Mayor de Blasio Announces Groundbreaking on New Building for Medgar Evers College Preparatory School

November 23, 2020

Video available at: https://youtu.be/bTV12saJ--Q

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio today announced the groundbreaking on the 681-seat school building for the Medgar Evers College Preparatory School in partnership with the Department of Education (DOE), the School Construction Authority (SCA), and CUNY.

“When we talk about rebuilding a fairer and more equitable city, education is at the forefront of that vision,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Thanks to this groundbreaking effort, our students will have the resources they need to grow and proposer as future leaders of our city.”

The building will replace eight Transportable Classroom Units (TCUs) provided by CUNY that will be demolished prior to construction. The new facility will also include a competition-sized gymnasium with locker rooms for high school use, science labs, and 50,000 square feet of space to be used by CUNY.

Design for the 5-story building will start next spring with construction set to begin in 2022. The school building for the Medgar Evers College Preparatory School will be located adjacent to the school’s current site at 1186 Carroll Street with expected occupancy for the start of the 2025 school year.

The new building will be a fully air conditioned, accessible facility for students, and will have 22 classrooms, four science labs and programmed space for CUNY. Additional amenities include a resource room, supervisory office, staff lunch/conference room and space for bicycle storage.

“This has been a school year unlike any other and I’m thrilled that we’re able to come together to celebrate a great investment in the Medgar Evers school community. Students, staff and families will enjoy state-of-the-art facilities that they’re so deserving of and I’m grateful for the collaborative partnership of all involved,” said New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza.

“This project is a testament to the power of collaboration and our confidence in New York’s future, a future being strengthened by our commitment to quality education in state-of-the-art facilities,” said CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez. “The fruits of this project will be of enormous benefit to the local Brooklyn community, the city school system, CUNY and the New York City economy for many years to come. For the Medgar Evers College community, marking its 50th anniversary this year, it means the opportunity to grow and thrive in almost 50,000 square feet of new classroom and office space.”

“Today marks the culmination of an ongoing partnership between City agencies and CUNY that will bring much-needed, state-of-the-art instructional space to truly remarkable and talented students,” SCA President and CEO Lorraine Grillo said. “This new school building will include all the amenities and resources we expect in a world class educational facility and will be perfectly aligned with the rigorous academic standards at the Medgar Evers College Preparatory School.”

"If we truly believe that Black Lives Matter, we must invest in our communities in a way that will not only provide much-needed resources for the current generation, but will create a stable foundation upon which generations to come are able to thrive in an academic environment properly suited for their needs,” said Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo. “Today, we are holding true to our beliefs, and I am overjoyed to see my vision for our Medgar Evers students come to fruition. This historical $110 million dollar investment is indicative of the city’s commitment to carrying forth the core sentiments behind the Black Lives Matter movement. I extend my deep appreciation to Mayor de Blasio and my fellow elected officials for working with me to substantively uplift our youth."

“This project has been a long time in the making. I am excited for the Medgar Evers College Prep family and the community at-large that we will soon have the much-needed modern facility that has been so desperately needed,” said Assembly Member Diana C. Richardson. “When we talk about equity in education, we have to also consider that structurally sound and well-maintained facilities help students and faculty feel supported and valued. Just imagine a space where both teachers and students are able to excel because they are in well-lit, clean, spacious, heated and air-conditioned classrooms.”

"Medgar Evers has played a seminal role in Central Brooklyn and has developed some of its most prominent leaders.  With this new project and investment not only will Medgar Evers have a great athletic center but it will add classrooms to foster the growth central Brooklyn needs and encourage sciences at the high school level.  I can still remember walking through the halls as I went from class to class.  From the professors to the students, Medgar Evers has had a profound impact on my life and I never forgot that, now it will inspire the next generation and continue to positively impact and foster the talent that central Brooklyn is known for.  I want to thank Medgar Evers College,Mayor Bill de Blasio, the Department of Education (DOE), and the School Construction Authority (SCA) for their dedication to this project and the Central Brooklyn Community." said Congresswoman Yvette Clarke.

"Every child in our community deserves a first-rate education in spaces that are built to foster their success,” said Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. “I am pleased to join everyone here today to announce the beginning of work on a new school building for the Medgar Evers College Preparatory School. I thank Mayor de Blasio, Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo, the NYC Department of Education, CUNY and all the partnering organizations who made this achievement possible."