CABVI renovating its Utica HQ from the roof down to make workers, building more efficient

The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired headquarters on Kent Street in Utica is undergoing a $24.5 million renovation to help both operational and energy efficiency.

There’s even a little something in the project to help guide dog efficiency.

“The re-imagining of our Kent Street home will complete our 10-year board-directed strategic plan,” CEO Ed Welsh said in a statement. “Way back in 1979 the acquisition of 507 Kent St launched 46 years of continued growth in CABVI’s mission to assist people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve their highest levels of independence.

“As we approach our 100th anniversary, the completion of this project will serve as a launch pad for the next 100 years of CABVI’s mission.”

During a ceremonial groundbreaking on Friday, Chairman of the Board of Directors George Nehme and past Chairman Dr. Thomas Webb, who is currently chairman of the building committee, handed the building’s keys to Greg Benincasa, president of HR Beebe Construction, the contractors for the project.

The project timeline calls for completion in the spring of 2026.

CABVI, a 95-year-old nonprofit, provides services and employment opportunities to Central New York residents who are blind or visually impaired. It employs 60 people with visual impairments in its manufacturing and business services departments at its headquarters.

Here are the major improvements to be included in the renovation:

• New machinery will boost production efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

• The more-than-100-year-old manufacturing facility will get updated, creating a better work environment for employees.

• A new setup will help the manufacturing process for products such as examination gloves and other supplies used by the Transportation Security Administration and other federal agencies.

• Improvements will make the call center’s management of inboun and outbound calls more efficient.

• The roof will get insulation, a reflective white membrane and more than 350 solar panels, saving energy and decreasing the building’s carbon footprint.

• The roof will also include green space, giving employees with guide dogs an accessible outdoor area. There’s the guide dog efficiency improvement.

• New energy-efficient windows and heating, LED lighting and motion sensor will save energy.

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The project received a $1.6 million capital grant from Empire State Development because of its sustainability.

“New York State is committed to a sustainable future and this project helps to further the state’s green energy goals,” said Empire State Development CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight in a statement, “while supporting a more inclusive workforce and greater economic opportunity.”

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired renovations

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