Courtesy DDC/Matthew Lapiska
MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Queens Public Library and city officials broke ground on December 11 on a new Rego Park Library, launching a $39 million project that will replace the aging branch with a larger, modern facility expected to open by the end of 2028.
The project, managed by the New York City Department of Design and Construction on behalf of Queens Public Library, will demolish the existing 7,500-square-foot, one-story building at 91-41 63rd Drive and replace it with an 18,000-square-foot, three-story library. The Rego Park branch is among the busiest in the Queens system, ranking near the top in checkouts, visits and computer use.
“Today marks the culmination of many years of hard work, collaboration and determination to build a new library for this community. Rego Park has grown and changed significantly since the current branch opened 50 years ago, and we are thrilled to begin construction on a spectacular new library with double the space, modern amenities and a commanding street presence,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “I want to congratulate the Department of Design and Construction for its outstanding design of the building, and extend my deep gratitude to our current and former elected leaders for their fierce advocacy of the project over the years and for their unwavering commitment to providing a library the Rego Park community deserves.”
The new building will include three full floors of programming space, with a lower-level multipurpose room and teen reading area, a ground floor dedicated to adult reading and resources, and a second floor featuring a children’s area and a room for children’s programming. The design includes tall windows, a jade-colored brick façade, a double-height reading space, and a central staircase and elevator connecting all levels.
“The new Rego Park Library has a remarkable design that will make it a standout in the community, and it features environmental sustainability features to reduce environmental impacts and the burden on local water, sewer, and electrical systems. I think you will agree that it’s been worth waiting for,” said DDC Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle. “We have a growing portfolio of projects for Queens Public Library, and those projects contribute to learning and community cohesion for everyone in Queens.”
Sustainability features include a green roof, high-efficiency lighting and mechanical systems, on-site stormwater retention and a highly insulated building envelope. The project is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification. The building will also feature a large-scale interior art installation by Katrin Sigurdardottir as part of the city’s Percent for Art program, with images of native Queens plants rendered through a modular brick system.
Elected officials praised the long-anticipated project as a major investment in the community. “The new library in Rego Park has been a long time coming and I’m thrilled that its reconstruction is finally moving forward,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng. “All communities deserve a modern facility with updated resources, especially heavily used branches such as the Rego Park location.”
“The Rego Park Library is one of the busiest branches in Queens, and this transformational project will give the community the space, technology, and design it deserves,” said Deputy Mayor Adolfo Carrión. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. called the project “one of the most stunning Queens Public Library branches anywhere in the borough,” while former Council Member Karen Koslowitz said, “This day is a dream come true.”
The building was designed by WEISS/MANFREDI under DDC’s Design and Construction Excellence Program and received an Award for Public Excellence in Design from the Public Design Commission in 2023. Stalco Construction Inc. is serving as the general contractor.
During construction, Queens Public Library will operate a mobile library at the site on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning Jan. 8, 2026. Nearby branches include Elmhurst, Forest Hills and North Forest Park.
