12
QUEENS WEEKLY, NOV. 3, 2019
Library
does have multiple cracks on
the floors and water leakage
in some areas, but when the
60-member group meets in
the new building for the first
time on Nov. 14, the organization’s
leader doubts the
flaws will even dominate the
agenda.
“I see some issues that are
easily resolved but it’s minor
stuff,” Friends of Hunters
Point Library President Mark
Christie said. “The building
in still a work in progress
because they opened when it
was still incomplete so stuff
like this was bound to happen.”
Soon after it opened on
Sept. 24, a fiction section
was found to be inaccessible
for the handicapped with no
elevator service, only steep
staircases, in violation of federal
mandates.
The books have since
been moved to another section
of the library.
“Our goal is to be inclusive
and welcoming, and to provide
opportunity and access
to everyone,” Queens Public
Library President and CEO
Dennis M. Walcott said. “As
we move ahead with the current
and future renovation of
libraries in our system, we
are going to ensure that all of
our customers can fully and
safely use our resources. We
are focusing on how to meet
the needs of all our customers
at Hunters Point as we
settle into the building and
see what is working and what
can be improved.”
Library staff recently
discovered puddles of water
in the children’s area of the
building and they noticed
the cracks in multiple areas
including one that a New
York Post reporter said was
more than 10 feet long. A
QPL spokeswoman said they
are working with the city’s
Department of Design and
Construction to remedy the
situation.
“We can confirm there
is no water coming from the
roof,” Elisabeth de Bourbon
said. “DDC is in the process
of determining the source of
water that was found in part
of the children’s area, and we
are working with the agency
to address any other issues
that may arise, including
cracks. We are also working
with DDC through a punch
list of minor work that remains
outstanding.”
The new branch was
plagued by cost overruns,
construction delays, an
overly grandiose design by
Steven Holl Architects and
other problems for nearly a
decade.
“Hunters Point Library
is a unique, visually beautiful
building, and our goal is
to be inclusive and welcoming
and provide safe access
to all,” de Bourbon said. “It
has drawn more than 30,000
visits since opening day in
September, already making
it one of the busiest of QPL’s
63 libraries.”
Christie was confident
that the necessary fixes are
being worked on and that the
public will continue to embrace
the new addition to the
neighborhood.
“To me this is something
of a non-issue, but for all the
money they spent on this
project it should have been a
pristine diamond,” Christie
said. “That said, it is a beautiful
jewel box of a building
that has become a beacon for
our community.”
Continued from Page 1
Skate Park
from Richards and $600,000
from Queens Borough
President Melinda Katz.
“We are excited to expand
recreational opportunities
and provide new
amenities for the Laurelton
community to enjoy,”
NYC Parks Queens Borough
Commissioner Michael
Dockett said, “I am
proud to cut the ribbon on
this brand new skate park.
Thanks to funding from
Borough President Katz
and Council Member Richards,
people of all ages will
make new use of this vital
greenspace, which will
serve the area for many
years to come.”
The new park was designed
to serve users with
a broad range of skills. The
site now features a skate
island, seat wall, drinking
fountain and enhanced
landscape.
“This new, top-notch
skate park, fitness path
and exercise equipment
are welcome additions to
Laurelton and will be enjoyed
by local residents for
many years to come,” Katz
said. “It has been a privilege
to work with Council
Member Richards and
NYC Parks on making this
fantastic skate park and fitness
area a reality, because
everyone deserves highquality
parks and playgrounds
where they can
have fun and be physically
active.”
The project features
Parks Without Borders design
elements that extend
the park into the community.
“Skaters and park-goers
in southeast Queens
will finally have a refuge
in their own community
for honing their skills,”
state Senator Leroy Comrie
said. “I commend Commissioner
Dockett and the
NYC Parks Department for
their commitment to diversifying
the types of recreational
amenities available
to residents Southeast
Queens and enhancing our
greenspaces.”
Assemblywoman Alicia
Hyndman praised Dockett
and her colleague in
government for creating a
space open to all.
“Being able to feel a part
of the community while
you’re in the community
is a vital experience for all
who reside or visit,” Hyndman
said. “I believe this is
another path towards that
goal. Congratulations to
all.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry
by e-mail at bparry@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone
at (718) 260–4538.
Continued from Page 1
City Councilman Donavan
Richards tries out the skateboard
run at the brand new
Laurelton Playground Skate
Park. Courtesy of NYC Parks
link
link
link
