Queens, NY EW Howell Construction Group celebrated the topping out milestone for the Far Rockaway Branch of the Queens Public Library. The firm was contracted by the New York City Department of Design and Construction to build the two-story, 17,500 s/f project, which broke ground in Fall 2018.

Designed by Snøhetta, the new library will replace the existing 8,000 s/f building at 1637 Central Ave. and double the area of library. The branch library will be clad in fritted glass, colored in a light shade that will offer contrast to the hustle and bustle of the surrounding retail and pedestrian areas. The fritting will provide a combination of transparency and translucency that will give passersby a sense of the activity within the library, while giving a degree of privacy for library occupants. A tall transparent glass pyramidal entryway welcomes patrons at the corner of Mott and Central Aves.

The Far Rockaway Branch Library is heavily used and plays an important role in the community. The new library will be sited at an elevation exceeding the new FEMA flood zone guidelines and will seek to achieve LEED Gold certification. Completion is expected in Summer 2021.