City Breaks Ground on $36 Million Transformation of Eastern Parkway Library

Rendering of the renovated Eastern Parkway Library exterior.

NEW YORK - Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Paul A. Ochoa and Brooklyn Public Library President and CEO Linda E. Johnson today announced the start of a $36 million project to renovate and expand the Eastern Parkway Library, increasing the branch's public space by more than 50% while preserving its historic site architecture. DDC expects construction to be completed in summer 2028.

"Libraries are where New Yorkers go to learn, discover and imagine what is possible, and they deserve spaces that meet the needs of our city today," said Mayor Mamdani. "This $36 million investment will make Eastern Parkway Library fully accessible, more energy efficient and more welcoming, while honoring the architecture that has made this branch a beloved part of Crown Heights for more than a century. With more natural light, a green courtyard, a reading terrace and spaces for kids, teens and families, we are giving New Yorkers a library worthy of the community it serves."

"Renovations like this one recognize that practical doesn't have to come at the expense of excellent," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. "This $34 million renovation will deliver a more accessible and efficient building while celebrating the historic architecture that makes the library so iconic. Thank you to the Department of Design and Construction and Brooklyn Public Library for designing this renovation with care and modeling how we build with purpose and heart."

"The Eastern Parkway Library has served Brooklyn for over a century. The renovation - which will bring more natural light into the branch, add modern technology and create inspiring spaces - will ensure that Eastern Parkway Library can serve the community for another 100 years," said Linda E. Johnson, President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. "Thanks to Settlement Housing Fund, Amazon and IKEA, we are opening a temporary library in the neighborhood this fall, ensuring vital library services remain accessible throughout the construction process."

"The Eastern Parkway Library is an architectural gem in the Crown Heights community and one of the busiest libraries in Brooklyn, and we are thrilled to break ground on this amazing project," said DDC Commissioner Paul A. Ochoa. "This project is not only upgrading the interior of this unique, two-story building, but we are also making it fully ADA-compliant and expanding public space by more than 50%! This is what the community asked for, and what we'll be delivering."

The Eastern Parkway Library has served the Crown Heights community since 1914. The Carnegie library is a two-story Classic-Revival building with a limestone façade and distinctive long, arched windows. The library features double-height reading rooms with abundant natural light and mezzanines overlooking the lower floor.

The expansion will add a large glass façade to bring more natural lighting into the library and make the building fully ADA-compliant with a new elevator and entrance ramp. The redesigned branch will include dedicated reading and learning spaces, including a multipurpose room with a projector, a main reading room, a teen zone, two children's zones, a STEAM room, a community room and a classroom in the restored fireplace room.