LaBella Associates

06/17/2026

Brownfields don’t have to be barriers.

Join us next week at the 2026 Revitalize & Innovate Symposium, co-hosted by USC Builds and WinnDevelopment (part of WinnCompanies) Rochester, NY, where members of LaBella’s environmental team will share insights on brownfield redevelopment during a panel discussion.

📅 Thursday, June 25 | 3:15 PM
“Brownfields Without Fear: From Mega-Sites to Main Streets”

LaBella’s Director of Environmental Jennifer Gillen, PG, will moderate the discussion, with Environmental Department Lead Daniel Noll, PE, serving as a panelist.

Drawing on project experience in Ithaca (SouthWorks) and Rochester (Beechwood), panelists will explore practical approaches for understanding, managing, and leveraging environmental constraints to support successful brownfield redevelopment strategies.

Learn more about the symposium here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-revitalize-innovate-symposium-june-24-25-tickets-1984633489191

06/16/2026

LaBella’s Sustainability Manager Daniel Brooks, AHMM®, will be speaking next week at the 2026 Annual Conference hosted by the APWA, South Carolina Chapter in Summerville, SC.

On Thursday, June 25, at 9:10 a.m., Daniel will present “Lithium Battery Safety,” which will cover:

🔋 Basic battery chemistries, types, and how they differ
🔋 Key battery hazards, including short-circuiting and thermal runaway
🔋 Signs associated with damaged, defective, or recalled (DDR) batteries
🔋 Training requirements, emergency response, and first aid procedures necessary to ensure personnel safety in the event of a release, fire, or exposure

Learn more about the conference here: https://scltap.org/sc-apwa-annual-conference/

06/16/2026

At LaBella, we steward resources to ensure the greatest impact on people’s lives.

The people this project will touch have made their own mark on history, and we are truly honored to contribute to a project that will improve their lives.

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC) and the Houston Veterans Health Care System recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) for veterans in Rosenberg, Texas.

We are proud to provide architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture services on the project, helping to enhance the healthcare experience for our veterans.

Read the full announcement from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Affairs here: https://www.va.gov/houston-health-care/stories/a-promise-kept-medvamc-breaks-ground-on-new-clinic-for-fort-bend-county-veterans/

06/15/2026

The renovated Kinloch Park in Troy, NY, is officially open! 🎉 Earlier this month, city officials and community members gathered to celebrate the completion of major upgrades to this Eastside neighborhood park.

Located in a lowland drainage area, the park presented unique site challenges. Completed in two phases, the project transformed outdated and inaccessible facilities into a more welcoming, functional, and resilient community space.

LaBella provided design, bid, and construction phase services for improvements that included a new playground and dog park, basketball court rehabilitation, reconstructed accessible parking, new walking paths, drainage enhancements, and updated landscaping, fencing, and site furnishings.

Troy has reopened Kinloch Park with upgrades that add new places to play and spend time outdoors. The city re-paved the basketball court, added picnic tables, improved landscaping, installed a new drainage system, and also added an accessible playground.

STORY: https://wnyt.com/capital-region-news/troys-kinloch-park-reopens-with-new-basketball-court-and-accessible-playground/

06/12/2026

A landmark study of the Empire State Trail was unveiled this week in Albany, New York!

LaBella joined Parks & Trails New York (PTNY) and project partners in Albany, New York, for a press conference unveiling the findings from a major economic impact study of the Empire State Trail, the longest multi-use trail system in the United States.

At 750 miles in length, the Empire State Trail connects communities across New York State and generates significant economic, health, and environmental benefits.

Led by LaBella and the Institute for Transportation Research and Education - ITRE, with support from state agency partners, the comprehensive economic impact study culminated in a report that quantifies the trail’s economic impact across sectors, including tourism, recreation, transportation, and small business development.

The report equips PTNY, state agencies, and local communities with clear, data-driven insights to support funding, advocacy, and future investment in the Empire State Trail.

Learn more about the project on our website: https://labellapc.com/projects/empire-state-trail-economic-impact-study/

Photo Credit: Parks & Trails New York

06/11/2026

Please join us in congratulating Jaimie Evans, PE, on earning her Professional Engineer (PE) license! 🎉

Jaimie is a civil engineer in our Elmira, New York, office with seven years of experience supporting land development projects across the K-12, higher education, and renewable energy markets.

Her dedication to clients, commitment to professional growth, and passion for engineering have made her a valued member of our team. Click here to learn more about Jaimie on our website: https://labellapc.com/news/labella-congratulates-our-newest-professional-engineer-jaimie-evans-pe/

06/10/2026

In June 2026, the New York State Legislature amended its electric school bus mandate, providing schools with additional time to plan and implement fleet electrification efforts.

Updated Timeline:
🚌 2032 – Deadline to purchase electric school buses (previously 2027)
🚌 2037 – Deadline to end diesel school bus purchases (previously 2032)
🚌 2040 – Deadline for all school bus fleets to be fully electric (previously 2035)

While the deadlines have shifted, the transition to zero-emission transportation remains a statewide priority. Now is the time for districts to evaluate infrastructure needs, funding opportunities, and long-term implementation strategies.

With expertise in renewable energy, energy efficiency, K-12 facilities, and sustainable design, LaBella helps school districts navigate every stage of fleet electrification—from planning and feasibility studies to charging infrastructure, design, and construction.

Learn more about the updated mandate and how to get started: https://labellapc.com/k-12-electric-buses/

06/09/2026

Please join us in congratulating Bradley Rush, PLA, on becoming a professional landscape architect! 🌿

Since joining LaBella’s Rochester office, Brad has contributed to projects across the East Coast, applying his expertise in landscape design, planning, community engagement, visual simulations, and 3D graphics to deliver successful outcomes for our clients.

Brad’s dedication to his profession and commitment to excellence continue to make a positive impact on our clients, projects, and team!

Click here to learn more about Brad on our website: https://labellapc.com/news/labella-congratulates-our-newest-professional-landscape-architect-bradley-rush-pla/

06/09/2026

Several members of LaBella’s brownfield and energy teams will be sharing their expertise at the Northeast Sustainable Communities Workshop, hosted by BCONE - Brownfield Coalition of the Northeast in Springfield, MA.

📅 Tuesday, June 16

• 11:00 a.m. | Brownfield Rules in Motion: What’s Next for New York Projects | Arlette St. Romain, Eastern NY Program Manager (Panelist)

• 2:45 p.m. | Changing the Narrative: From NIMBY to YIMBY in Energy Storage | Bernardo Escudero, PMP, Vice President of Energy Services (Moderator)

• 3:45 p.m. | Managing PFAS Risks: Legal and Regulatory Perspectives | Dawn Crowell, MELP, Environmental Manager—Brownfields (Panelist)

Learn more about the workshop here: https://nscwonline.com/join-us-for-nscw/