Members celebrate topping-out of new $27.8 million Elmhurst Library; Stalco and Marpillero Pollak to complete 30,000 s/f building

Queens Borough president Helen Marshall, N.Y.C. council member Daniel Dromm, Queens Library president and CEO Tom Galante, Stalco Construction president Alan Nahmias, Marpillero Pollak Architects Partner Sandro Marpillero, NYC Department of Design & Construction (DDC) Commissioner David Burney, and construction workers signed the last steel beam before it was installed atop the Queens Library at Elmhurst. The topping-out ceremony marked the completion of the construction of the structural steel frame. The library is expected to open in 2014. "Elmhurst is a thriving neighborhood that needs a state-of-the-art library to support education, job growth, and intellectual development. The new design by award-winning Marpillero Pollak Architects will combine all the library features the community deserves while paying homage to the library's legacy in Elmhurst," said Galante, Queens Library's president and CEO. "Today we are celebrating the traditional topping-out of the new, $27.8 million, 30,000 s/f Elmhurst Library. The construction of the steel frame required 300 tons of steel delivered by 17 trailer trucks," said Stalco Construction's Nahmias. "The library will be one of the first projects to incorporate New York City's new Active Design Guidelines, a set of architectural principles that encourage building tenants and visitors to engage in a physical activity." "The new library will house an entry plaza, decorative wall commemorating the original library building, lobby with new arrivals display, Park Reading Room, Broadway Reading Room, teen space, children's library, adult learning center and classrooms, two stairs, main circulation spine, Carnegie Room, and staff break room," said Stalco Superintendent Kevin Strebel. "The Park Reading Room will be located at the center of the building and visually connect to the adjacent park and garden, while the Broadway Reading Room will overlook the street and feature artist Allan McCollum's 20' x 20' 'Shapes' wall installation," he added. In addition to general contractor Stalco Construction, Inc. and architect Marpillero Pollak Architects, the project team includes structural engineer Severud Associates, MEP engineer ads Engineers, lighting designer See/Arch, and landscape architect Wallace Roberts & Todd.