Every product is independently selected by editors Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission Three curious things will strike you about the building at the intersection of Central Avenue and Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway: It’s an orange-glass box it’s covered in a pattern of scratchy white swirls and it parts at the corner like a slit skirt It’s not clear at first what the building might be for and so by the time you’ve gravitated to the triangular portal you’re not surprised to find out that it’s the Far Rockaway branch of the Queens Public Library The two-story structure combines the deluxe and the whimsical both rare qualities in this part of the city Its oddness is part of what makes the building belong says that the color derives from the sunsets over the ocean a few blocks away A set of indecipherable jottings on the glass and the scrawls seem to spring from their minds like cartoon speech that has burst free of its bubbles “People protect what they love,” Dykers says deliberate process to cultivate that protective love A library isn’t just a repository of print volumes or an all-purpose facility that helps users improve their English a place where kids at loose ends might stop off even though it doesn’t serve alcohol or fries The Far Rockaway branch lures them into a glowing honeycomb of triangles with V-shaped concrete columns and a staircase that cuts diagonally through the center Folded metal pyramids hang from that segment of glass ceiling flowing through the translucent walls to cast an amber glow or activating the dichroic-glass railings that change color as you pass There are no dark or cut-off places here; from deep inside the second floor The architects have designed away the opportunities to lurk (Sunshine can be too much of a good thing; after the building opened a library staffer buttonholed Dykers to complain about the persistent dazzle on her computer screen Snøhetta designed the building to welcome all The bar for keeping (or kicking) someone out is high a man using a computer terminal suddenly began to yell and curse and he kept up the loud threats as security guards escorted him to the street Librarians also adjust the collection to match the flux in Far Rockaway’s demographics but on Friday afternoons a cohort of Orthodox Jewish children pack in before the Sabbath emptying shelves of picture books like Yitzi and the Giant Menorah and A Synagogue Just Like Home this one moved forward at a desultory pace and the architects used the delays to study the institution and the interaction between them to ask everyone they encountered what they hoped the building would do for them Community engagement has become a watchword among city planners and architects a necessary prelude to the construction of public projects you’d think he didn’t design the library so much as draw a composite sketch of other people’s desires Which prompts a question: How narrowly should a library be tailored for the neighborhood it serves The pace of construction often lags behind the rate at which groups move in and out You can engage with the community you have but not with the one that will be around 15 years later the result speaks well for Snøhetta’s approach: Consult all you like then go away and come up with a design nobody would have thought to ask for a midwestern mayor by the name of Pete Buttigieg mused on how Klinenberg’s theories could be applied to concrete decisions about how to spend (and not spend) taxpayers’ money: “Social infrastructure becomes less a thing to maximize than a lens that communities and policymakers should apply to every routine decision about physical investment: Do the features of this proposed school park or sewer system tend to help human beings to form connections?” the Brooklyn Public Library hired the nonprofit agency Hester Street which was founded in 2003 “to ensure that neighborhoods are shaped by the people who live in them.” That seems like an obviously virtuous goal A government agency (the BPL) is promoting change with one hand and stasis with the other but it is also designed to express an explicitly race-based narrative for the benefit of New Lots’s current population shortly before the White House started treating its reason for being as an evil spell: The organization “worked to advance racial equity and economic justice through projects focused on access to open space environmental justice and climate resilience and so much more.” That’s the kind of language that makes Stephen Miller writhe in his coffin.) The commemorative impulse also imbues the plan for a new library adjacent to the playground the architects produced a flowchart studded with the imperatives of uplift: Invite They then mapped those stages of an imagined transformational journey onto specific design elements The central feature is a mass-timber column that branches into ceiling ribs an indoor urban form of the palaver tree where villagers in West Africa gather to resolve conflicts A trophy staircase leads down to a double-height open room with a wall that will be emblazoned with a narrative about the burial ground The glass-sided building will be shrouded in a pixelated wrap made of metal slats — similar in concept to the veil enclosing the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington — some of them inscribed with epigrams by Black leaders The roof terrace offers a view over the commemorative park What all these details add up to is a building and landscape conceived together and joined in purpose to give library users a way to absorb history into their ongoing lives The design delivers an exhortation: Remember which is constantly negotiating between the city it finds and the one it shapes between the interpreted past and the wished-for future By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us Already a subscriber? Sign in Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York Video available at: https://youtu.be/O7kyC5lSxjE State-of-the-Art Gotham Health Community Health Center Advances Mayor Adams’ Efforts Alongside Local Elected Officials to Strengthen Health Care Access and Equity on Rockaway Peninsula New Center Will Provide Primary and Specialty Care NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President and CEO Andrew Kimball and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards