Moss Wraps Renovation Work on Florida Academy

By Eric Althoff

HUDSON, Fla.—Construction firm Moss has completed its work renovating the Hudson Primary Academy in Hudson, Florida, which is located about an hour north of Tampa. The school, which used to be called Northwest Elementary School, was in need of an upgrade considering that it was first built in 1973.

The $15.4 million project was needed to bring the school up to ADA code and other safety standards, as well as to take care of repairs that have piled up over the nearly 50 years the school has stood.

Moss’s work entailed remodeling 80,000 square feet of educational space. Part of the modernizing included allowing for more natural lighting—rather ample in the Sunshine State—to penetrate the school’s interior on a consistent basis. The school’s technology was upgraded, and updates were also made to the school’s lighting, electrical and fire sprinkler systems. In addition, new flooring and wall finishes were added to the interior, and doors and cabinets were also replaced as part of the school’s internal facelift.

Moss worked on the school renovation with designer Hoffman Architects.

“We’re thrilled and humbled the District School Board of Pasco County chose Moss to manage and complete the renovations to Hudson Primary Academy,” commented Toby Manulak, Mid-Florida vice president for Moss Construction. “We take great satisfaction in helping the school district provide students with modern facilities that will provide students with an optimal environment for learning.”

Manulak added that one of the primary hurdles Moss faced during the renovation was the ongoing difficulties posed by the covid-19 pandemic.

“In fact, the procurement process took place in early 2020, when everything was under lockdown, and it was Moss’s first ever virtual pitch,” Manulak said. “COVID also presented a major challenge during construction in that we had to deal with continuous material shortages, fabrication delays, shipping delays and resequencing of the schedule throughout the course of the project. Even with those additional challenges, our team opened the school on time.”

Other educational construction projects in Florida for Moss include the Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine in Clearwater. Other school jobs tackled by Moss include the Texas A&M Maritime Academy Residence Hall.

Moss, which is a privately held firm, has its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with several satellite offices around the country.