Jamaica Armory

Property History

The Jamaica Readiness Center is an armory located at the corner of 168th Street and 93rd Avenue in Queens, New York. Planning for the initial construction of the Jamaica Armory began in 1928 when the Armory Board went looking for a plot of land to serve as a new home for the New York National Guard’s 104th Artillery Regiment. The Art Deco-style Amory cost $1.5 million to build and was completed in 1936. Architect Charles B. Meyers, who specialized in designing schools, hospitals and public buildings, designed the armory.

Currently, the Jamaica Armory is a critical training location and home for the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion of the 258th Field Artillery and the 442nd Military Police Co., and has always served as a key support location when the National Guard assists New York City in emergency response.

$91 million in federal funding was recently secured for a massive expansion and renovation at the Jamaica Armory which will provide essential new infrastructure, replace outdated mechanical systems, eliminate current environmental/safety hazards, and improve the New York National Guard’s long term readiness and recruitment capabilities.

Project Scope

Grand Light was commissioned by the Jamaica Armory to restore a number of luminaires and clocks. The light fixture restoration encompassed 8 wall sconces, 2 ceiling fixtures, and 7 chandeliers. Three different types of historic Telechron clocks, and a total quantity of 4, were also refurbished in this extensive project. In addition to restoring these pieces, Grand Light fabricated an additional replication chandelier based on the existing historical fixtures.

Each of the historic light fixtures in this project were meticulously dismantled and carefully cleaned to preserve the original oil rubbed bronze finish. Any missing or damaged components were replicated and replaced, and all fixtures were rewired for modern safety and functionality. In the end, the historic light fixtures were glowing with improved lighting functionality and enhanced historical ambiance.

Three different types of Telechron clocks were restored for this job, most notably a historic red clock spanning over 4 feet in diameter. The smaller clock types were carefully cleaned to revive their original finishes and had new glass face panels added. Additionally, new Telechron B-3 motors were rebuilt and replaced in these clocks to restore them to their original functionality. The larger 4 foot clock had its body disassembled and had it’s existing finish removed before having a new red paint finish applied to match its original look. The original historic clock face was damaged, so a brand new replica face was fabricated and replaced in the clock. Once the work was complete, the clock was rejuvenated and eye-catching with pristine components and color.

Services Performed

On-Site Disassembly, Assembly, & Testing

Our restoration artisans are trained to safely remove and disassemble fixtures and components, labeling and photographing fixture components in sequence of its removal and as a section. Work areas are left in the same condition it was found prior to leaving the site.

For documentation our technicians inspect and note any electrical deficiencies on every lighting fixture prior to any electrical component replacement and rewiring, to ensure the fixtures can be wired in accordance with UL listed products, UL standard 1598 and hi-pot tested, with UL label (LED retrofit kits utilize manufacturers listing).

On-Site Packing, Crating, & Transportation

Grand Light frequently transports lighting fixtures using our own box trucks, flatbeds, and custom-built trailers that are designed specifically for safe transport. Our team packs all components with custom-built crates catered to each fixture in our factory. Each crate is packed and properly labeled with all necessary information per fixture type, including loose components, damages/deficiencies, and proper component placement/alignment.

Lighting Design & Engineering

Our process begins with reviewing existing documentation including sketches, architectural drawings, historical photographs, and an on-site inspection to gather the full scope of the project requirements. From there, Grand Light will develop a detailed proposal. As required Grand Light conducts research to assure the historical accuracy of all historic projects.

The creation of Custom Drawings, Modeling, Simulation, and Rendering is an important part of the process when it comes to the production of custom lighting. Whether it be a replication or modification of an existing lighting fixture, the client’s design, or a creation by Grand Light’s engineering team, our designs will serve as the blue print for our production process.

Our designs and subsequent mock-ups address the smallest of detail, allowing our clients to fully visualize the fixture before it goes into production, which reduces the possibility of error, and allows Grand Light to fulfill its commitment of delivering high quality lighting fixtures on schedule.

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Material Fabrication

Grand Light has created custom lighting fixtures of every style and for every application. Our team of professional metal workers excel in Forming, Forging, Spinning, Stamping, and Hydroforming various materials such as Steel, Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Brass, Bronze, and Copper.