today announced that construction is now underway on a new 22,000-square-foot Gotham Health community health center that will provide comprehensive health care services to residents of Far Rockaway The state-of-the-art community health center will expand community members’ access to primary care The Adams administration has contributed $30 million to cover the cost of retrofitting the space and providing advanced medical equipment “As I said in my State of the City address last month our goal is to make New York City the best place on the globe to raise a family and keeping families healthy is essential to keeping families in the five boroughs,” said Mayor Adams lack of access to services has been a barrier to health care and opportunity for underserved communities here in Southeast Queens we are bridging the health care gap and investing $30 million to provide vital medical equipment for everyday New Yorkers.” “New York City’s public hospital system provides care to New Yorkers without exception including where they live,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr “The opening of the Gotham Health community health center in Far Rockaway will make critical primary and specialty care services readily available to residents of the peninsula who for too long have needed to travel elsewhere to access the care they need We are thankful to Mayor Adams and Queens Borough President Richards whose advocacy and investment made the construction of this clinic a reality.” “The construction of the Gotham Health center in Far Rockaway will bring critical health care services to a historically underserved community,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Kimball “NYCEDC is thrilled to have helped facilitate funding for this health center as a continued commitment to our Downtown Far Rockaway Roadmap for Action We look forward to working together with NYC Health + Hospitals and Queens Borough President Richards to support the Far Rockaway community.” “This new clinic expands access to high quality affordable health care for the Far Rockaway community,” said NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health CEO Michelle Lewis. “With both primary and specialty care services we are ensuring that patients are able to receive comprehensive coordinated care. This clinic reflects our commitment to health equity and our mission to provide exceptional care for all New Yorkers.” “It's been a decade since I convened the Downtown Far Rockaway Working Group to lead the groundbreaking $288 million rezoning of this incredible community and the dividends this initiative continues to pay in this community are astounding I couldn't be prouder to have worked tirelessly alongside so many government and community partners to deliver this critical investment in the health of Far Rockaway families as we bring the days of deliberate disinvestment in this neighborhood to an end,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr families on the peninsula have experienced higher rates of numerous diseases comprehensive preventative care offered at this $30 million new NYC Health + Hospitals facility represents a massive step forward in making Far Rockaway a healthier and stronger community The residents this clinic will serve deserve nothing less than the best.” The new community health center — located at 1720 Village Lane in Far Rockaway — is expected to open in 2027 and is strategically designed to bridge health care gaps in Far Rockaway where community members have historically had limited access to care Borough President Richards played a crucial role advocating for the center and ensuring it will provide comprehensive health services and promote health equity for the Far Rockaway community.The facility will offer a full spectrum of primary care services The Adams administration has prioritized helping New Yorkers live longer, healthier lives with its HealthyNYC initiative which aims to extend the average life expectancy of New Yorkers to 83 years by 2030 preventative health care can help screen for cancers and manage chronic diseases This new community health center fulfills a core commitment of NYCEDC’s “Downtown Far Rockaway Roadmap for Action” and Mayor Adams’ “Rebuild, Renew, and Reinvent: A Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery.” “I applaud the start of construction for the new Gotham Health Community Health Center in Far Rockaway,” said U.S “Every New Yorker deserves to have access to quality healthcare services and this $30 million dollar investment will significantly increase access to healthcare in the Rockaways and contribute to keeping our communities safe and healthy I remain committed to advancing this effort through my work in Congress by supporting legislation that will protect and strengthen our healthcare services to deliver live-saving care to my constituents and visitors.”   “Far Rockaway has long been in need of expanded healthcare services and the construction of this new Gotham Health facility is a significant victory for our residents,” said New York State Senator James Sanders Jr “This investment means better access to primary and specialty care and children can receive the medical attention they deserve right in their own neighborhood I look forward to seeing the positive impact this center will have on our community’s well-being.” “The groundbreaking of the Gotham Community Health Center in Far Rockaway marks an important moment for our community,” said New York City Council Majority Whip Selvena N Brooks-Powers. “With significant new development in Rockaway we must ensure that essential services keep pace with the growing demand This investment will bring preventative services—including primary care and mental health—directly to our neighborhood While this center will provide much-needed preventative care we remain steadfast in our push for a Level 1 or Level 2 trauma center on the Rockaway Peninsula Katz for their leadership in expanding healthcare access and I look forward to continuing to work together to build a healthier future for Rockaway.” pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov(212) 788-2958 By: 6:30 am on April 17 Permits have been filed for a nine-story mixed-use building at 18-15 Cornaga Avenue in Far Rockaway Located between Morse Court and Mott Avenue the lot is near the Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue subway station Ami Weinstock is listed as the owner behind the applications The proposed 94-foot-tall development will yield 77,628 square feet with 62,947 square feet designated for residential space and 5,815 square feet for community facility space most likely condos based on the average unit scope of 676 square feet The concrete-based structure will also have a cellar JFA Architects and Engineers is listed as the architect of record Demolition permits have not been filed yet An estimated completion date has not been announced Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates Like YIMBY on Facebook Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews This will improve neighborhood character a ton More of this in Far Rockaway and Saint Albans please ga('send', 'event', 'beautyofblock', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Standard_336x280-100-2.jpg', { nonInteraction: true }); ADVERTISEMENT ga('send', 'event', 'PCRichards Builders Division', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/PCR_Beko_Compact_YIMB_336x280.jpg', { nonInteraction: true }); ga('send', 'event', 'yimby+', 'Impression', 'https://newyorkyimby.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/image.png', { nonInteraction: true }); Follow on Instagram var sb_instagram_js_options = {"font_method":"svg","placeholder":"https:\/\/www.newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/instagram-feed\/img\/placeholder.png","resized_url":"https:\/\/www.newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sb-instagram-feed-images\/","ajax_url":"https:\/\/www.newyorkyimby.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; © COPYRIGHT New York YIMBY® LLC YIMBY IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF NIKOLAI FEDAK / NEW YORK YIMBY LLC Queens Community Board 14 voted on Wednesday night to approve with conditions the city’s proposed rezoning of downtown Far Rockaway by a vote of 26 to 2 The vote followed a public hearing in which 10 people voiced concerns about an influx of apartments (more than 3,000 in the original proposal) the plan’s lack of a new school or new hospital to accommodate that increased population and the difficulty of creating a safe evacuation plan for so many people in the event of another hurricane But another 11 people voiced support of the rezoning with many repeating the comment that downtown Far Rockaway is currently an “eye-sore” long overdue for change You can watch video of the full hearing here Take a short anonymous survey to help us deliver content to empower our community I am the manager of Platinum Plus Barbershop and Hair Salon at 1916 Mott Ave in the downtown Far Rockaway Platinum is one of the 18 business mentioned as part of this first stage of store fronts upgrade (compliments keep poring in everyday on our face lift) We want to thank councilman Donovan Richards and his staff CB 14 and all involved to make this long awaited upgrade this community need After doing business in the same location for over 27 years this is well overdue to the generations who have been waiting and to those who will become a productive and economical contributors in the future As was poled at this meeting by show of hand of residents most persons did not do their shopping or business in the downtown area and that has to change Those dollars should be circulating right here in Far Rockaway I happen to believe that these upgrades will encourage good residents to remain in the community and in turn strengthen it overall Once again thanks to all who supported this effort and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" By: 6:30 am on February 26 Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 21-05 Birdsall Avenue in Far Rockaway Located at the intersection of Redfern Avenue and Birdsall Avenue the corner lot is near the Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue subway station Newday Management is listed as the owner behind the applications The proposed 40-foot-tall development will yield 14,713 square feet designated for residential space most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 668 square feet The masonry-based structure will also have a 20-foot-long front yard and 11 open parking spaces Nikolai Katz Architect is listed as the architect of record Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant Follow on Instagram var sb_instagram_js_options = {"font_method":"svg","placeholder":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/instagram-feed\/img\/placeholder.png","resized_url":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sb-instagram-feed-images\/","ajax_url":"https:\/\/newyorkyimby.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php"}; © COPYRIGHT New York YIMBY® LLC Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917-702-0016Ian Michaels, michaelia@ddc.nyc.gov 2024) Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M Queens District Attorney and former Queens Borough President Melinda Katz New York City Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers New York City Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo and community leaders today celebrated the grand opening of the new Far Rockaway Library Located at the busy intersection of Central and Mott Avenues and designed by the renowned architectural firm Snøhetta the library is as much the centerpiece of the revitalization of Downtown Far Rockaway as it is an inspiring space for learning The new structure is the third library building at 1637 Central Avenue a site deeded to the City for educational purposes by local philanthropist Benjamin Mott The original Far Rockaway Library opened almost exactly 120 years ago and was the first library in Queens built with money donated by the industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie The building was destroyed by fire in 1962 and replaced six years later with a 9,000-square-foot single-story building that served the community until its closure in 2018 when it was razed to make room for the new structure In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 the branch became a lifeline for many local residents providing disaster relief and serving as a food and supply distribution hub two-story structure is twice the size of the prior building and cost $39 million to design and construct It features a unique