March 30, 2022

Project to Rejuvenate Steps, Handrails, and Lighting at Historic 1913 Courthouse

NEW YORK – NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley today announced the beginning of a $5,177,000 project to restore the historic front stairs, handrails, lighting, and the façade of the Staten Island Supreme Court building located at 18 Richmond Terrace. The project, which is funded by DCAS and managed by DDC, begins in early April and is projected to be completed in fall of next year.

The French Renaissance style, temple-fronted limestone courthouse, built in 1913, sits atop an impressive limestone podium fronting Richmond Terrace and New York Harbor and is a designated New York City landmark. The front limestone steps are showing signs of subsiding and substantially weathered. Beneath the steps, concrete beams are in need of repair.

The project includes the replacement of the building’s existing limestone steps and landings with more durable granite stairs with bluestone landing pavers. The concrete adjacent to the steps will be replaced and the existing structural support beneath the stairs will be rebuilt with new reinforced concrete columns and beams. New ornamental bronze handrails intended to look like the building’s original handrails as seen in historic drawings will be installed.

The project will also replace the coping stone and iron picket fence above a retaining wall located along Schuyler Street. Four new exterior lights designed to match the exiting historic fixtures and brackets will be installed along the building portico. A new sidewalk and curbs will complete the job along Richmond Terrace.

“The Staten Island Supreme Court building is not only a vital public facility, but also a point of civic pride that should be preserved for future generations,” said DCAS Commissioner Dawn M. Pinnock. “I am proud of DCAS’s role managing this historic facility, and we are happy to invest in its future.”

“Courthouse steps have traditionally been an important public meeting spot and the City’s historically accurate restoration of the steps at the Staten Island Supreme Court building will once again make that possible,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “We look forward to completing the work next year.”

The contractor performing the work is XBR Inc., based in Astoria, Queens.

About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) provides effective shared services to support the operations of New York City government. Its commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides its work with City agencies on recruiting, hiring, and training employees; providing facilities management for 55 public buildings; acquiring, selling, and leasing city property; purchasing more than $1 billion in supplies and equipment each year; and implementing conservation and safety programs throughout the city's facilities and vehicle fleet. Learn more about DCAS by visiting  nyc.gov/dcas or by following us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction

The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $15.5 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.