1982Pleasantville, New YorkEducation

Pace University Library — later Edward & Doris Mortola Library

Joseph worked on a library whose structure was redesigned from steel to post-tensioned concrete to cut the construction bid dramatically.

From Rita’s list

No building photograph is currently assigned.

01The story

Why this project matters

Project identity: Verified
Kelly connection: Family source
Masonry scope: Strong

Rita’s list

Rita Bartscherer’s handwritten entry: Pace University Library — 1982

Transcription: Pace University Library — 1982

Recorded by Rita Bartscherer · Bartscherer family record

Entry

KM-160

Sheet

2 of two

As written

“Pace University Library — 1982”

The structural case study reports a low bid of $950,000 for the original steel design and $700,000 after redesign to post-tensioned concrete — roughly a 26% savings.

Why it matters

It connects Joseph's masonry/construction world to a specific engineering and value-engineering decision, while also capturing Pleasantville's transformation from rural campus to mature university.

02What Kelly did

What Kelly did here

Kelly connection

Family source

Scope confidence

Strong

Likely exterior brick/block enclosure plus CMU service/fire walls around a post-tensioned concrete structural frame. Because the structural system is now known to be cast/post-tensioned concrete rather than steel, any Kelly package should be sought in enclosure, backup, partitions, shafts and related masonry—not structural framing.

This scope is recorded as strong, not documented. It is a disciplined reading of the building and the trade practice of the period, not a contract-level record of Kelly’s work.

03Who built it