glass façade and central atrium space designed to let natural light penetrate deep into the building while giving customers views of the sky from within the building A tall transparent glass pyramidal opening at the corner serves as the library’s main entry The building’s interior spaces are arranged around the atrium and the focus of the branch’s activities The façade is comprised of colored glass with its colors gradually fading into one another The interior railing is made of dichroic glass creating a kaleidoscopic effect in the atrium The 18,000-square-foot building meets LEED Gold standards for environmental efficiency The glass façade’s glazing reduces heat generated by the sun and lets in ample natural light Other energy efficient features include daylighting and occupancy sensors that work with automated building management systems and an underfloor heating distribution system The structure also has a blue roof that releases storm water from the site at a slow speed A teen room and computer area are located on the first floor a book sorting area and a staff lounge and lockers There is also a rear yard accessible to the public has separate adult and children reading areas Snøhetta’s design of the new Far Rockaway Library received an Excellence in Design Award from the Public Design Commission under DDC’s Design and Construction Excellence 2.0 program which pre-selects and pre-qualifies design firms that DDC works with on projects with construction budgets of up to $50 million The program is designed to decrease the amount of time required for DDC to procure design services while ensuring the highest levels of quality and professionalism in construction projects managed by the agency Snøhetta – which in the past worked on several high-profile projects including the Alexandria Library in Egypt and the National September 11 Memorial Museum and Pavilion – collaborated with Brooklyn-based contemporary artist José Parlá to co-design the mural wrapping the façade of the library Called “Style Writing,” the artwork consists of continuous written forms that reflect the vibrancy of daily life in New York City as part of the Department of Cultural Affairs’ Percent for Art Program Mexican artist Pablo Helguera created the “Feynman Code,” a tribute to the Nobel Prize-winner and theoretical physicist Richard Feynman (1918-1988) who grew up in the neighborhood and attended Far Rockaway High School One of his contributions to physics are the so-called Feynman diagrams pictorial representations of the mathematical expressions describing the behavior of subatomic particles Helguera created an alphabet where every letter is replaced by a Feynman diagram and reproduced two phrases using this coding system: one by the 19th century American poet Emily Dickinson “the brain is wider than the sky,” and one by Feynman himself: “I an atom in the universe.” The project received an Excellence in Design Award from the Public Design Commission in 2019 “The opening of this spectacular library marks an important moment in Queens Public Library’s 120-year relationship with the neighborhood and in the revitalization of Downtown Far Rockaway,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M “This dynamic building is a work of art designed to welcome and connect everyone who comes through its doors There are many individuals and organizations to thank for bringing this space to life as well as the dedicated members of the QPL team who have worked tirelessly to ensure the new library provides invaluable resources We are immensely grateful to the people of Far Rockaway for their trust and support and look forward to continuing to serve them for generations to come.” “The new Far Rockaway Library is an extraordinary upgrade for a community that's enjoyed public library service for 120 years and we're very excited to unveil the new building to the public,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner (DDC) Thomas Foley “Through our Design and Construction Excellence Program we engage some of the world's most prominent design firms to create the City's public buildings and now we bring that same level of world-class architecture to downtown Far Rockaway where DDC recently completed extensive street and infrastructure upgrades and the DDC project team for bringing this beautiful library to Far Rockaway.” “Libraries create spaces that inspire learning and foster lifelong connections among New Yorkers of all ages,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams “As a young man who struggled with dyslexia I saw firsthand the importance of libraries as the great equalizer and a way of leveling the playing field That’s why I am proud that our administration restored more than $58 million in funding to our city's three public library systems invested a total of $489 million for Fiscal Year 2025 and baselined $42.8 million in funding every year moving forward — providing peace of mind to our entire library system With the opening of the brand-new Far Rockaway library Queens residents will be able to enjoy that peace of mind knowing that a state-of-the-art library is in their very own community to serve them for generations to come.” “It’s been a long time in coming but the new Far Rockaway Library is a spectacular facility that will prove to be well worth the wait,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr “Countless Far Rockaway families now have access to the first-class center of learning and community engagement that they have long deserved This $39 million investment is one of the highlights of my career and I couldn’t be prouder to have delivered — along with my colleagues —this stunning new library and all its resources to this community.” “The Far Rockaway community has long deserved a state-of-the-art library,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz “I recognized this need as Borough President and we allocated more than $20 million in funding to create a world-class branch of the Queens Public Library This new facility will serve as a vital hub of learning and enrichment for young people I encourage all area residents to make the most of the extensive resources and services in this state-of-the art location Congratulations to Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and all the city and elected officials who made the new Far Rockaway Library a