Astoria library to undergo multimillion-dollar renovation
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | FEB. 12-FEB. 18, 2021 5
BY ANGÉLICA ACEVEDO
The 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 airconditioning
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 American 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.”
Rendering courtesy of NYC Department of Design and Construction
We take the occasion of Black History Month
to recognize and salute the
African-American community whose
historic accomplishments have expanded
opportunity for all Americans.
CONGRESSMAN
GREGORY W. MEEKS
– Paid for and authorized by Friends for Gregory Meeks –
@GregMeeksNYC
@GregMeeksNYC
@GregMeeksNYC
5th Congressional
District of New York
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