Critical Funding to Improve Centers of Lifelong Learning
QUEENS, NY –Borough President Melinda Katz announced a $13 million allocation of her FY 2017 discretionary capital funds to pay for important expansions, renovations and enhancements at Queens Library branches located throughout the borough.
“Queens Library’s locations serve as centers of lifelong learning and enrichment,’ said Borough President KATZ. “These are substantial investments for not only renovations, expansions and enhancements, but also for the families of Queens. These funds are designed to help Queens Library continue to be a first-class library system of learning, literacy and culture.”
“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.”
Borough President Katz’s FY 2017 allocation of $13 million is based on needs assessments and requests by the Queens Library, and breaks down as follows:
- $3.5 million for an exterior expansion and $92,000 for security cameras at Queens Library at Baisley Park (this comes on top of a $3.5 million allocation in FY 2016 for interior renovations);
- $3 million for the expansion of Queens Library at East Elmhurst;
- $3 million for an interior expansion of Queens Library at South Hollis;
- $1.4 million for interior renovations at Queens Library of Bay Terrace (this comes on top of a $96,000 allocation in FY 2016 for security cameras);
- $600,000 for window and door replacements at Queens Library at Forest Hills;
- $500,000 for an HVAC upgrade at Queens Library of Pomonok;
- $400,000 for the initial outfitting at Queens Library of North Forest Park;
- $385,000 to install an exterior self check-in system at Queens Library of Queens Village.
- $97,000 for a security system upgrade at Queens Library of Laurelton.
The $13 million allocation for FY 2017 comes on top of Borough President Katz’s $14 million capital allocation issued in FY 2016, which is listed at www.queensbp.org/borough-president-katz-allocates-14-million-for-queens-library-capital-improvements.
Follow Borough President Katz via @melindakatz or www.facebook.com/queensbpkatz