reality.” we celebrate the grand opening of the long awaited a beacon of hope and opportunity for our community,” said Council Member Selvena N modern facility stands as a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of investing in historically overlooked neighborhoods As someone who once relied on my local library for job searches and vital resources – and frequented our local branch for story time with my then infant daughter – I know firsthand how transformative libraries can be I encourage everyone to take full advantage of the array of programs and services this library offers as we continue to fight for the resources our community deserves.” “FINALLY,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato “When I was growing up in Far Rockaway this library was always there when I needed it It is such a comfort to know that it continues to be a staple of the community and resource for everyone The amazing beautification and modernization of our Far Rockaway Library is a welcomed addition to the community and everyone involved who made this a reality.” “I am elated to join the grand opening of the Far Rockaway Queens Public Library branch which offers our neighborhood a brand new two-story structure with updated ADA-compliant infrastructure and amenities like Children’s Area It will offer a seven-day service,” says Assembly Member Khaleel M “The Rockaway Library has served the Rockaways with a storied history since 1904 Its importance was well-demonstrated in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012 when the previous facility was used to provide disaster relief to residents This library is the core of the community—a cooling center The new building will live up to that community legacy flourishing as a civic center masterpiece.” “I am excited to announce the opening of the Queens Public Library’s new state-of-the-art facility in Far Rockaway,” said Congressman Gregory W “Libraries are important pillars of knowledge and cultural enrichment where people of all ages can access resources and engage in lifelong learning The NYC Department of Design and Construction has designed this beautiful new space for our community and I look forward to visiting it soon.” “A key component of the Downtown Far Rockaway Roadway for Action plan the Queens Public Library will serve as an education resource and bring expand cultural programming to the community,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation CEO & President Andrew Kimball “NYCEDC looks forward to continuing working alongside our partners in the public and private sector to re-establish Downtown Far Rockaway as a true mixed-use and residential community – bringing needed jobs “Libraries are the palaces of the people and we are so excited to unveil this amazing public artwork for the new Far Rockaway Library by Pablo Helguera,” said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo “Commissioned through our Percent for Art program in partnership with Queens Public Library Helguera's “Feynman Code” pays tribute to the Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist and Far Rockaway resident Richard Feynman and explores the idea of the whole world as a written book When you pay a visit to this extraordinary gem of a new building make sure to explore this remarkable new public artwork.” “Libraries are community hubs,” said Felicia Johnson “They connect people to information and connect people to people This new Far Rockaway Library has been a long time in the making It has been uniquely designed to serve a unique and diverse community I am excited to see where the minds of the residents of this community will go Libraries have the power to change lives for the better “Our design for the new Far Rockaway library is focused on connecting the diverse communities in the area through an architecture supporting joy and learning The vibrant colors and daylit interiors are inspired by the many groups that call the area their home,” said Snøhetta founder Craig Dykers “Together with New York based Cuban-American artist the building pays homage to the spirit of creativity in the Rockaways and in many of the culturally distinct neighborhoods across the city.” The new library offers 32 public computers periodicals and other materials in several languages as well as books about the Black experience and Jewish interest materials for children and adults one of the three QPL locations providing seven-day service will serve the neighborhood with numerous educational and cultural programs for people of all ages The project was funded through capital investments from Queens Borough President Richards a temporary library operated nearby at 1003 Beach 20th Street Additional images of the library are available here (credit: Matthew Lapiska/DDC) and videos are available here and here About Queens Public LibraryQueens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country.  An independent Queens Public Library offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in 50 languages the Library hosts tens of thousands of online and in-person educational and civic programs and welcomes millions of visitors through its doors With a presence in nearly every neighborhood across the borough of Queens a technology center located at the Queensbridge Houses the nation’s largest public housing complex and a community learning center at another public housing complex NYC is a trademark and service mark of the City of New York Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.  