Former St. Teresa School to train court officers — Brooklynian
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Former St. Teresa School to train court officers

capt. planetcapt. planet
edited 1:49AM in Crown Heights/Prospect Lefferts Gardens

For more information, attend the hearing at 6:30 PM on Thurs. March 3rd at the Center for Nursing and Rehab, on Classon bet. Park Place and Prospect Place. Housing Committee, CB 8.

St. Teresa's School is located near CNR on the corner of Sterling Place and Classon. It's been a vacant eyesore for years.

Could be a good thing, but the devil's in the details.

See attached for same.

Attached files image

Comments

  • capt. planetcapt. planet

    Oops. Attachment denied due to overly large file size. Guess you'll just have to brave the cold and find out in person.

  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited September 2014

    For readers who like background:

    http://www.thechief-leader.com/news/2007-05-04/news/005.html

    http://ilovefranklinave.blogspot.com/2010/05/court-officers-training-academy-coming.html

    For readers who like to read what I write (?):

    Here's a story, I wrote on this topic when I was really bored on a related thread, back in 2010:

    Once upon a time, back in 2006, the NYS Senate passed a bill:

    http://image.iarchives.nysed.gov/images/images/80824.pdf

    They even consistently reported the project as being in Crown Heights.

    Once the governor and some other characters signed the bill, the folks who supervise the Court Officers were happy and decided to run an article in the ultra boring civil servant newspaper (as per the first link above, dated 2007).

    Then the process entered the NYS procurement system. :(

    After that it likely went into the design phase with the NYS Dormatory authority.

    About two years later, sometime in 2009, it likely finally came out of design and the authority obtained permission to release an RFP. :D

    http://www.dasny.org/construc/bidops/opportunity.php?bidid=1481

    While they had it, the Dormatory Authority created cool drawings of what Building 1 (former elementary school), Building 2 (former auditorium/gymnasium), and Building 3 (former convent) are supposed to end up looking like.

    This helped contractors configure their bids. You can see the drawings here:

    http://www.dasny.org/construc/procurement/in_progress/343/343.php

    When the bid was released, they also made a press release that stated how great they are. The guy who writes I Love Franklin Ave. (see second link above) decided it was pretty cool

    Meanwhile, contractors read the RFP and scratched their chins. They stayed up late, and then turned in their plans by the due date, April 2010.

    If you and a friend wanted to build this project, you are too late. :cry:

    At this very moment, the authority is presently reviewing the bids, and thinking of questions to ask the contractors. The contractors will consider most of the questions to be annoying, but will try to remain polite.

    Hopefully soon, some contractor will get the news they have been chosen.

    This contractor will be very

    :D

    Their name will appear here: http://www.dasny.org/construc/procurement/in_progress/343/news.php

    After that, folks with hard hats will hopefully appear on Classon to revitalize the complex. :D.

    The contractors will eat burgers at Dutch Boy.

    It's all likely to happen with NYS funds that were dedicated in 2007 , because in 2010 they are broke and we are unlikely to see any fundings for projects of this type as a result

    After about 2 years or so, the court officers will get to move into their new digs.

    For readers who like updates:

    I am pleased to update this story by stating that the scaffolding is now up, and that Brownstoner has announced work has begun!

    http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2011/04/new_life_for_st.php#comments

  • catwalkertexasrangercatwalkertexasranger

    I have been inside a couple of times. The bldg is in very poor condition. The contractor on site now will do the demo, roof repair and pointing. There will be a second floor added after the mezzanine is removed. This is a good use of the property and the church remains the owner w the city signing a long-term lease. I only hope they don't issue 100's of parking permits and clog up the streets w "official use" cars and take up stools at Franklin Park, Wash Comm and the new Chavela's. I hope somebody got some good shots of the painting on the side of the bldg before it's sandblasted off

  • eastbloceastbloc

    Which building? It looks like at least three and maybe four are getting some attention, including the "Nu Prospect House" and an adjacent apartment building, the building on the corner across from the church, and the one on the corner of Classon and St. John's.

  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited May 2014

    I believe the court officers will take control of most of the buildings on the site.

    It is a large school, for all of NYC

  • bohumabohuma

    Brooklyn Jesuit Prep is staying as a school. Hopefully some money will be spent improving that building as well, but that will be the responsibility of the Diocese or the school.

