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Dobbs Ferry Considers $1.8 Million Cafeteria

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – The Dobbs Ferry School District will be considering three options to renovate the high school cafeteria, ranging from just under $600,000 all the way up to $1.8 million. 

“I know it’s a big ticket item, but I think it will have a big ticket payoff,” said Dobbs Ferry Superintendent Lisa Brady.

The three designs discussed for the renovation consist of one option that costs $1,823,266, option two is $891,040 and option three is $597,564.

Brady said the project was originally brought up because the cafeteria needs a new cooking area regardless, mainly for health and safety concerns.

“If you were sitting here and there was a fire you wouldn’t even know,” Brady said. “It’s very closed and confined. From a safety perspective this part needs to go.”

The cooking area is currently in a small cramped area that cannot be seen from the dining area, which Brady said poses issues that need to be corrected.

“I want to see where my food is cooked,” Brady said. “I just want to have access to that vision.”

The project will be discussed and voted on by the board at its April 19 meeting to put it up for a public vote.

If approved this would be a 2013 summer project that could be completed almost entirely over the summer break with a couple weeks before and after to finish it.

Architects of the project from KG&D said the cafeteria could be used as a public meeting space to hold village hearings or other general meetings rather than village hall or the community center. 

A slideshow presented by the architects said the goals of the overhaul would be to maximize space in the kitchen, clear circulation and appropriate equipment. Other goals included creating a student commons and flexible student seating such as high top counters that arc around the cafeteria.

“We’re not going to spend a penny more than it takes to do the job,” said Eric Wilson of KG&D.

Dobbs Ferry resident Paddy Steinschneider was at the recent board of education meeting to voice his opinion on the renovation.

“We’re talking about the transition from something being an old school cafeteria to a student center,” Steinschneider said. “For us to be holding on to money that we might need when we have a project we need now, I don’t think that’s what the public is looking for.”

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