2025Police are investigating the fatal stabbing of a man in Far Rockaway Queens (WABC) -- Police are searching for the suspect who fatally stabbed a man during a fight in Queens The deadly confrontation happened around 6:50 p.m two men were fighting with a knife but fled the scene before officers arrived Medina with multiple stab wounds to his chest at St Authorities are trying to determine what led up to the attack * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More Manhattan news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTube Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. DDC: Ian Michaels, 646-939-6514, michaelia@ddc.nyc.govQPL: Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, 917-702-0016, ekern@queenslibrary.org (Queens, NY – September 23, 2024) Commissioner Thomas Foley of the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott today announced that the new Far Rockaway Library has been named the City’s “Best New Building” by the Municipal Art Society of New York in its 2024 MASterworks Awards DDC managed the design and construction of the $39 million library for Queens Public Library “We are honored to be recognized by the Municipal Art Society for bringing world-class architecture to Queens,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley “The new Far Rockaway Library carries on the tradition of more than 120 years of public library access at this site with a modern accessible structure that’s twice the size of the former library and full of amenities for the community as well as public art Thank you to MAS as well the Queens Public Library and the great DDC project team that managed this project in-house.” “As soon as it opened its doors to the public the new Far Rockaway Library instantly became an anchor for the neighborhood and an architectural sensation attracting people from near and far,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M “We are thrilled that it was recognized by the Municipal Art Society of New York for its spectacular design Congratulations to Snøhetta for their brilliant concept and the Department of Design and Construction for delivering this iconic and inspiring building to the community.” The Far Rockaway Library opened to the public on July 30 at a ribbon cutting ceremony with local elected officials and residents more than 21,000 people have visited the branch and nearly 23,000 item have been checked out making the branch one of the busiest locations in the QPL system ten of which are certified Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs) The new library is twice the size of the prior building and features a unique glass façade and central atrium space designed to let natural light penetrate deep into the building while giving customers views of the sky from within the building The building meets LEED Gold standards for environmental efficiency © Jeff GoldbergThe idea for the library's simple form provides a calm contrast to the visual noise of surrounding retail outlets it reinterprets the traditional New York City public library typology as a repository for books integrating the building with diverse collaboration and social spaces including a teen room and private meeting centers the design creates a renewed visual identity for one of the borough's most ethnically diverse communities Programming includes after-school study hours The second floor includes both adult and children's reading areas You'll now receive updates based on what you follow Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors If you have done all of this and still can't find the email Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. Learn More With a four-month A train shutdown to the Rockaways set to begin Friday the MTA is urging straphangers to plan ahead for service changes that may affect their commutes trains on the A line will not run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue or Rockaway Park-Beach 116th Street and won’t run at all during the first weekend of the shutdown The MTA said critical infrastructure repairs to the train line are expected to take until Monday the transit agency is offering a plethora of alternatives for commuters to get from one place to another Here’s what you need to know about service changes and alternatives while the shutdown is in effect During the first weekend of service changes 20 until repairs are completed in May:   Commuters will have a number of service alternatives during the construction period the MTA will run free Rockaway Park Shuttle trains between Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue and Rockaway Park Beach-116th Street riders will be able to take free shuttle buses for service to and from affected stations free shuttle buses will run on two routes: Riders will be able to take the following buses LIRR trains will run between Far Rockaway Station and Manhattan or Brooklyn via Jamaica during the shutdown The MTA will be reducing the fare for the LIRR’s Far Rockaway Ticket to $2.75 each way while repairs are underway these discounted tickets will only be available for purchase at the Far Rockaway Station or via the TrainTime app with location share on so the app can confirm you are near the Far Rockaway Station The MTA is advising riders to purchase round-trip tickets at the Far Rockaway Station if they plan to return to that station the same day as Far Rockaway Tickets aren’t available at other stations In preparation for a possible rise in Rockaway ridership, NYC Ferry is implementing the following adjustments to the Rockaway route: The NYC Ferry's Rockaway route will continue to operate hourly between Wall Street/Pier 11 and the Rockaway port at Beach 108th Street Officials say they'll monitor ridership and make adjustments as needed By: 7:30 am on November 11 Work is nearing completion on 35-01 Beach Channel Drive, an eight-story residential building in Far Rockaway Designed by Bernheimer Architecture and developed by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development the 83-foot-tall structure will span 137,342 square feet and yield 138 rental units with an average scope of 707 square feet as well as 5,173 square feet of commercial space Twenty percent of the units will be designated as affordable housing The property is bound by Beach Channel Drive Recent photographs show the building almost fully clad in its façade of light- and dark-gray paneling and grid of windows with protruding teal frames The majority of the punched windows are concentrated on the southern wing and northern elevation along Beach Channel Drive while the other faces are less densely fenestrated The structure’s two interlocking volumes culminate in flat parapets topped with roof decks and covered with photovoltaic canopies Sidewalk scaffolding still surrounds the ground floor as work on the first story wraps up and the hoist remains attached to the southwestern corner of the structure Crews were seen installing stone façade panels on the first story along Beach Channel Drive The photographs below show an aerial perspective of the southern side of the property The below rendering from the construction board depicts the eastern end of the development The ground floor