$8.25MM Project for State-of-the-Art Interior Renovation

 
QUEENS, NY – Borough President Katz and Queens Library President and CEO Dennis Walcott, joined by elected officials, community leaders and Friends of the South Hollis Library, today announced capital investments for planned renovations and significant upgrades at the South Hollis Community Library. The renovation will include new children’s, teens and adult areas, more computers for customers to use, a new program room, new self-service check out and check-in, a completely new décor and more space for customers.

“These are substantial investments for the long-awaited renovations at the local library, and for the children, seniors and families of South Hollis,” said Borough President KATZ. “The public funds will allow for capital upgrades that will transform the interior into a state-of-the-art community hub of learning, literacy and culture.”

The $8.25 million capital renovations will be made possible with the $3 million allocation by Borough President Katz from her Fiscal Year 2017 discretionary capital funds, coupled with her commitment to allocate the remaining $5.25 million in Fiscal Year 2018. Once fully funded in July 2017, the project will proceed into the design phase. South Hollis Community Library is a neighborhood anchor, providing much-needed resources for the community, including vital after-school programs for children and teens. Active construction is estimated to begin in 2019, with an estimated completion date in 2022.

“Borough President Katz has put time, energy and resources into insuring a strong library system to serve the educational and informational needs of the borough,” said DENNIS M. WALCOTT, Queens Library President and CEO. “This capital funding will help us move key library projects forward, so the community has expanded, updated facilities for reading and learning. Queens Library joins the community in thanking the Borough President for her support.”

“I applaud Borough President Melinda Katz for her commitment to life-long learning in our community by allocating $8.25 million to the South Hollis Library,” said U.S. Representative GREGORY MEEKS. “These essential renovations are a reflection of our core values – investing in and nurturing our youth, providing opportunities for social mobility, and fostering a technologically savvy workforce.”

“I am proud to stand alongside my colleague in government, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and thank her for her capital allocations which will fund renovations at South Hollis Public Library,” said State Senator LEROY COMRIE. “The renovations are sorely needed and once completed, they will greatly enhance programming at the facility. I applaud the BP for her continued leadership, vision and commitment to serving our borough and thank Queens Library System CEO Dennis Walcott and all the staff for their work to improve libraries in the 14th Senatorial district.”

“As we strive to holistically improve the quality of life for Hollis residents, this library has played a crucial role in the communities development,” said Councilmember I. DANEEK MILLER. “The restoration of the South Hollis Library ensures that we will continue excellent services for the next generation of families that call Hollis home. I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this project a reality, including Borough President Melinda Katz, Queens Library CEO Dennis Walcott, and the community who continues to stand with us on this journey we can all be proud of.”

“Queens Library at South Hollis is a second home to many and the most important place in our community,” said MARDOCHEE ESTIMABLE, President of the Friends of South Hollis Library. “Children, teens and adults come everyday. It’s a safe place for the kids to go after school, and to spend time doing their homework, reading a book, and making friends. Veterans and adults come to use the bathroom, for job assistance and computer classes. Teens come to read graphic novels and study together.  And everyone comes to play ping pong 😉  We thank Borough President Melinda Katz for understanding the needs of the community and by providing funds to renovate and upgrade our library. Queens Library at South Hollis is more than a building, it’s a real family!”

“Community Board 12 sincerely thanks Queens Borough President Melinda Katz for her generosity and vision to expand and fully renovate South Hollis Library,” said Queens Community Board Chairperson ADRIENNE ADAMS. “Through this mandate, programs, services and community growth will be enhanced for many years to come. The commitment of the Borough President to support our libraries is evidenced by all that she provides to our worthy branches. We thank her for this great contribution to the Hollis, Queens community!”

Also joining today’s announcement were South Hollis Community Library Manager Kacper Jarecki, Queens Community Board 12 District Manager Yvonne Reddick and Education Committee Chairperson Joan Flowers, and members of the Friends of South Hollis Library. Students of the library’s STACKS program, a free afterschool program for children ages 6-14, also performed their own choreography to a mix of popular music.

 

Follow Borough President Katz via @melindakatz or www.facebook.com/queensbpkatz

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