  • whynot_31whynot_31

    The construction fences are up, but I'm at work when construction would be happening and am not sure if the site is active.

    Are people seeing guys in hard hats wandering in and out of the buildings yet?

  • catwalkertexasrangercatwalkertexasranger

    There is a small crew over there working. If you have any questions you can usually find the PM of the job having a cup of coffee at union coffee time @9-925am...at Glass Shop

  • whynot_31whynot_31

    Is the training academy scheduled to open Sept 2012?

  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited May 2014

    ---> one year passes <---


    No. That deadline has been delayed.

    But the good news is that work has begun:

    http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2012/08/work-spotted-at-the-st-theresa-building-complex-on-classon/#disqus_thread

  • eastbloceastbloc

    Wow, it's been boarded up for twenty years! I would have liked to have checked it out inside before the contractors got to it.

  • whynot_31whynot_31

    The New York State Court Officers Academy provides training programs for all court system personnel classified as “peace officers.” The Academy, under the command of Chief of Training Joseph Baccellieri, Jr., has a staff of twenty-two full time court officers who are all certified as police instructors by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services. In addition, adjunct Academy instructors are utilized throughout the State to carry out various training requirements. These highly trained professionals are responsible for carrying out all court system training programs (statewide), many of which are required by statute.

    Established in 1972 (view historical photos), the Academy is responsible for training approximately 4,500 court officers, as well as approximately 2,000 additional non-uniformed peace officers of the Unified Court System. In the beginning, court officers were trained in screening and other procedures by local-area police departments. Today the Academy certifies its own instructors as well as those from other agencies and police departments.

    Recruits (court officer-trainees) are required to attend a 14-week training program at either the Court Officers Academy located in NYC, or our upstate facility in Cohoes (Albany County) for their Initial Peace Officer Basic Training. Recruits should be prepared to actively participate in and demonstrate proficiency in areas including physical training, defensive tactics, basic life support, and firearms training. Recruits must also complete a challenging academic curriculum covering New York State Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, court structure, agency policies and guidelines, arrest procedures, baton and pepper spray use, prisoner handling/escort, counter-terrorism training, bomb detection device training, critical incident management, law enforcement mental health, domestic violence awareness, incident command systems, evacuation procedures, oral and written communication skills, defensive driving, and interacting with the general public. This is just a sample of the core curriculum covered at the Court Officers Academy. Upon successful completion of the 14-week basic law enforcement training, recruits are certified by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Public Safety, as Peace Officers of the State of New York.

    Additionally, a wide variety of in-service training programs are offered to court officers of all ranks. Specialized training is also conducted for units such as the Mobile Security Patrol (MSP), Special Response Team (SRT), the New York State Courts Ceremonial Unit, and various instructor level and “train-the-trainer” courses. The 35-hour Basic Peace Officer Training Course is given periodically for employees in the court clerk and court assistant positions, whose titles also are covered under statute as peace officers. One or more of our eight firearm ranges are in operation daily throughout the state to satisfy statute-mandated annual re-qualification for all court system peace officers who are authorized to carry a firearm.

    The Academy’s range of responsibilities is increasing exponentially and will continue to do so as we constantly strive to meet the demands of the New York State Judiciary for the 21st century.

    http://www.nycourts.gov/careers/cot/academy.shtml

    Currently, the training facility is located in lower Manhattan, and Court Officers in Training are put up in extended hotels for the 14 weeks.

    At the new facility, they will be living on site in dorms. This should be big economic and "security" boom to the neighborhood.

  • whynot_31whynot_31

    A recent conversation with a construction guy indicates that this facility is on schedule to open in the Fall of 2013.

    ...and that they are "building lots of dorms for the students"

    Pro-tip to businesses: Although the students will have the option eating at an onsite cafeteria, many are likely to seek casual, quick, cheap meals off site.

  • whynot_31whynot_31

    Update late Feb 2013: Construction is continuing at a steady clip.

    If you look closely, you can see that they have finished with the demolition, and are now focusing on interior work.

    ...this project is being overseen by the NYS Dormitory Authority, so the cynic in me says it will be late and over budget. I hope they don't close the existing Court Officer's Training facility before they are able to open this one...

