Conceptual image of the Bloomingdale Library site redevelopment, featuring a modern library and residential units.
New York City plans to redevelop the Bloomingdale Library site into a mixed-income housing complex with up to 850 apartments. The project includes a new library and health services facility on the Upper West Side. While details on affordable housing units are still pending, community involvement is emphasized in this initiative as the city addresses housing needs and public services.
New York City has set plans in motion to redevelop the Bloomingdale Library site located at 150 West 100th Street into a mixed-income housing complex. The ambitious project aims to introduce up to 850 apartments to the Upper West Side. This redevelopment project is part of a broader initiative led by the city to address housing needs by incorporating affordable units within new developments.
The existing Bloomingdale Library, which has served the community since its incorporation into the New York Public Library system in 1960, is set to be demolished. In its place, the city plans to construct a new library and health services facility, with residential units built above. While the outline of the project has been shared publicly, specific details such as the final building size, the exact number of affordable housing units, and their associated costs remain undetermined at this time.
A representative from the New York City Economic Development Corporation has stated that the project aims to deliver approximately 850 residential units, which will include permanently affordable homes for local residents. The concept of blending libraries and housing has recently gained traction, following an executive order from the city’s mayor encouraging city agencies to explore housing opportunities on government-owned land. The Bloomingdale site has been identified as one with significant potential for such a development.
During a recent State of the City address, the city’s mayor characterized the project as “the largest co-located library project in New York City history.” This initiative follows the success of similar projects in the city, including developments in Inwood, which completed 174 affordable units, and Sunset Park, Brooklyn, which provided 50 affordable units.
The current timeline for construction indicates that work on the Bloomingdale project is expected to kick off in 2028, with an anticipated completion date in 2031. This timeline is influenced by the need to undergo a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), a process that can take anywhere from 7 months to a year. The Economic Development Corporation is set to initiate this review after selecting a developer in 2027.
Community involvement is a key focus of this development effort, with local residents invited to provide feedback via a survey, available in both English and Spanish. The city councilmember representing District 7 has highlighted the importance of community input, advocating for engagement to ensure the project’s success. The aim is to align the development more closely with the housing needs and desires of the community.
In terms of logistics, the existing Bloomingdale Library will continue to operate until the start of construction. At that point, plans are in place to relocate library services to a temporary site, which has not yet been determined. The new development also promises to complement the existing public health services currently based at the site, which includes food safety training programs and administrative spaces for child health programs.
Historically, the Bloomingdale Library has deep roots, first established in 1826 and joining the New York Public Library system in 1831. The current library structure relocated to its current site in 1960 and underwent significant renovations that were completed in 2021. However, as the city moves forward with plans for redevelopment, concerns have been expressed regarding the library’s recent renovations, which reportedly cost millions, and whether these new housing solutions will adequately fulfill community needs or definitions of affordability.
As the project unfolds, New York City continues to prioritize the delicate balance of enhancing public services while addressing urgent housing shortages, particularly on the bustling Upper West Side.
News Summary The long-anticipated Cotati Hotel project, led by developer Ken Molinaro, is finally set…
News Summary San Jose has secured financing for a new seven-story affordable housing complex near…
News Summary Forman Capital has provided a $20 million bridge loan to support the redevelopment…
News Summary With housing inventory at a low, veterans are seizing the opportunity to finance…
News Summary Alliant Credit Union has experienced a remarkable increase in first mortgage originations, driven…
News Summary The construction industry is poised for significant growth due to increased infrastructure investments…