One for the Books
MARCH 2 0 2 1 I BOROMAG.COM 21
TBY ANGÉLICA ACEVEDO he Astoria public library is
slated for a multimillion-dollar
renovation, Councilman
Costa Constantinides announced
during a community
forum on Monday, Jan. 25.
Constantinides was joined
by Queens Public Library President
and CEO Dennis M. Walcott, New York
City Department of Design and Construction
(DDC) Program Director and
Architect Anthony Romeo, as well as
some community leaders, during the
virtual presentation.
The preliminary plans for the library,
located at 14-01 Astoria Blvd., called for
several new features that include a new
elevator, a new entry vestibule with a
ramp, new ADA-compliant restrooms,
new lighting, new floors, new windows,
new furniture, new air-conditioning and
heating, a new adult reading area as well
as a new teen and cyber center.
A professional art conservator will
manage the removal, conservation and
re-installation of the two murals, “Grand
Finale of an Opera Scene” and “Acrobats”
by artist Max Spivak, that are currently
hanging at the library.
The renovation is meant to bring the
Astoria library into compliance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act. The
public library, which was originally constructed
in 1904, is one of four Carnegie
libraries that remain in Queens.
“These renderings reflect the progress
that has been made to date in transforming
Astoria library into a more inspiring
and inviting space that is accessible to
all,” Walcott said.
The project will be in the design phase
through the beginning of next year, with
construction expected to begin before
the end of 2022, according to a DDC
spokesperson.
“It takes patience," Constantinides
said. "It’s going to take time, but this new
design for the Astoria branch is one that
is overdue for our neighborhood."
Constantinides, in partnership with
Speaker Corey Johnson, allocated $3.25
million to the Astoria library in the fiscal
year 2019 budget. Since taking office in
2014, Constantinides has secured nearly
$9 million for renovations at the library.
This project is part of a major $25 million
investment in the community west of
21st Street, a historically neglected and
redlined area that saw generations of
underinvestment.
“Bringing equity to our neighbors
west of 21st Street has been one of my
top priorities since Day One,” Constantinides
said. “I’m happy that today, we
can come together with our friends and
neighbors and see the progress that
has been made on bringing a refreshed
library space that everyone can enjoy
more fully.”
Claudia Coger, president of Astoria
Houses Tenants Association, said the
community “had to fight” to keep the
Astoria library on many occasions in
the past, but that it’s a necessary part
of the growing north western Queens
community.
“All of this is going to change the
whole effect of the library,” Coger said.
“I’m just excited.”
Old Astoria Neighborhood Association
President Richard Khuzami said the
project fits into Constantinides' efforts to
not only preserve the neighborhood’s
historic qualities, but also enhance them.
“Libraries are the heart of a community,
a resource essential for growth
and understanding for all ages,
from tots to seniors. With these upgrades,
especially accessibility, all of
our community will now be able to
share in this great enhanced space,”
Khuzami said. “This library has been
particularly important in Old Astoria,
providing a destination for our young
people, especially after school, when
access to both physical books and
the internet can make a difference for
academic success and for their future
in general.”
EXPLORE YOUR BORO
Rendering of Astoria Library preliminary renovation design.
Photo courtesy of NYC Department of Design and Construction
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