  • whynot_31whynot_31

    This academy will take over several street addresses:

    523 St. John's Place

    779 Classon Avenue

    560 Sterling Place (Block 1175, Lot 1)

    When the project was first announced (October 2011), the Brooklyn Eagle stated it should be open by Fall 2012. Obviously, that did not happen.

    The renovated 53,000-square feet complex will include fitness and training facilities, classrooms, dormitories, a cafeteria, locker rooms and showers, and administrative office space.
    http://50.56.218.160/archive/category.php?category_id=4&id=46565

  • whynot_31whynot_31

    March 25, 2013

    Greetings Lt. Anthony Mung-

    I live near the Court Officers Training Academy that is presently under construction on Classon Ave in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

    Do you know when it is expected to be complete, and the first class is to be admitted?

    Thanks

    (real name)

    ----------------------------------------------------------

    March 26, 2013

    Good Morning Mr. (real name):

    The Court Officers Training Academy is still currently undergoing construction and will be completed sometime in the next year or two. Classes starting at the new Academy will be dependent on the completion date of the facility.

    If you are interested in becoming a NYS Court Officer, then the first step in the process is a written exam, which is generally given once every 4-5 years. The last one was given in 2009, so the next one will most likely not take place before sometime in 2013-2014. The best course of action is to periodically check the website

    www.nycourts.gov/courtofficer-recruit and/or the civil service newspaper "The Chief". Best of luck in your endeavors.

    Lt. Anthony Mung

    Supervising Lieutenant

    NYS Court Officers Academy

    123 William St, 12th Flr

    New York, NY 10038

    646-386-5660

    amung@courts.state.ny.us

    Please consider the environment before printing this email.

    --------------------------------------------------

  • mr. metmr. met

    damn, the next year or 2? it's a serious eye sore right now.

    Whynot -- do you know if the training facility is going to be both of the large yellowish buildings, or just one of them?

  • whynot_31whynot_31

    I believe it will take over all of these buildings:

    523 St. John's Place

    779 Classon Avenue

    560 Sterling Place (Block 1175, Lot 1)

    Which is another way on saying that it will take over all of the yellowish buildings except this building (533 St. Johns), which will remain the home of Brooklyn Jesuit Prep:


  • mr. metmr. met

    thanks -- that's good news

    i think the above building is 560 Sterling -- i figured that would remain a school

  • whynot_31whynot_31

    Not so fast, Mr. Met.

    The school has recently been notified that it is likely to be closed:

    http://brooklyn.news12.com/parents-teachers-plead-for-bk-school-to-stay-open-1.5194676

  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited May 2014

    Readers, this development is one of the Big Developments happening in western Crown Heights in 2014 that we will bewatching closely. To learn about the others, see this thread: http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/37490/the-big-6-developments-in-western-ch-in-2013-the-big-11-developments-in-2014#Item_29

  • whynot_31whynot_31
    It's been a while since I've been able to update this thread, but here's the news:

    There are now sufficient court officer vacancies and funding to proceed with creating a class for the Academy.

    Candidates who took the court officers exam in 2009 (the last time I believe it was offered), are now being contacted to see if they are still interested:

    New candidates are being sought, and the exam is again being offered:

    These are solid, NYS jobs:

    Based on the above, I am predicting that the Academy will open in Spring 2015.
  • goldemi1goldemi1
    Still wonder what this does to the area as I live a block away. Lower crime? Meatheads with attitudes? More business on Classon? Time will tell
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    I think all will happen. The question is just around "how much?"
  • MosugaMosuga
    Just join today and I must say you are on point. I am one of those lucky ones awaiting to become a court officer. I have been accepted just this week and awaiting physical and medical. The Brooklyn location will be wonderful and convenient .. Thank you for all the knowledge
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Congrats!

    Welcome to the board and neighborhood.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited May 2014
    With every passing day, the Court Officers Academy shows how much slower things are built with taxpayer dollars. In the current economy, a for profit company would have had this site built and converted into condos years ago. 

     Today, I was able to gain access into the inner courtyard.

    I was all alone. No workmen or tools in sight....

