Rego Park Library Breaks Ground On Long-Awaited $39 Million Transformation

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After decades of advocacy and anticipation, Rego Park marked a major community milestone this week as Queens Public Library and city officials officially broke ground on a new, state-of-the-art Rego Park Library, a $39 million project set to more than double the size of one of Queens’ busiest library branches.

The existing one-story building at 91-41 63rd Drive will be demolished and replaced with a modern, three-story, 18,000-square-foot facility, designed to serve a growing and diverse neighborhood where libraries remain central gathering places for families, students, and seniors alike. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

At the ceremony, Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott reflected on the significance of the moment.

“Rego Park has changed tremendously since this branch opened 50 years ago,” Walcott said. “This new library will finally provide the space, light, and modern amenities this community deserves.”

 

Designed for Families, Students, and Every Generation

The Rego Park branch consistently ranks among QPL’s busiest locations, particularly for children’s programming, computer use, and family visits. The new design reflects that reality, with three full floors dedicated to learning and engagement.

The lower level will include a large multipurpose room and a dedicated teen reading space. The ground floor will serve as the main adult reading and resource hub, while the second floor will feature a welcoming children’s library and a separate room for youth programming — a layout meant to allow every age group to thrive simultaneously.

The building’s exterior will feature a jade-colored brick façade and expansive windows, filling the interior with natural light. A grand open staircase and elevator will connect all floors, reinforcing a sense of openness and accessibility.

 

Sustainability and Art With Meaning

In keeping with the city’s sustainability goals, the new library will include a green roof, energy-efficient systems, stormwater retention, and a highly insulated structure. Once completed, the building is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification.

Adding cultural depth to the space, the library will also feature a large-scale Percent for Art installation by artist Katrin Sigurdardottir. Her work, The Fore, will span approximately 1,500 square feet across three interior walls and depict plant life native to Queens — a quiet but powerful reminder of roots, growth, and continuity, themes that resonate deeply within immigrant communities.

 

Broad Support, Longtime Advocacy

Elected officials from every level of government joined community leaders for the groundbreaking, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Congresswoman Grace Meng, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Council Members Robert Holden and Lynn Schulman, Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi, and former Council Member Karen Koslowitz, who championed the project for decades.

“This day is a dream come true,” Koslowitz said. “I’ve been waiting since 1993 to see this library become a reality.”

District Attorney Katz emphasized the library’s role beyond books.

“Libraries are places where young people find mentors, opportunity, and direction,” she said. “They help keep kids on a positive path and strengthen the fabric of our neighborhoods.”

 

Service Continues During Construction

During construction, Queens Public Library will maintain access for residents. A mobile library will be available at the site on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., beginning January 8, 2026. Nearby branches serving the area include Elmhurst, Forest Hills, and North Forest Park.

For Rego Park families — many of whom rely on the library as a safe, welcoming space for children after school and on weekends — the groundbreaking represents more than a construction project. It is a long-overdue investment in education, community life, and the next generation.