July 29, 2016 By Hannah Wulkan
The Hunters Point Library is slowly taking shape and is slated to be completed in the first quarter of 2017, with an opening date scheduled in spring.
The library, which was delayed several times due to funding issues, is under construction at 47-40 Center Boulevard. Designed by architect Steven Holl, the 21,500 square foot library will have a rooftop garden and sitting area outside, as well as large glass windows overlooking the Manhattan skyline when completed.
Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer expressed his personal attachment to the new library, saying, “I have been a part of this project for over 17 years, first when I worked at the Queens Library, and then as a member of the New York City Council, where I have been able to allocate and direct $15 million for our new library.”
“We’re building this library for the people who live in our neighborhood, and the new families who are moving in every day,” said Van Bramer. “Next spring, the library should be open and bustling with children and families eager to learn.”
The city first broke ground on the library in May of 2015, but it was quite a bumpy road getting to that point. Construction of the library was supposed to begin in 2013, but was delayed when the city could not find a contractor willing to work within the $28.6 million budget. This led to some simplifying of the design, foregoing an aluminum exterior for cement and glass.
The city eventually raised extra funds, raising the final cost of the project to $38 million.
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7 Comments
I can’t read, I hate my life.
May as well go bowling???
I hope they have many authors’ talks like the NYPL’s Mid-Manhattan Library.
I love the new design! We need a book club!
There’s a book club opportunity at the Court Square Library.
Hideous gray box. Construction at 7am every day. I hate you.
Has anyone journalist looked at the library’s budget for this fiscal year? Is there money allocated for the operations and staffing of this library?