduled after school hours or during summer breaks to limit disruption. After installation, the systems undergo a commissioning process, followed by measurement and verification to confirm the district is achieving the savings guaranteed by the energy service company. Board members raised questions about conduit placement for security systems, the visual impact of carports, and the guarantee of energy savings. Board President James Scudder asked what happens if the guaranteed savings do not materialize. Lantier said the contract requires the energy service company to reimburse the district for any shortfall. I Trustee Virginia Healy asked about the placement of the carports and whether they obstruct the fronts of any buildings. Lantier said they do not, though some may be visible from the road. Trustee Cynthia Redmond said the combination of long-term savings and major capital upgrades represents an important benefit for taxpayers at a time when residents are facing rising costs in other areas. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Project work includes kitchen renovations for Phillips Avenue Elementary School. As of June 13, 2025, this project is in the conceptual phase. The capital project has been approved. Information regarding a design firm and the general contractor selection timeline has not been disclosed. A firm construction timeline has not been released. *Project information, including timeline and contacts, has been obtained through public sources. The content management team continues to pursue additional details; however, the contact(s) listed have yet to disclose or confirm any information. Inquiries should be directed to the contact(s) listed.