Ground Breaking: Hunters Point Library

May 16, 2015

As one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in New York City, Long Island City will soon be home to a new library unlike any other. Commissioner Peña-Mora, along with Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, New York City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, and Representative Carolyn Maloney were among the many community leaders who broke ground for the project.
 
The Queens Library at Hunters Point will feature a design that is as unique as its mission. The approximately 22,000 square foot library is the work of the renowned architecture office Steven Holl Architects. With special programming that emphasizes environmental education, the library will include dedicated areas for children, teens, and adults, as well as a communal reading garden. As part of the Percent for Art Program, artist Julianne Swartz will create a public art installation. To meet Mayor de Blasio’s vision of a sustainable, healthy city, the building will aim to achieve LEED Silver certification.
 
In addition to the library, a permanent ranger station at Gantry Plaza State Park will be built to serve as a reception area for the surrounding park. The new ranger station will be a 1,260 square foot building which will include a park manager's office and patron bathrooms.
 
“We are excited to begin construction on the award winning design for the new Queens West Hunters Point Community Library branch,” said Commissioner Dr. Feniosky Peña-Mora. “The building façade has been designed with cutouts that will offer spectacular views of the Manhattan Skyline and will provide a glowing presence at night making it a prominent addition to the Long Island City Waterfront. Today, libraries are much more than places where students go to borrow books. At DDC we are proud to lead the effort to construct a facility that will not only beautify the community, but one that will also become part of the wonderful fabric of the neighborhood.”