CAYUGA LAKEHOUSE
The owners purchased a piece of lakefront property, next to a rock-lined, cascading stream
to build a home. Along with the property came a myriad of regulations that would impact
what could (and could not be) done on the property.
In 2022, the owners invited me to join a talented team of architects, landscape architects,
and local contractors assembled to bring their dream to life. My focus was navigating the
permitting requirements and utility extensions from multiple agencies including New York State
Electric and Gas, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the New
York State Office of General Services, the New York State Department of Transportation, the
US Army Corps of Engineers, and the Town of Ithaca.
Demolition permits, building permits, variances, stormwater permits, plumbing permits, dock
permits, and seawall permits were all required. I bet this project holds the record for most
permits obtained in a single bound. It’s now July of 2024 and the project is nearly complete.
There is a light at the end of the regulatory tunnel!
“Andy, both Judy and I want to recognize your extremely helpful and important contribution
to the building of our new lake house project. We are so thankful that you joined our team
early in the project because your professional ability and guidance throughout the complex
build were key to making it successful. Working with you for over two years, we saw you
manage a wide variety of challenges…unique permitting issues, difficult zoning and code
requirements, utility company issues, and more. In addition to your engineering skills, we
greatly appreciate that you took the initiative to keep us informed, meet with the team, and
keep the project on track for the best outcome. I think it’s a testament to you that the
contractors and tradespeople came to rely on you as well. Building this house from 1,200
miles away, with no experience at building a house, and having issues pop up that were
totally unexpected, we had so many concerns. At least once a week Judy and I would say to
each other, don’t worry, Andy will handle it. And then, we didn’t worry because you always
found good solutions and put our minds at ease. To summarize, Sciarabba Engineering was
critical to the entire project. Andy‘s excellent service and value were indispensable.”
Scott and Judy
RUOFF SOCCER FIELD
Steve Ruoff is an enthusiastic soccer player, promoter, and supporter. He is so
passionate about soccer that he purchased 37 acres of land in Lansing NY and built
a clubhouse and 2 full size grass soccer fields. Since 2015 local youth and adults alike
have benefitted from Steve’s generous philanthropy.
In 2021 he wanted to enhance the playing options and invited me to help him
obtain approvals for an outdoor turf field. By the end of 2022 Steve had his 60’ by
100’ field of dreams.
“I was impressed that Andy communicates well, pays attention to detail and the
budget, while also meeting deadlines. He is very knowledgeable, competent, and the
quality of his work is excellent. He is a skilled professional engineer. My project went
smoothly once I hired Andy. I look forward to working with him on future projects.”
Steve Ruoff
Cool Projects
“Andy’s creative engineering propelled the Sky Ride project beyond the highest level of
structural integrity into the realm of play and fun where the forces of imagination and
adventure inform the design. Creating Sky Ride presented all the usual engineering
challenges for a sculpture this size. With Andy’s open-minded approach and sensitivity to
both aesthetics and artistic intent the project achieved the highest level of integrity while
conveying a spirit of play and fun. Working with Andy is a constructive pleasure.”
Patricia Vader
SKY RIDE KINETIC SCULPTURE
In 2021 the City of Ithaca (with funding from the Community Arts Partnership, Bike Walk
Tompkins, the Park Foundation, and Visions Federal Credit Union) commissioned California artist
Patricia Vader (patriciavader.com) to create a kinetic sculpture at the Black Diamond
Trailhead in the City’s Cass Park.
The City’s vision was to embark on “a public art project that would communicate an inclusive
and exciting vision for the future of active transportation in Ithaca, as well as help further identify
this area of Cass Park as a hub of Ithaca cycling.” An art project? With bicycles? Could I help
on the project? Yes please!
Collaborating with Patricia on the west coast, and a prominent structural engineer, Peter
Novelli, in the Dominican Republic, I was challenged to detail the foundation and super
structure to support the Sky Ride sculpture complete with it’s moving parts. What a thrill and
what an honor for me to be part of this project. Me, an engineer that tore apart and (tried to)
rebuild many a two-wheeled monstrosity in his teen years.
In 2021 the City of Ithaca (with funding from
the Community Arts Partnership, Bike Walk
Tompkins, the Park Foundation, and Visions
Federal Credit Union) commissioned
California artist Patricia Vader
(patriciavader.com) to create a kinetic
sculpture at the Black Diamond Trailhead in
the City’s Cass Park.
The City’s vision was to embark on “a public
art project that would communicate an
inclusive and exciting vision for the future of
active transportation in Ithaca, as well as help
further identify this area of Cass Park as a hub
of Ithaca cycling.” An art project? With
bicycles? Could I help on the project? Yes
please!
Collaborating with Patricia on the west coast,
and a prominent structural engineer, Peter
Novelli, in the Dominican Republic, I was
challenged to detail the foundation and
super structure to support the Sky Ride
sculpture complete with it’s moving parts.
What a thrill and what an honor for me to be
part of this project. Me, an engineer that tore
apart and (tried to) rebuild many a two-
wheeled monstrosity in his teen years.
CAYUGA LAKEHOUSE
Steve Ruoff is an enthusiastic soccer
player, promoter, and supporter. He
is so passionate about soccer that he
purchased 37 acres of land in
Lansing NY and built a clubhouse
and 2 full size grass soccer fields.
Since 2015 local youth and adults
alike have benefitted from Steve’s
generous philanthropy.
In 2021 he wanted to enhance the
playing options and invited me to
help him obtain approvals for an
outdoor turf field. By the end of 2022
Steve had his 60’ by 100’ field of
dreams.
SKY RIDE KINETIC SCULPTURE
RUOFF SOCCER FIELD
The owners purchased a piece of lakefront property, next to a rock-lined,
cascading stream to build a home. Along with the property came a
myriad of regulations that would impact what could (and could not be)
done on the property.
In 2022, the owners invited me to join a talented team of architects,
landscape architects, and local contractors assembled to bring their
dream to life. My focus was navigating the permitting requirements and
utility extensions from multiple agencies including New York State
Electric and Gas, the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation, the New York State Office of General Services, the New York
State Department of Transportation, the US Army Corps of Engineers, and
the Town of Ithaca.
Demolition permits, building permits, variances, stormwater permits,
plumbing permits, dock permits, and seawall permits were all required. I
bet this project holds the record for most permits obtained in a single
bound. It’s now July of 2024 and the project is nearly complete.
There is a light at the end of the regulatory tunnel!
Cool Projects