The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) is responsible for designing and constructing New York City’s public schools. Established by the New York State Legislature in 1988 as a public-benefit corporation, SCA and its 13 departments manage the New York City Public Schools Capital Plan and oversee real estate, budgeting, scoping, and the design, construction, and renovation of projects across more than 1,400 school buildings in all five boroughs, half of which were built before 1949. Framing the role of school as “vital community landmarks… hubs of connection, safety, and growth,” according to its mission statement, SCA has delivered more than 333,000 new school seats citywide since its creation. 

Based in the authority’s Long Island City offices, SCA’s Department of Architecture & Engineering—which includes the In-House Design Studio, Design Consultant Management Studio, and Operations and Small Business Consulting Unit, co-hosts of the evening—develops scope, design, and construction documents for capital improvement projects and provides construction administration services.