SHARON, Pa. – As construction in the region regained its momentum in mid-2020, demand for services steadily grew at HHSDR Architects/Engineers, says Frank Gargiulo, planner.
Projects concluding in January include renovations at the Northwestern Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy in Erie, a $10 million renovation. Projects to be bid in 2021 include school renovation projects in Erie County that total more than $74 million in construction value.
“One of our newer clients is building its own momentum with a project in downtown Sharon,” Gargiulo says. The Area Community Theatre of Sharpsville retained HHSDR in 2019 to perform a feasibility study of the former Sacred Heart Church in Sharon, he explains. ACTS intends to purchase the building and convert it into a regional performing arts center.
HHSDR surveyed building conditions and prepared a conceptual design for stage extension and seating, lighting, sound and stage rigging as well as an acoustical analysis. The firm also assisted with budgeting for grant applications.
HHSDR is proceeding with final design and technical specifications, which ACTS will use for bidding and construction, Gargiulo says.