appears to be clad in corrugated gray paneling No additional renderings nor details about potential amenities have been released to date as seen in the following Google Street View image from before excavation began The development is located directly adjacent to the elevated Beach 36 Street station 35-01 Beach Channel Drive’s anticipated completion date is slated for January 2025 Some unfortunate Soviet vibes when looking at just one elevation Hopefully it’s not seen most often that way Solar panels are becoming popular because of global warming Does Michael Young ever get bored having to photograph so much mediocrity Construction is set to begin on an affordable residential building within a new development in Far Rockaway. As first reported by Commercial Observer Tishman Speyer’s TS Communities announced it secured financing and will break ground this month on Edgemere Commons A2 a 100 percent affordable building at 337 Beach 52nd Street and the second all-affordable development within the larger Edgemere Commons complex The building will rise 18 stories and deliver 244 affordable apartments ranging from studios to three bedrooms for households earning between 40 and 80 percent of the area median income “The Rockaway Renaissance continues in real time and I couldn’t be more excited to soon be breaking ground on the next phase of the revolutionary Edgemere Commons project delivering hundreds of affordable homes in the midst of our city’s generational housing crisis,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. we are transforming the Rockaway Peninsula from a far-flung forgotten community into a blueprint for responsible revolutionary community development for the rest of the city to follow.” the 11-building project is poised to deliver more than 2,000 affordable homes the development will be built in five phases over 10 years which closed in 2012 after over 100 years in operation following Hurricane Sandy In 2021, Tishman Speyer entered an agreement to acquire and develop 10 of the 11 building sites of the project, as 6sqft previously reported Edgemere Commons A2 includes 244 studio to three-bedroom apartments all of which will be affordable to those earning between 40 and 80 percent of the area median income An additional 73 apartments will be designated as supportive housing Amenities will include a second-floor community room a fourth-floor outdoor space with a recreation room this phase of the project will include the construction of Peninsula Way a private landscaped street connecting the public Beach 53rd Street to the private Beach 52nd Street This street will be accessible to both pedestrians and vehicles and will extend to Beach 50th Street in future phases of Edgemere Commons The building will be the third multi-family development at Edgemere Commons. The first building was completed in 2024 and launched a housing lottery in April for 134 affordable apartments The second phase is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025 New York State Homes and Community Renewal is leading the $166 million financing for phase two of the project Citi Community Capital will provide the letter of credit while Hudson Housing Capital will secure an equity investment through the purchase of low-income housing tax credits the worker suffered a “minor back injury” and required a “technical rescue” from the FDNY Construction resumed four days later when Joy Construction The incident occurred just two weeks after local officials and members of Laborers’ Local 79 gathered outside the development demanding the removal of Joy Construction from the project A month earlier, a construction worker at the project site suffered a knee injury that Joy Construction failed to report, resulting in a violation and a $10,000 fine from DOB. According to Rockawave six workers have died on job sites linked to Joy Construction since 2004 Construction on Edgemere Commons broke ground in May 2022 By providing your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id" "aebaabbbc0848bb2ca8c28389d121904" );document.getElementById("d57a537edf").setAttribute( "id" By providing your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Let us know what you are looking for and we’ll help you find the home of your dreams We’ll provide current market comps and connect you with a trusted expert By providing your email address, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can unsubscribe at any time Starting in mid-January, the MTA will suspend A train service to the Rockaways for a little over four months disrupting commutes for thousands of riders who depend on the subway line The MTA says it will be making critical infrastructure repairs to the aging line fortifying it against climate change and future storms The transit agency will offer commuters alternative ways to get from one place to another in the meantime Here’s what you need to know about the shutdown before it takes effect Trains on the A line will not run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue or Rockaway Park-Beach 116th Street The Rockaway Line, parts of which are more than 65 years old was severely damaged after Superstorm Sandy pummeled the area more than a decade ago “Emergency repairs restored service seven months after the storm,” the MTA said in a release the viaducts and bridge that carry trains across Broad Channel need major upgrades to help protect the line from future storms and ensure reliable service for its over 9,000 daily riders.” Straphangers will have a variety of service alternatives offered to them while construction is underway select QM15 express buses will be extended to Arverne The QM16 (western Rockaway/Broad Channel) and QM17 (eastern Rockaway/Broad Channel) express buses will also each add one peak round trip while train service is suspended Rockaway residents will be able to ride the LIRR from Far Rockaway for $2.75 each way instead of having to pay the standard $7 fare though commuters will have to purchase their round-trip tickets at the Far Rockaway Station to get discounted tickets The NYC Ferry's Rockaway route will continue to operate hourly, from the 5 a.m. hour through the 8 p.m. hour, between Wall Street/Pier 11 and the Rockaway port on Beach 108th Street. For more on ferry schedules, check here. stop-by-stop breakdown of what the shutdown will look like for commuters