On November 20, Council Member Rosie Mendez, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, and NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner David J. Burney along with leaders from the four arts and service organizations that comprise 122 Community Center (AIDS Service Center NYC, Mabou Mines, Painting Space 122, and Performance Space 122) will break ground at 122 Community Center, a former public school located at 150 First Avenue. The event signals the beginning of Phase II of a $35 million city-funded construction and renovation project that will upgrade and enhance the19th century historic building and increase the space from 35,000 sq. ft. to 43,000 sq. ft.
The $31 million, Department of Design and Construction-managed (DDC) phase II of the project, designed by Deborah Berke & Partners Architects, began this past winter 2013 and construction is expected to last two years. The project will include two permanent public art installations, Independent Lines and Inhale/Exhale by artist Monika Goetz, commissioned by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Percent for Art program. Funding for the project is provided by the City of New York through the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York City Council, and the Office of the Manhattan Borough President. The project is being managed by the NYC Department of Design and Construction.
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place Wednesday, November 20th at 11:30am at 150 1st Avenue (entrance on 9th Street). Guest speakers will include Council Member
Rosie Mendez, Council Member Jimmy
Van Bramer, Manhattan Borough President
Scott Stringer, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin, and NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner David J. Burney. Entertainment and light refreshments will be provided.
"The rehabilitation of this historic building will help its tenants fulfill their potential to serve diverse audiences from the Lower East Side and beyond," said Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin. "Deborah Berke & Partners's innovative plan for modernizing this building, and the inspired Percent for Art commission by Monica Goetz, will improve and enhance this community resource."
"We are thrilled to have managed the design process with Deborah Berke Architects," said Department of Design and Construction Commissioner David J. Burney, FAIA. "This award-winning design will expand the programming capacity for the tenant organizations and bring an extraordinary 19th century structure into compliance with modern codes. We look forward to working with the contractors to complete these renovations on time and within budget."
"The 122 Community Center is grateful to the City of New York - particularly the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department of Design and Construction- for this expansive renovation of the Center which will greatly increase the capacity of resident institutions in the work they do, the programs and services they offer," said 122 Community Center Board Chair Anne Dennin. "The Phase I restoration of the Center's façade has had a significant impact on the neighborhood. When complete, the total rehabilitation of the Community Center will offer amenities to visitors making their stay all the more enjoyable and gratifying."
The Phase II renovation will bring the building into compliance with present day code requirements and improve the interior spaces to maximize the programming of tenant organizations. The project will also upgrade the building's mechanical and electrical systems and increase its energy efficiency.
The announcement of Phase II follows the May 2010 completion of a $4 million building façade restoration. The one year, nine month phase I of the project cleaned and repointed the brick and the portico that served as the building's original entrance, dramatically enhanced the exterior, and replaced all existing windows in the building.
The renovation and Percent for Art commission received a Design Commission award from
Mayor Bloomberg at the 29th Annual Awards for Excellence in Design at the Museum of the Moving Image on June 20, 2011. Since 1982, the Design Commission has recognized outstanding public projects at this annual event; the winning projects are selected by the Commission from the hundreds of projects it reviews each year.
Located in the East Village, the 122 Community Center is a City-owned former public school building, designed by C.B.J. Snyder and completed in 1894. The building operated as a public school until 1976. In 1977
Mabou Mines, Painting Space 122, and Performance Space 122 took residency; AIDS Service Center NYC became a tenant in 1992.
