FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com March 31, 2016 • THE COURIER SUN 3 Landmarked elementary school in Richmond Hill is getting much needed expansion Queens Library seeks more city cash to rebuild branches BY ALAN BURTON editorial@qns.com/@QNS The Queens Borough Public Library got a boost in funds last year, but it’s still short of the funding levels the library had a decade ago. New Queens Library President and CEO Dennis Walcott, along with his colleagues in the Brooklyn and New York Public Libraries, hope to change that. They came together on the steps of City Hall on March 24 to call on city leaders to allocate funding for the city’s libraries matching 2008 Fiscal Year levels. The alliance’s main also released a new report “Still Overdue: New Yorkers Need More Funding for Libraries,” which outlines how continued investment in public libraries could considerably raise the quality of life for city residents. The release of the report coincided with the launch of a new campaign by the group, Keep Investing in Libraries, a sequel to last year’s successful Invest in Libraries Campaign. The report details how the public was greatly benefited by last year’s $43 million increase in city operating funds, but also shows how many libraries are still not quite running at peak condition. Deterioration, according to the report, is the lingering effect of $65 million in library budget cuts dating back to 2008. Following the rally at City Hall, the library presidents testified at the Preliminary Budget Hearing to outline their requests for additional funds on top of the $43 million boost all three libraries received last year. This would allow libraries to increase staff and expand services. Mayor Bill de Blasio has already put a portion of the funds into his preliminary budget for 2017, and capital investment to address the over $250 million in urgent maintenance needs. “Public libraries are the best, most universally recognized places to support New yorkers in becoming educated, creative, and informed, regardless of their preferred language. Last year’s investment in libraries has resulted in measurable gains in library use; we must continue the momentum. By investing in NYC’s libraries, the mayor and the City Council will be taking another step towards realizing a fair and equal city for all,” Walcott said. The Keep Investing in Libraries Campaign is spearheaded by the city’s three library systems – Brooklyn Public Library, New York Public Library, and Queens Library, a partnership supported by DC37 and library advocates across the city. Last year’s successful funding campaign ensured citywide six-day service, additional Sunday hours, and more programming. Libraries also received $300 million in the 10-year capital budget, which has already been allocated to projects in the five boroughs. Those interested in the campaign can visit www.investinlibraries.org for additional details. BY ANTHONY GIUDICE agiudice@qns.com @A_GiudiceReport P.S. 66 in Queens currently provides a 21st century education in a 19th century building, but all that is about to change. The Richmond Hill school, located at 85-11 102nd St. and named after former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, suffers from a lack of modern facilities. There are only two bathrooms in the school to accommodate its 600 students and teachers, it has an outdated kitchen and cafeteria, and a small gym/auditorium space. “It took only one visit from Councilman Eric Ulrich and Lorraine Grillo, president of the School Construction Authority (SCA), to understand our needs,” said Phyllis Leinwand, principal at P.S. 66. “Together they moved forward with plans to make our dream for an expansion a reality. Their joint commitment, perseverance and dedication to our school community are greatly appreciated.” During a ceremony held at the school on March 29, the SCA and Ulrich announced that the students and faculty at P.S. 66 will get their much-needed expansion, which will add classrooms for additional students, an upgraded cafeteria and kitchen, more bathrooms and handicap accessible features to the elementary school. Ulrich took over representing the school in 2013 when his district was remapped to include Richmond Hill. After visiting the school, he knew something had to be done. “It will accommodate an additional 120-plus students, which is great because we can get rid of the trailers,” Ulrich said of the expansion. “There are six new classrooms, there will be a gymnasium, there will be two offices and yes, of course, there will be plenty of new bathrooms.” The school was built back in the 1890s and has stood until this day. P.S. 66 was granted landmark status in June 2011 due to its history and important place in the community, teaching generations of kids for 118 years. “It is my goal for future generations of children in this part of Richmond Hill, that they continue to honor and respect the historic status of the building while enjoying the welldeserved luxuries of our new expansion,” Leinwand said. The expansion must go through the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) for approval to build the expansion, but the application has been filed. Once that moves forward, the money for the project is already in the City’s budget and it will be put out to bid. Ulrich expects construction to begin in the next year to year and a half. Rendering courtesy of City Councilman Eric Ulrich A rendering of the P.S. 66 expansion. The Flushing Library
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