After spending the summer navigating service and customer communications during the partial G train shutdown MTA leaders are tapping Hugo Zamora once again “will monitor deployment of shuttle buses and make real-time service adjustments to accommodate customer demand,” Hochul said in her release “He will also oversee communicating service changes to customers including deploying customer service staff to needed areas and ensuring clear signage is maintained at affected areas,” the release added By: 7:00 am on April 1 Tishman Speyer’s affordable housing platform, TS Communities, is set to begin construction this month on Edgemere Commons A2, a 100-percent affordable residential building at 337 Beach 52nd Street in Far Rockaway The 18-story project will deliver 244 income-restricted apartments and ground-floor retail space marking the second building in the Edgemere Commons master plan to be developed by TS Communities this project will complete the first full block of the broader redevelopment effort Edgemere Commons A2 is backed by $166 million in total financing led by New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Citi Community Capital will provide a construction period letter of credit while Hudson Housing Capital will secure an equity investment through the sale of low-income housing tax credits The building will offer units ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments for households earning 40 to 80 percent of area median income with 73 apartments set aside for supportive housing operated by Breaking Ground Planned amenities include a resident community room The project will also introduce Peninsula Way a publicly accessible private street that will eventually span multiple blocks of the development site This building follows the 2024 completion of the first Edgemere Commons structure by Arker Companies and Slate Property Group and will be the third multifamily structure overall at the site which is slated to include up to 2,050 apartments upon full buildout Edgemere Commons A2 will be accessible via the A train at the nearby Beach 44th Street and Beach 60th Street stations providing connections to the rest of Queens and Manhattan mix the income and the walks of life or you will have another slum in no time Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. The MTA announced that train service to the Rockaways will be suspended from Jan. 17 to May 19, 2025. Trains on the A line will not run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue or Rockaway Park-Beach 116th Street. The Rockaway Park Shuttle will not run to or from Broad Channel. In lieu of train service, the MTA says it will offer two free shuttle bus services: Rockaway Park Shuttle trains will also run between Rockaway Park-Beach 116th Street and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue. The MTA says the suspension will allow for necessary repairs to the Rockaway line, which suffered “extensive damage” after Superstorm Sandy. The emergency repairs made to the viaducts and bridge that carry trains following the storm in 2012 are now in need of upgrades. The MTA says the work will help protect the service from future severe weather. About 9,000 New Yorkers ride in the affected area every day, according to the agency. Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations The MTA said A train subway service in the Rockaways will be shut down for four months starting Friday affecting approximately 9,000 daily riders A trains will not operate between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue or Rockaway Park-Beach 116 Street The Rockaway Park Shuttle will also be suspended between Broad Channel and Rockaway Park-Beach 116 Street with no service at all on the first weekend of construction The planned upgrades, first announced in November aim to address lingering damage from Superstorm Sandy which caused extensive harm to the Rockaway Line over a decade ago Although emergency repairs restored service seven months after the storm the MTA said further work was necessary to protect the line against future extreme weather events “The viaducts and bridge that carry trains across Broad Channel need major upgrades to help protect the line from future storms,” the agency said in a press release the MTA will operate free shuttle buses along the affected lines The Q97 will provide nonstop service between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue while the Q109 will run between Howard Beach-JFK Airport and Beach 67 Street stopping at Broad Channel and Beach 90 Street the Long Island Rail Road’s Far Rockaway Ticket has been reduced to $2.75 for the duration of the shutdown Riders were also encouraged to consider existing bus and ferry options to reach the peninsula For more information about the service changes, visit the MTA’s website. The Trump administration is imposing ideological conditions to federal funding. NYC and 7 other cities say that's illegal. Diabetes-related amputations in the Bronx are 60% higher than the city as a whole. Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily. Gothamist is a website about New York City news By: 6:30 am on March 14 Permits have been filed for an eight-story residential building at 11-27 Foam Place in Far Rockaway Located between Smith Place and Beach 18 Street Peter Abowitz is listed as the owner behind the applications The proposed 85-foot-tall development will yield 45,759 square feet designated for residential space most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 678 square feet The concrete-based structure will also have a 51-foot-long rear yard and 34 enclosed parking spaces Fischer Makooi Architects is listed as the architect of record By: 6:30 am on October 12 Permits have been filed for a four-story residential building at 616 Hartman Lane in Far Rockaway Located between Beach 25th Street and Hartman Lane the lot is near the Beach 25th Street subway station Isaiah Moultrie of Rockaway Development LLC of NY is listed as the owner behind the applications The proposed 40-foot-tall development will yield 29,418 square feet designated for residential space most likely condos based on the average unit scope of 1,050 square feet The steel-based structure will also have a cellar and 19 enclosed parking spaces Angelo Costa of Costa Architecture & Engineering is listed as the architect of record