Grand Light’s production process in machining and manufacturing custom lighting fixtures and components in both large and small quantities; from minor components to the complete fabrication of full sized lanterns or other custom lighting fixtures, our artisans can accommodate any client specification or deadline.

With our automated lathes, stamping, and welding equipment aid in our ability to craft metal components to project specification with unparalleled design, quality, and durability. Our custom lighting team stands confidently behind their work with years of experience and dedication to quality craftsmanship.

Glass & Acrylic Cleaning & Fabrication

Grand Light’s Crystal, Glass, & Acrylic Studio specializes in the cleaning, repair, fitting, custom fabrication, replacement and replication of crystal, glass, and acrylic components of varying types, sizes, and color.

Our extensive cleaning solutions include hand cleaning, abrasive, micro-abrasive, and ultrasonic cleaning technology. Our artisans utilize a proprietary cleaning solution before each component is rinsed and hand polished. We have extensive experience pinning and stringing crystal components on historic and custom lighting fixtures. Utilizing time proven techniques, our artisans install pinning wire, clips, and connecting rings on crystal components in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and designs.

Our specialists will identify and research any missing crystal or glass component on a historic lighting fixture and offer up a similar or exact grade, size, tint, color, and shape to maintain a fixtures historical integrity.

Grand Light offers a wide variety of custom, high quality architectural glass and acrylic diffusers, available in an array of styles, types, and sizes. Our high quality architectural diffusers are available by custom order and offer unique, one-of-a-kind pieces or replications of an existing design.

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Cleaning Systems

Grand Light specializes in commercial luminaire cleaning services, including the utilization of state-of-the-art Ultrasonic, Micro-Abrasive, and Hydrosonic Molecular Impact System (HSMI) Cleaning Technologies. Using our engineered cleaning systems, our artisans are able to eliminate decades of accumulated debris from any lighting fixture or surface.

Grand Light’s Industrial Ultrasonic Cleaning Tanks provide high-frequency sound waves transmitted through liquid to scrub clean the surface of immersed parts. The high-frequency sound waves, typically 40 kHz, agitate the liquid solution of water or solvent, and cause the cavitation of solution molecules.

Our Micro-Abrasive process utilizes fine abrasive media to generate an accurate, precise, and controllable abrasive jet to target and remove material (on the micron level). Our system is so precise it can remove ink from a business card without damaging the card’s surface.

HSMI is Grand Light’s unique, proprietary system includes powerful continuous super high steam production up to 369 degrees Fahrenheit with an integrated wet vacuum system insuring residual moisture and debris extraction. Purified dry vapor steam and integrated vacuum system guarantees spot free crystals and fixture frames.

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Finish Application & Top Coatings

As a part of the restoration process, our artisans explore the intricate details of preserving the historical integrity of lighting fixtures including color matching and sheen of the original finish. Custom lighting finishes are available in custom painted colors, sheen, and textures as well as custom patina colors on bronze, copper, and brass components.

Our artisans can match any color or finish utilizing a variety of processes involving Powder Coat, Spray, Hot or Cold Patina Custom Recipes and Color Blending an existing finish.

Grand Light exercises meticulous techniques that are unparalleled in the application of Protective Top Coatings including binders, rust, and UV resistant protective metal oils, waxes, and lacquers with various customized sheens and tints.

NRTL Testing & Listing

Utilizing only UL listed products, Grand Light’s OSHA NRTL Certified Manufacturer’s Testing and Listing Laboratory strives to ensure only the highest quality of standards go into finalizing each lighting fixture; from the rewiring of luminaires, to the installation of modern lamp technology, and the custom conversion of gas powered fixtures to electric.

Grand Light’s technicians inspect and document any electrical deficiencies on every lighting fixture prior to any electrical component replacement and rewiring. We also offer comprehensive retrofit kits for upgrading existing historic luminaire to take full advantage of modern induction lamping technology. Grand Light’s practice is to perform multiple UL tests on all electrical components and systems to ensure compliance with UL Standards for luminaires.