Greenpoint will soon be going greener, thanks to the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund and the Brooklyn Public Library.
Construction has officially launched for the update of the Greenpoint Public Library branch, which had the previous location demolished in July 2017 to make space for the new building. The process is being funded by a $5 million grant from the GCEF, a $6.03 million matching contribution from the Brooklyn Public Library, $14 million from the City’s Capital Funds, and $1.8 million from the New York State Education Department.
One of the biggest and greenest changes to the library will be the introduction of Greenpoint’s own Environmental Educational Center. The center will have educational material geared towards providing resources and eco-activism awareness to the topic of the changing environment. The library is expected to host over 300 hours of educational material throughout the year to the public. Significant portions of the increased indoor space will also be utilized as event spaces for the educational center’s events.
Library designs are expanding significantly compared the to the former design. Blueprints are showcasing plans for a multi-level building that includes an eco-lab, meeting and event rooms, rooftop garden plazas, and an outdoor public plaza.
According to the mission design shared by SCAPE Landscape Architecture, the facility is aiming to provide an public civic space that demonstrates sustainability and reinterprets the environmental history of the region. The library’s official functions are being maintained, and will introduce environmental sustainability methods, expected to exceed LEED Silver Certification by reducing water and air pollution produced by the building .
The original library, which dates back to 1906, was rebuilt in the 1970 due to deterioration. The newest design will double the location’s square footage to 14,000 square feet.
The Brooklyn Public Library expects the location to open at the end of 2018. If you’re still in need of the Brooklyn Public Library during the reconstruction interim, the BPL’s Bookmobile will be available on Norman Avenue on Tuesdays and Thursdays.