By Nathan Duke
Western Queens elected officials and residents have long been calling for the construction of the 22,000-square-foot library, which would be located on Center Boulevard between 47th Road and 48th Avenue in Long Island City, after it was first proposed in 2002 as part of the Queens West development project. The project was stalled due to a lack of funding and the need to remediate the polluted site where it will be located.But Paul Januszewski, the Queens West Development Corporation's president, said remediation at the site would likely begin soon, allowing for a fall 2009 groundbreaking for the library.”It's been delayed for a long time, but it's all in motion now,” he said. “The library is a big priority for people in the neighborhood. They want something architecturally interesting and iconic.”Januszewski said the library could potentially open by late 2010.Jimmy Van Bramer, a spokesman for the Queens Library, said $14 million has been secured for the project so far and that an additional $5 million would be needed for furniture, library equipment, books and materials, desks, shelving and bookcases. He said architectural plans would be drafted following remediation at the site.He said the Queens Library is reviewing three plans for the project: a traditional library, an architecturally unique building or a facility that could potentially be expanded in the future.”We've been committed all along to getting this built and the community has been tremendous in its advocacy for this project,” he said.Western Queens elected officials said the neighborhood has been more than patient in waiting for the new library.”Queens West Corporation needs to stand by its promise to give the people of Queens West a library sooner or later,” state Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Ridgewood) said.The Queens West project is divided into four phases along Center Boulevard. The first two phases include 12 buildings, which have been developed by Avalon Communities Inc. through the state's Empire Development Corporation, while the latter phases will include affordable housing and retail space, which will be created by developer Rockrose through the city's Economic Development Corporation.The library would be included in the second phase of the project.Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
