New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin announces a proposal to build affordable housing units on top of three aging libraries in the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. The plan, published on the City Council website , would direct $60 million towards the modernization of each library and the construction of at least 300 affordable apartments.
Menin's plan covers three libraries: the Parkchester Library in the Bronx, the Marcy Library in Brooklyn, and the Sunnyside Library in Queens. Each project is expected to include around 100 apartments, with rents ranging from $1,215 to $2,430 for a one-bedroom unit.
While the proposal has garnered support from local Council members, it remains to be seen whether Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration will agree to include the $60 million in the city budget. A spokesperson for the mayor said that City Hall would work with the Council to review the co-location of housing and libraries during budget negotiations.
The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in New York City is $4,172 according to Apartments.com.