Made possible by $5M Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund grant, project will include green roof, solar panels, double the public space
Brooklyn, NY—An innovative new library and environmental education center is on its way to Greenpoint, Brooklyn Public Library officials, a representative of Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman Assemblymember Joseph Lentol, Councilmember Stephen Levin, Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer and Deputy Brooklyn Borough President Diana Reyna announced today at an official groundbreaking ceremony. Made possible by a $5 million from the New York State Attorney General’s Office and Department of Environmental Conservation’s Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund (GCEF) grant, $14 million from City Capital Funds as well as, $1.8 M from the NYS Education Department, the Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center will promote environmental awareness, education and advocacy—and will offer space for community groups dedicated to addressing environmental issues to hold meetings and host public programming and workshops in addition to standard library functions.
“The new Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center will double the size of one of our busiest branches, with flexible space for the community inside, outside, and on the green roof,” said Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson. “In addition to being a top-tier, full-service, modern library, the building will act as a center for environmental stewardship, with public programs, workshops and exhibitions tackling local and global environmental challenges. Thank you to the State of New York, the City of New York and the Greenpoint community for their support of this important and innovative project.”
The Greenpoint Library is one of BPL’s busiest branches. The new facility, designed by Marble Fairbanks, will provide significantly more space—indoor and outdoor—to house expanded programs and activities. In partnership with local environmental organizations and education groups, the library will provide more than 300 hours of programs each year.
Additional features of the Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center include:
• Accessible green roof spaces with native plantings for public use
• A public plaza and flexible meeting and event space
• Green building design features to reduce energy use and storm water runoff, exceeding standards for LEED Silver Green Building Certification
Elected officials and community members praised the milestone:
“The sustainable design of the new Greenpoint Library is an excellent example of how New York continues to become a greener city in touch with our environment,” said Mayor de Blasio. “The new environmental education center, housed in the library space, will provide important educational opportunities for the community. Libraries are at the hearts of communities across the five boroughs – and this space is a sign of things to come.”
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said, “We created the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund in order to invest in Greenpoint’s future. We are proud to have been able to direct $5 million from GCEF towards making the new Greenpoint library both a state-of-the-art ‘green’ building and a center for environmental learning in the community. This investment will pay tremendous dividends for the Greenpoint community, and especially its families and young people, for years to come.”
“Every neighborhood deserves access to a high-quality library with services that meet the needs and interests of local residents. The vision behind the new Greenpoint Library and Environmental Education Center meets that mission for this community. I look forward to working with the Brooklyn Public Library and community leaders to help maximize the opportunities and programming at this revamped branch, helping us making a greener Greenpoint for all,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams.
“Greenpoint is no stranger to environmental degradation. It is through knowledge, empowerment, and advocacy that this community has been able to overcome these environmental issues. We have fought together because we had the knowledge and tools to come together. We learned the importance of protecting our environment. This new library will continue this mission for decades, or maybe centuries, to come. I know the new Greenpoint Library will cultivate the future leaders and protectors of our environment, and I am very excited to break ground. Congrats to the Brooklyn Public Library, Attorney General Schneiderman, Council Member Levin, the GCEF team, and most importantly, Greenpoint,” said Assemblyman Joe Lentol (D-North Brooklyn).
“Great libraries play a critical role in making neighborhoods and communities stronger. When we invest in neighborhood libraries like the Greenpoint library, we are investing in that community. I am proud that as Chairman of the Committee on Cultural Affairs and Libraries, we have fought hard to support New York City’s public libraries in all boroughs, including securing a record level of capital funding for libraries in this year’s budget. The innovative new library and environmental center in Greenpoint will be a neighborhood gem and a community hub that all can use and enjoy,” said Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer.
"If you build it, they will come," said Council Member Stephen Levin. "In this case, we are talking about an innovative library that will support neighbors coming together and foster environmental protection in our community. The positive environmental impact of the project is not limited to its green roofs and low energy consumption. It will also be a place for the community to learn about and participate in environmental stewardship. I'm proud of this project and I'm confident it will prove to be a wonderful resource for North Brooklyn."
Greenpoint's Newtown Creek was the site of one of the largest oil spills in history; with the support of GCEF, the new library will help to make the neighborhood a leader in environmental education.
The Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund is a joint program of the New York State Office of the Attorney General and Department of Environmental Conservation. The GCEF program is an environmental grant program created by the State of New York with monies obtained through a settlement with ExxonMobil over its Greenpoint oil spill.
Bookmobile services will be provided at the site of Greenpoint Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the construction process. Patrons are also welcome at nearby libraries, including the Leonard branch at 81 Devoe Street and the Williamsburgh branch at 240 Division Avenue.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5 million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages, author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources, such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help, are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: http://www.bklynlibrary.org/
About the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund
The Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund (GCEF) is a joint program of the New York State Office of the Attorney General and Department of Environmental Conservation. The GCEF program is a $19.5 million grant program created by the State of New York with monies obtained through a settlement with ExxonMobil over its Greenpoint oil spill.