DDC and QPL Staff at the reopening of Laurelton Library on October 8, 2024. The library’s façade was also restored with new brick and marble for a cleaner look. Image Credit: DDC.
On October 9, 2024, Queens Public Library President Dennis M. Walcott and NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley celebrated the re-opening of the Laurelton Library. The library was closed to make necessary repairs. This $1.8 million project was completed under the budgeted amount, saving over $160,000. The one-story Laurelton Library is located at 134-26 225th Street and originally opened in 1955.
The existing main, lower, bulkhead, and shed roofs were replaced with Siplast-certified multi-layer roof system for enhanced water protection and insulation. The insulation thickness of the new roof meets the current New York City Building Code and will comply with the Code for the next 25 years. To prevent water damage and protect the structural integrity of the building new drains and flashing were installed. To freshener the exterior of the building, the library’s facade was restored with brick and marble replacements.
The Laurelton Library hours are: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10 AM – 6 PM; Tuesday, 1 PM – 6 PM; Thursday, 12 PM – 8 PM; and Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM.
Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott said, “We are thrilled to welcome back our customers, and we thank them for their patience as these crucial upgrades were made. We also are grateful to the Office of NYC Mayor Eric Adams and the Office of NYC Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers for funding the project and the NYC Department of Design and Construction for managing it.”
New York City Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley said, “The Laurelton Library is an important resource and gathering space for the local community and we’re very pleased to return it to them with a much-needed new roof–and $160,000 under its allocated budget. In the future, we hope we can use a faster method of construction management for library renovation projects called CM-Build, which provides a lot more flexibility for dealing with issues that arise in the field after we start work. Once our construction reform bill which was passed by the State legislature is signed in Albany we’ll be able to complete projects like these even faster and more efficiently.”
By: Chelsea Ramjeawan (Chelsea is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2025.)