New York, NY, October 11, 2002 -- Governor George Pataki announced a $6.15 million grant for The New York Public Library’s Bronx Borough Center on Friday, October 11, 2002. This new funding will be added to funding already committed by the Mayor’s Office, the NY City Council, the Bronx Borough President, the New York State Assembly, and a $5 million private gift to equal a total of $48 million in funding raised to date towards this $50 million project.
 
NYPL’s new Bronx Borough Center, which will be located at 310 East Kingsbridge Road -- just blocks away from the current central Bronx branch, the Fordham Library Center -- will provide 55,000 to 75,000 square feet of space, more than double the size of the 27,000 square foot Fordham Library.
 
The architect chosen for this project is Richard Dattner & Partners Architects. Construction is expected to begin in 2003.
 
A dream more than 15 years in the making, the new Bronx Borough Center Library/Latino and Puerto Rican Cultural Center will offer:

• Children and Young Adult Services: the new Bronx Library will provide a full range of educational resources for and about children from babies to teenagers.

• Adult Literacy and Language Learning: the Library will offer training and classes to adults eager to broaden their English language skills.

• Small Business Services: the Library will partner with the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation and Empire State Development to provide a wealth of services to citizens looking to start or expand a small business.

• Technology Training: the Library will provide multiple programs that will seek to improve both computer literacy and library literacy.
 
The State support announced today by the Governor will come from funds provided through the Empire State Development Corporation.

Office of the Governor

###

th: pro