Owner: Beginnings Credit Union
Architect: John Snyder Architects
Location: Ithaca, NY
Completion Date: July 2026
Design-Build
Fahs Construction Group served as General Contractor for a complete interior transformation of an existing branch location in Ithaca, NY, executed in conjunction with the credit union’s system-wide rebrand from CFCU Community Credit Union to Beginnings Credit Union. Delivered in two phases, with Fahs self-performing sitework and concrete ahead of interior construction, the project carried the space from a dated, compartmentalized banking floor plan to an open, member-centric retail banking environment reflecting the credit union’s new brand identity.
Mid-course, the project transitioned to a design-build delivery model, with Fahs partnering directly with John Snyder Architects to finalize design, value-engineer systems and finishes, and keep the work moving through preconstruction, permitting, and build-out on a compressed schedule.
Self-Performed Site Work: Ahead of interior construction, Fahs self-performed parking and drive-lane paving along with ITM lane concrete, setting up the exterior infrastructure needed to support the branch’s new equipment and traffic flow before the interior buildout began.
Demo and Structural: The renovation started with a full interior demo back to shell/structure, including selective structural modifications to accommodate the new floor plan. Life-safety systems remained in service throughout, allowing the existing branch to stay operational during construction.
Interior Buildout: Scope included framing, drywall, and custom millwork at the teller line and community area, storefront and glazing work, a specialty ceiling assembly, doors and hardware including secure vault access, a new flooring package, and an ADA restroom renovation — carrying the space to the open, retail-style layout central to the rebrand.
MEP Coordination: Fahs led full trade coordination across an electrical service upgrade to support teller and ITM loads, structured cabling for data, security, and ITM connectivity, HVAC rebalancing, and fire alarm/sprinkler modifications, along with security and card-access rough-in.
Equipment and Rebrand Coordination: GC-furnished infrastructure — power, data, and casework — was sequenced to match owner-furnished vendor installs, including the cash recycler, ITM, and vault equipment, with signage and graphics coordinated to support the rebrand rollout.
The result is a branch that reflects Beginnings Credit Union’s new identity in both look and function — delivered on a compressed schedule through close collaboration between Fahs and John Snyder Architects across a mid-project shift to design-build delivery.
Rising Costs, Smarter Strategies Commercial property owners across the U.S. — and especially in upstate New York — are navigating historically high construction material prices and labor costs. These pressures can make even well-planned projects strain budgets. But cutting corners isn’t the answer. The real savings come from strategic planning, smart procurement, and partnering with…
If you’re planning a commercial project in upstate New York—whether in Oneonta, Cortland, Ithaca, Binghamton, Syracuse, Elmira, or Corning—selecting a contractor who self-performs key trades is one of the most strategic decisions you can make. At Fahs Construction Group, we self-perform critical scopes of work like sitework, concrete, and asphalt paving, which helps developers, facility…
As the year comes to a close, the construction and real estate industries enter a season of critical tasks. From tight deadlines to holiday-related disruptions, every stakeholder—commercial property managers, real estate developers, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and suppliers—faces unique challenges. With over 75 years of experience navigating winter seasons and holiday demands, general contractors like Fahs…
With extreme weather becoming more frequent and severe, it’s increasingly important to rethink how we design and build commercial structures. In Upstate NY, heavy snowfall, strong winds, and intense storms pose significant challenges for businesses. At Fahs Construction Group, we’re committed to helping commercial property developers build structures that withstand these elements while preserving long-term…
