Even the not yet built Hunters Point library is affected by Hurricane Sandy

Image source: NYDN – artist’s rendering of the Hunters Point library building

The Queens Courier reports that some changes will be made to the plans of the future Hunters Point library, thanks to Hurricane Sandy. Those involved with the project have decided that, in light of all the flooding that took place during the superstorm, they’ll grade the land that will support the building one foot higher than originally planned. The original plans placed the structure above the 100-year-flood line, but library officials, architects and members of the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) decided one couldn’t be too careful, and thus the changes were made.

The building will sit 150 feet away from the shoreline at Center Boulevard and 48th Avenue (GMAP), but as we saw during Hurricane Sandy, the flooding extended even out beyond that to 5th Street. Remember this flooding?

Image source: Andrew Zimmerman on Facebook – flooding the night of Hurricane Sandy at 49th Avenue and 5th Street (GMAP)

Queens Library spokesperson Joanne King said about the dangers of possible flooding and severe weather, and this new library building:

“The building hasn’t been built yet. There’s no reason not to make it even higher. Since the lowest floor of the library will be above the level of the floodwaters from Sandy, it is not likely that the building would be damaged by a similar storm. In addition, the building is designed to withstand winds considerably stronger than Sandy’s. Nevertheless, out of an abundance of caution, the project team decided to increase the elevation of the lowest floor by half a foot.”

The changes being made to the library building’s plan will not affect the timeline of the project at this point in time. The proposed schedule is still a go, with an expected opening in 2015.

Sandy changes Hunter’s Point library plans [Queens Courier]
Hunters Point library dedication ceremony is today in LIC [QNYC]