New York City's Bowery Bay facility in Astoria, Queens -- just off the shore of Manhattan -- is a central component of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) wastewater treatment operations. Constructed in the 1930s, the Bowery Bay facility processes millions of gallons of sewage each day, 365 days a year. Graciano Corporation was engaged on a major upgrade program with a total project budget of approximately $150 million, performing both the new construction and the masonry restoration portions of the work.
Graciano's scope covered restoration and repair of existing masonry, installation of new masonry on newly constructed structures, extensive parapet reconstruction, replacement of multi-story windows, installation of pre-cast lintels, and replacement of glazed tile lining on the interiors of the landmark 1930s structures. Work was executed to match bond patterns, colors, and details of the surrounding historic buildings.
Scope of Work
Services Performed
- Restoration and repair of existing masonry on 1930s-era structures
- New masonry construction on two electrical substation housings and a froth-control building
- Extensive reconstruction of parapets
- Resetting of coping materials
- Replacement of multi-story windows
- Installation of pre-cast lintels
- Replacement of glazed tiles lining building interiors
- Matching bond patterns and colors to existing historic masonry
- Shotcrete and structural repairs
- Traffic coatings and sealing
New Construction
The facility upgrade required new structures to house expanded equipment: housings for two electrical substations and a new froth-control building. Graciano performed all new masonry construction for these additions. To ensure compatibility with the 1930s-era main structures, new masonry was laid in matching bond patterns and executed in brick selected to match the color and texture of the original. The result reads as consistent with the historic plant rather than as a later intrusion.
Parapet Reconstruction and Window Replacement
Like the Wards Island Grit Chambers built in the same era, the Bowery Bay structures had experienced decades of parapet deterioration. Graciano performed extensive reconstruction: dismantling failed parapet sections, rebuilding them in kind brick, resetting coping units with appropriate flashing and sealant, and ensuring that the restored parapets are watertight and structurally sound. Multi-story windows in the landmark facades were replaced with units maintaining the visual character of the originals while meeting the performance requirements of an active industrial facility.
Interior Glazed Tile Replacement
The 1930s wastewater treatment structures at Bowery Bay featured glazed tile linings on interior wall surfaces -- a common treatment in industrial buildings of the period that provides a cleanable, moisture-resistant surface. Graciano replaced deteriorated glazed tile throughout the applicable structures, sourcing units matched to the original in color and dimension, and installing them to the manufacturer's requirements for a durable, waterproof interior finish.
About Graciano Corporation
Founded in 1916, Graciano Corporation is one of the oldest and most experienced masonry and concrete restoration firms in the United States. With offices in Pittsburgh, PA, New York, NY, and Florida, Graciano has served the NYC DEP, transit authorities, and municipal owners for generations. The company is a WBENC-certified Woman Business Enterprise performing approximately 90% of all work in-house with its own skilled journeymen.