Construction work began in earnest last week at the Norwich High School campus, where excavators began work on the district’s athletic fields.

Brown Avenue Housing project:
• Construction on the Brown Avenue Housing Project is expected to begin in early fall. Six months ago, the Norwich Housing Authority received start-up funding from the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation in the amount of $391,900. According to Judy Wingate-Wade, executive director of the Norwich Housing Authority, the project was delayed from starting due to New York State Environmental regulations and the State Historic Preservation Office; however, now with both offices satisfied, the Brown Ave. project has gone to bid. The housing authority is reluctant to estimate a date when the project will be completed, but said the construction should go quickly because of the similar form of the houses and the fact that they will be built on slabs.

Chenango County Office Building:
• County-owned parking lots adjacent to the Chenango County Office Building in the City of Norwich are scheduled to be repaired this summer at an estimated cost of $40,000.
• The Court Street parking lot and area behind the office building off of Academy Street will be repaved. The parking lot on Front Street will be sealed. All catch basins will be adjusted, followed by striping.
• Bids for the work are being prepared. Half of the project’s cost will come from surplus.

Coffee Connection:
• The former South Broad Street location has been renovated for Solstice, an organic foods store that previously operated on Mechanic Street in the City of Norwich. The store should open this week.
• Geri Barnes, owner/manager of The Coffee Connection, plans to open a tapas and wine bar, also this week, in the building next door. The new area will offer 30 percent more space and allow for a small stage.

Guernsey Memorial Library:
• This $760,000 capital improvement to the library in the City of Norwich began May 11 and has an ending date of Sept. 1.
• Contractors finished replacing the 38-year-old facility’s roof last week and will are scheduled to complete the duct work for recently installed boilers this week.
• An air handling unit is due to be delivered this week as well, followed by air conditioning units in mid July. James L. Lewis and Bagnall Electric are the project’s contractors.
• “We are looking forward to having air conditioning installed by end of July, and the whole new system running by Aug. 1,” Librarian Melanie Battoe said.
• Library patrons have not been displaced during construction.

Sherburne Sports:
• Owner/manager Burt Mattot Jr. moved his store from the south plaza in the Village of Sherburne to his new location at 84 N. Main St. earlier this year.
• His new, 1,600 square feet store showcases parts and accessories for motorcycles, snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and boats.
• Building renovations included a new double door entrance and fire walls. New shelves and counters are planned for the interior.