News Summary
New York City plans to redevelop the Bloomingdale Library into a mixed-use facility featuring housing units and health services. The initiative involves demolishing the current library and building a new one, accommodating approximately 850 housing units. It aims to meet housing needs while integrating public services, drawing inspiration from other successful projects in the city. The project is set to start construction in 2028 after necessary approvals and community input.
New York City Announces Major Redevelopment of Bloomingdale Library for Mixed-Income Housing and Health Services
The City of New York is set to transform the currently operating Bloomingdale Library, located at 150 West 100th Street on the Upper West Side, into a major development project that will feature mixed-income housing along with enhanced health services. This ambitious plan includes demolishing the existing library structure and replacing it with a new library, a health services facility, and approximately 850 housing units.
Mayor Eric Adams initially revealed the proposal during his 2025 State of the City address, emphasizing its significance as “the largest co-located library project in NYC history.” The idea is inspired by successful similar initiatives in Sunset Park and Inwood, where projects that combined housing developments and public library services were recently completed.
The initiative is a result of an executive order issued in August 2024, directing city agencies to explore publicly owned sites for potential housing development. The Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has identified the Bloomingdale Library site as having “high potential” for redevelopment.
Timeline for the Project
Construction on the new development is projected to start in 2028 and is expected to be completed by 2031. However, several procedures must take place before construction can begin. The project needs to go through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) and an environmental review, processes that will likely begin after a developer is selected in 2027.
Community Engagement and Relocation Plans
In an effort to ensure that local residents have a say in the project, public engagement has already started. The EDC is collecting community input through surveys available in both English and Spanish. Current operations of the Bloomingdale Library will continue until construction starts. Once construction kicks off, library services will temporarily relocate to a yet-to-be-determined location.
Partnerships for Health Services
The EDC is also collaborating with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, which currently provides food safety training courses and family health programs at 160 West 100th Street, also within the redevelopment footprint.
Historical Background of Bloomingdale Library
The Bloomingdale Library has a long and storied history, having first opened its doors in 1826 and becoming part of the New York Public Library system five years later in 1831. The current library building has served the community since 1960 and underwent renovations in 2021. These renovations improved accessibility and infrastructure while adding new amenities.
Future Developments in Mixed-Income Housing
This project aims to expand on the concept of integrating public services with housing, joining two other recent developments in New York City that have successfully incorporated public libraries and affordable housing. A fully affordable housing project with library services opened in Sunset Park in November 2023, followed by another similar development in Inwood in June 2024.
The transformation of the Bloomingdale Library into a comprehensive mixed-use facility promises to address both housing shortages and public service needs, thereby improving the overall quality of life for residents of the Upper West Side.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Construction NY Resources
New Plans for Bloomingdale Library Site: Mixed-Income Housing and New Library Facility
Additional Resources
- West Side Rag
- Wikipedia: New York City
- 6sqft
- Google Search: Bloomingdale Library redevelopment
- City & State NY
- Google Scholar: Bloomingdale Library housing initiative
- Brick Underground
- Encyclopedia Britannica: New York City housing projects
- The New York Times
- Google News: Eric Adams housing initiatives
Author: Construction NY News
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionnynews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the New York Build Expo, infrastructure breakthroughs, and cutting-edge construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated General Contractors of New York State and the Building Trades Employers' Association, plus leading businesses in construction and real estate that power the local economy such as Turner Construction Company and CMiC Global. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructiontxnews.com, and constructionflnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
