Number 6 School progresses into Phase II

What Hebrew Academy of Long Beach (HALB) officials call Phase II of renovations in the former Number Six School are underway as the 80,170-square-foot building in Woodmere has been cleared of asbestos, piping, the old boilers and other debris.

Richard Hagler, HALB’s executive director, along with Associate Administrator Chaim Hollander and Manhattan-based Ray Builders Project Manager Andrew Feigenbaum, gave the Herald a tour of the building on Feb. 11. “There was much that warped over time,” said Hollander, referring to the building being closed since March 2009 and then suffering damage due to flooding after Hurricane Sandy.

In September, the Herald toured the school as demolition and mold remediation took place (Phase I), and debris filled several large dumpsters. With all the Town of Hempstead approvals in place since early January, the building is ready for the next step as all of the new equipment ranging from heating and ventilation to chairs for the 500-seat auditorium has been ordered, Hagler said. “Everything will be all new and state-of-the art,” he said.

HALB purchased the Lawrence district school last year for $8.5 million after a 2014 public referendum permitted the district to sell the 6.67-acre property. Another $2.7 million will be held as a guarantee that Lawrence will realize more than $565,000 in annual savings in transportation costs. About 90 percent of the Long Beach K-8 yeshiva’s students live in the Five Towns.

Plans call for the building to have Wi-Fi, the existing wall tile to be replaced, classrooms to be created, a cafeteria and kitchen, main office space, installation of an elevator, two large heated swimming pools and all needed outlets for electronic devices. The gymnasium floor is in good shape, Hagler said, but all new bleachers and windows will be installed. More parking spaces will be added to accommodate HALB’s faculty. Four new basketball courts will be built; there will three baseball fields, along with the existing playground. The outside play areas remain open to the community, Hagler said.