    Based on the site's present state, we are not getting a class of Court Officers anytime soon.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    image
    image
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    image
  • howncreightshowncreights
    It's a shame-- that auditorium would make such a sick music venue...
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited June 2014
    I assume they will use a temporary location for the next class:

    10320603_620023431424939_1602463031316662326_n
  • tateinbktateinbk
    How long is the training and do you have to pay?  For the average adult, would being accepted mean going without salary?
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    You have to score high on the exam to be eligible to attend the academy. I assume you are paid while a student.
  • homeownerhomeowner
    It works the same way the police academy does. If you get a seat in the class (based on your test score), you are paid a trainee's salary while you are in the academy.

    Here's the details:
    New York State Court Officer-Trainees enter the Academy at Judicial Grade 14. After successful completion of a two-year traineeship, court officers automatically promote to Judicial Grade 18. The salary range for these two grades as of January 2014, from hiring rate to maximum is $39,771 to $67,473.
    • Twelve (12) Paid Holidays
    • Pre-Tour Prep Leave Time
    • Regular Work Schedule
    • Twenty (20) Paid Vacation Days in First Year
    • Twenty-Seven (27) Paid Vacation Days by
    Seventh Year
    • Excellent Health Insurance
    • Retirement Benefits
    • Limited Evening & Weekend Assignments
    • Deferred Compensation Option
    • Location Pay Differential for New York City -
    Metropolitan Area is $3,697
  • tateinbktateinbk
    Do you know if there are study materials or somewhere that says what are the basics of the test subjects?
  • homeownerhomeowner
    http://www.courts.state.ny.us/careers/cot/

    I think that there are some commercial study guides that you can pick up at B&N or on Amazon.
  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    As I live and breathe, I walked by the St. Teresa complex today and WORK WAS BEING DONE! I didn't get a chance to take any pictures, but there is a lot of activity going on on the Sterling Place side of the complex.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Yes, scaffolding has been put up around the building. They appear to be doing concrete pointing (ie waterproofing) and getting ready to put the new windows in.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    image
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited September 2014
    Work will continue until the Winter of 2015. They are going to connect the buildings with a glass hallway.

    http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2014/09/rendering-posted-for-school-renovation-in-crown-heights/#comments

    The amount of time this is taking is the difference between a gov project and a for profit one.....
  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    Do they mean January/February 2015 or December 2015? I wonder...
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    I just hope they complete it before 10 years goes by.

    Funding for this project was allotted back in 2006: http://image.iarchives.nysed.gov/images/images/80824.pdf

  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited May 2015
    Meanwhile, the old academy is still in use and graduated a class this week.

    Once it opens, I suspect the attendees of the new academy on Classon will be very similar:

    http://www.nysscoa.org/congratulations-class-of-may-26-2015/

    https://www.nycourts.gov/careers/cot/academy_graduationphotos.shtml
  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    Hey whynot...any updates on how the construction is progressing? 
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited May 2015
    Construction is still apparent when I walk by, and it appears pretty close to completion.

    However, this is a state project and I have no idea how long they will take to actually give the contractors their final payments and put the building into use.

    I imagine politicians will be present for the opening when it finally occurs.

  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    I bet. I am actually a little excited for the local business boost this is going to bring. A lot of court officers will head to The Local for ice cream...
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Zaaz pizza and Forte Cafe should also get a bump.

    ....young, healthy people without a kitchen.
  • goldemi1goldemi1
    edited May 2015
    I hope it makes all the surrounding area safer if people know there are officers everywhere. But I doubt it.  Criminals during a moment of passion aren't very smart.
  • eastbloceastbloc
    The surrounding area is fine already.  And I wouldn't expect criminals to be deterred by court officers any more than I would expect court officers to intervene in a street crime.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    This thing does not appear as if it will be ready for a class in the fall.
  • goldemi1goldemi1
    how many years late is it already?   wonder what the delay has been.  hopefully though it'll bring like to Zaaz Pizza which is empty every time i walk by.  They seem desperate.  We keep meaning to go there or order delivery since it looks and sounds good, and the new place opening up near Brooklyn Bell might benefit too.  Too bad The Classon never took off.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    I don't what the delay is, but the buildings appear to still have temporary windows in place and/or plywood.

    It would not surprise me if the contractors stop work on this project everytime they get a more profitable job, and the state (ie Dormatory Authority) has no method to get this project completed.

  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited October 2015
    Perhaps needless to say, we are now in the Fall of 2015.

