Brooklyn, NY Mayor Bill de Blasio, schools chancellor Richard Carranza, deputy mayor Alicia Glen, council member Rafael Espinal and borough president Eric Adams broke ground on a new school facility in East New York. The new building will provide 1,000 seats for pre-K through 8th grade students, and will open for the 2020-21 school year. The architect is Perkins Eastman.

Located at 3269 Atlantic Ave., K667 will be fully ADA-accessible and includes: Two science labs; gymatorium and two exercise rooms;  occupational therapy and physical therapy spaces; two art rooms; a music room with sound-proof practice space; a 1,000 s/f rooftop greenhouse, funded by council member Espinal; a school yard with a basketball court, play equipment, and benches and trees; and the building will house a District 75 program.

“This new state-of-the-art school building will bring excitement and vibrancy to all students who come through these doors” said Lorraine Grillo, president and CEO of the NYC School Construction Authority. “This new space will include all the amenities we expect in a world class educational facility and we are proud to be bringing this school to East New York.”

The East New York Neighborhood Plan is a comprehensive plan to promote affordable housing and economic development, create pedestrian-friendly streets and invest in community resources and services that support the long-term growth and sustainability of East New York, Cypress Hills and Ocean Hill. The Plan was developed through a years-long, robust community planning process which involved close collaboration with residents, stakeholders and elected officials – and that commits $267 million in capital projects and services for East New York residents.

The elementary and middle school is among the most important commitments made to the East New York community as part of the plan, which was adopted by the city council in 2016.

Others, which have also already been budgeted and many of which are also underway, include parks and playground improvements, creation of affordable housing, assistance for homeowners and resources for local businesses. For more information on status and metrics for servicers provided and commitments made – including providing nearly 3,500 tenants facing eviction with free legal representation.

The East New York Plan is projected to create nearly 6,000 new apartments in the next fifteen years, with deep affordability commitments from the City. Since 2014, the administration has financed 3,145 new affordable homes in East New York, including 2,300 affordable homes that have been financed since the plan was adopted.

Earlier this summer, the de Blasio Administration launched the NYC Rezoning Commitments Tracker, an interactive map that details progress on all City commitments made to communities as part of comprehensive neighborhood plans, in East New York, East Harlem, Downtown Far Rockaway, Greater East Midtown, and Jerome Avenue. This new tool reflects the City’s holistic approach to neighborhood planning and commitment to transparency and good governance, providing a window into the Administration’s efforts to create a stronger and fairer city neighborhood by neighborhood.

“When you build a school, you build a community. They are among the few public projects that transform communities overnight. The Mayor and Council Member Espinal are looking to East New York’s greatest asset to ensure the community’s success, the generations to come,” said senator Martin Malavé Dilan.