EW Howell Construction Group completed an $18 million renovation project on the palm dome of the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory at The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) in the Bronx, which reopened to the public on Sept. 22. The restoration upgraded the infrastructure of the 118-year-old dome, home of the Haupt Conservatory’s Palms of the World Gallery, to ensure that the palms on display continue to thrive. The project also provided an opportunity for NYBG horticulture curators to redesign and replant the collection to highlight the history of tropical plant research at NYBG and the ecological and economic importance of the palm family.

EW Howell provided pre-construction and construction services for six new belvederes – or scenic overlooks – that are part of the new Governor Mario Cuomo Bridge’s (formerly the Tappan Zee Bridge) shared bike and pedestrian path. These resting points reflect the culture and history of the Lower Hudson Valley and provide a new connection for non-motorized transport in the region, offering an exciting recreational opportunity that doesn’t currently exist in Rockland or Westchester counties. EW Howell brought the six belvederes to reality through an extensive design-build process, which included the creation of custom fabricated illuminated canopies and benches. The belvederes each have a unique theme and name–Fish and Ships, Painter’s Point, River Crossing, Half Moon, Tides of Tarrytown and Palisades–illustrated by different design concepts, which required the construction of one-of-a-kind sculpted seating areas of stainless steel, glass, granite and wood.