    What some may not realize is that this project is now more than 10 years in the making. In 2006, it had already made through the State Senate:

    "The project has been winding its way to fruition through state government for five years. In 2006, this proposal was passed by the New York State Senate and approved by former Gov. George Pataki. His successor, Gov. Eliot Spitzer, then earmarked about $30 million to make the project a reality."

    http://50.56.218.160/archive/category.php?category_id=4&id=46565

    ....it took years for the project to make it that far.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited March 2016

    This week, one of my fellow subway passengers had a "Court Officers Academy" dufflebag, a shaved head, and was about 33 years old.   

    I asked him if he was a student at the existing Manhattan "campus" and he confirmed same.

    He will graduate in May.

    ...and stated he heard that the Court Officers Academy would move to Crown Heights for the class that begins in Jan 2017, and graduates in May 2017.

  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    Exciting. Great business for the stores around the academy. Lots of people who will need lunches.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    This site continues to be one of the sites I believe will make a large impart on western Crown Heights:  http://www.brooklynian.com/discussion/47007/the-big-18-developments-the-whynot-31-wont-stop-talking-about?new=1
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Every time I pass this project, I can't help but think to myself how slowly it is being completed in comparison to local projects that have a built in profit incentive. 
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited August 2016
    At this point, I would be impressed if all of the facade pointing was done by Nov 1. They might be able to have a class here in the Fall of 2017. image
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    image
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    image
  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    OMG. Is that a picture of the netting coming down?
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited August 2016
    yup.   They appear to have finished the pointing work on the exterior of the auditorium, but the interior remains a hollow shell.

    And, the netting around the other buildings is still up. 
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Today, a court officer is in the press:

  • homeownerhomeowner
    Okay so this dodo, pulled a gun on a guy armed with a weapon in a security guard uniform and asked for his gun and money? This is simply a Darwin Award come to life.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Would it be wrong to wonder if the Dormatory Authority is equally competent?

    They have not completed this project despite having over 10 years on the job.

    Maybe one guy choose to be a mugger, and his twin brother went to work for the Dormatory Authority?
  • homeownerhomeowner
    Welcome to low bidder hell. I'll give a ridiculous low-ball bid to get the work, then drag through the project, make significant errors that require change orders, pull my crew to work on higher-paying private jobs that actually have performance goals (and penalties) and stretch a twenty-four month project out to five years. At the end, I've made as much as if I would have put a realistic bid in, and as a contractor that has "successfully" completed a govt' project, I get to continue as a preferred contractor, or are part of govt call-in contract lists. 
    Ain't democracy grand???
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    I prefer the bribe system.
  • crownheightstercrownheightster
    When will this cruel building be complete? ARGH ARGH ARGH
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    I wonder how much the Court Officers have had to spend at their "temporary" downstate academy as a result of the delays.

    Lodging at hotels, meals, etc.

    Will the commanding officer retire before their dream of a new academy is realized?
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    The site has now been under New York State's control for in excess of a decade.

    However, NYS has yet to receive any benefit.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited April 2017
    Windows now in and facade exposed on main building.

  • whynot_31whynot_31
    image
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    They are only now installing the interior finishing.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    I believe the walls are all closed, and interior fixtures are going in. We might get a few politicians congratulating themselves and the officers on their new academy soon.
  • stjohnsplstjohnspl
    Still seems like they have to finish up the glass walkway that carries the utilities between the buildings.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    edited September 2017
    The last graduation of Court Officers occurred on June 20th, and was composed of 117 members. The actual ceremony was held in Albany. https://www.nysscoa.org/class-of-june-20-2017/
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    The exterior scaffolding (sidewalk bridge) was recently removed. However, exterior construction still seems to be happening in the courtyard.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    Interior FURNISHINGS are now going in. So, I expect politicians to congratulate themselves on their fine, efficient accomplishment this spring.
  • kahvikahvi
    Who should I speak to about this project, our community board? I’ve lived across from this project for over a decade and we are at our wits end with the noise, my partner works from home. I can’t believe how much money (OUR tax money) has been poured into this clown car of a company dragging out construction for years and there has been no consequences.
  • whynot_31whynot_31
    When the politicians arrive to congratulate themselves and cut the ribbon, I suppose you could yell at them.
This discussion has been closed.