20 THE QUEENS COURIER • may 2 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com Modern library turns a new page for Glen Oaks BY MELISSA CHAN [email protected] Glen Oaks is getting a sleek new library that opens in the third week of May, officials said. The $17 million facility at 256-04 Union Turnpike is 18,000 square feet— nearly double the size of the neighborhood’s temporary library at 255-01 Union Turnpike. The new, three-story building will have more customer service features including computer workstations, an outdoor reading space and separate areas for adults, teens and children. The library will also have a sweeping the grand opening. Materials can be renewed online at www.queenslibrary. org or by phone at 718-990-8508. Photo Courtesy of Queens Public Library An artist’s rendering shows the Glen Oaks Library’s $17 million sheen. THE COURIER/Photo by Melissa Chan interior staircase, a sky-lit reading lounge and a partial glass exterior. As construction wraps up, the temporary branch will close on May 3, officials said. Bookworms can visit nearby libraries in Bellerose or Windsor Park until Bud’s Ale House in Fresh Meadows, formerly Hooters, has closed. No more Bud’s at former Hooters BUD’S ALE HOUSE CLOSES BY MELISSA CHAN [email protected] A rebranded restaurant in Fresh Meadows could not fill the cups of its predecessor. Bud’s Ale House has closed its 61-09 190th Street location. The move came several months after Bud’s took over a Hooters there. Officials said the food joint reopened under a new name last October after Hooters of America axed a franchise agreement with Strix Restaurant Group, which ran the Fresh Meadows restaurant. Bud’s Ale House offered food options and drink specials similar to Hooters’ menu, but servers showed less skin, according to Strix spokesperson Ed McCabe. The new establishment also shot for an equal ratio of male and female employees. A Hooters in Farmingdale that transformed into a Bud’s Ale House the same time as the eatery in Fresh Meadows has closed as well. A Bud’s Ale House in Astoria is still open, but managers say they are not affiliated with Strix. McCabe and Strix could not be reached for comment. ELMHURST LIBRARY NEARS COMPLETION BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] With the final piece added to its steel structure, the Queens Library at Elmhurst is one step closer to serving the community. Borough President Helen Marshall, local elected officials, Queens Library officials, construction company representatives and community leaders gathered on Tuesday, April 29 for the hoisting of the ceremonial beam to “top out” the new library. “Our community is excited to welcome to the neighborhood a state-of-the-art library so that people can take advantage of all of its wonderful services,” said Councilmember Daniel Dromm. “For communities as diverse as Elmhurst, libraries represent so much more than just books.” Attendees got to add their signatures to the beam before it went up. The library is expected to open next year and will be double the size of the former facility. Its four levels will feature elevator access for all, a 32-computer center, a new adult learner center, an interior reading atrium, community gardens and separate areas for adults, children and teens. Marshall, Dromm and Mayor Michael Bloomberg raised funds for the new library. The general contractor of the new building is Stalco Construction, Inc. and the architect is Marpillero Pollak Architects. “The new design by award-winning Marpillero Pollak Architects will combine all the library features the community deserves while paying homage to the library’s legacy in Elmhurst,” said Thomas W. Galante, president and CEO of Queens Library. During construction, a temporary building is offering library services at 85-08 51st Avenue. THE COURIER/ Photo by Angy Altamirano
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