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February 13, 2017

NYC Department of Design and Construction, Brooklyn Public Library Celebrate Reopening of Brighton Beach Library

Contact:
Shavone Williams
718-391-1583

Brooklyn, NY - New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Assistant Commissioner, Oscar Gonzalez, Brooklyn Public Library Director and Chief Librarian, Lisa Rosenblum and Council Member Chaim Deutsch joined to celebrate the reopening of the 12,000 square foot Brighton Beach branch at 16 Brighton on 1st road in Brooklyn. The library closed in early 2016 for the installation of a new HVAC system, energy-efficient lighting, shelving, furniture, wired computer tables and signage.

DDC managed the $1.2 million upgrade of the HVAC system for the library. The system was designed by engineering consultant Syska Hennessy and the contractor for the project was Geomatrix Services Incorporated.

During the closure, Council Member Deutsch worked with the Library to open a computer lab next door to the branch, at the Shorefront Jewish Community Council. A BPL Bookmobile visited the area twice per week, and staff continued to host programs locally at schools, senior centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities.

Center: DDC Assistant Commissioner Oscar Gonzalez and Council Member Chaim Deustch pose with DDC project team members and Brooklyn Public Library representatives at the Brighton Beach Library re-opening ceremony

“Libraries provide valuable opportunities for education and personal growth and we’re proud to deliver this renovation to the Brighton Beach community with our partners at the Brooklyn Public Library,” said Commissioner Feniosky Peña-Mora of the NYC Department of Design and Construction. “By improving the air system and installing an acoustic screen to minimize extraneous noise, we aim to enhance the experience of those who use the library and make it a durable community resource for generations to come.”

“We look forward to welcoming the residents of Brighton Beach back to a much improved library,” said Lisa Rosenblum, Brooklyn Public Library’s Director and Chief Librarian. “Thanks to the support of Council Member Deutsch, his city council colleagues and the administration, Brighton Beach Library is now a much more comfortable and inviting environment for our patrons.”

“I’m excited to participate in the grand re-opening of our Brighton Beach library!” said Council Member Deutsch. “The library has been an essential resource for our community, providing programming for children and adults, computer and internet access, workshops, and of course – books! With these long awaited upgrades, library-goers will be able to make use of a new heating and cooling system, new shelving, new wired computer tables, new lighting, and other improvements. I am proud to have worked with the Brooklyn Public Library during the closure to provide Bookmobile service, computer usage via the Shorefront Jewish Community Council, and social opportunities for seniors in local centers. I look forward to enjoying our newly improved Brighton Beach Library branch, alongside my constituents, for many years to come!”

A Brighton Beach resident browses for new books at the Brighton Beach Library re-opening ceremony

“Shorefront Jewish Community Council was honored to host the libraries computer lab while the site was under construction,” said Shorefront Jewish Community Council Site Director Rachel Krich. “When community organizations work together like this everyone benefits. We are thrilled to see the Library reopen and are excited to work together again in the future.”

Brighton Beach is one of Brooklyn’s busiest public libraries, with Russian-language materials in particularly high demand. The branch is open Monday, Thursday and Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Tuesday, 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm; Wednesday, 10:00 am to 8:00 pm; and Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.



About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor de Blasio’s lenses of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, new or upgraded roadways, sewers, water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $15 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative, and environmentally-conscious design and construction strategies to city projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.