City Tops Off Structural Steel For New 116th Precinct in Southeast Queens

NYPD: Sgt. Carlos Nieves, 347-538-0367, carlos.nieves@nypd.org
DDC: Ian Michaels, 646-939-6514, michaelia@ddc.nyc.gov

(Rosedale, NY – August 22, 2022) Mayor Eric Adams joined NYPD, the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and local elected officials today to celebrate the topping off of the structural steel for the new 116th Precinct in southeast Queens. The topping off ceremony signifies the installation of the last beam atop of the new building, which is on-time to be completed in early-2024.

The new 116th Precinct at 244-04 North Conduit Avenue is the result of decades of advocacy from committed community groups in the area, which is now served by just the 105th Precinct, which stretches for 11 miles. This will be the first new precinct established in New York City since 2013 and will serve the neighborhoods of Rosedale, Brookville, Laurelton and Springfield Gardens.

“Across the five boroughs, New Yorkers have made it clear that they want a safe city and responsible policing, and the new 116th precinct will help us deliver that,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “This precinct will make New Yorkers safer, not just in this neighborhood, but across Queens and the entire city. And with DDC keeping this project on time and on budget, we will bring this new precinct to the community as soon as possible, helping officers build stronger connections with the communities they serve.”

“In addition to answering the communities call for public safety, the 116th NYPD Precinct will be a prominent neighborhood asset with community meeting space and a new public plaza,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “I am excited to celebrate this exciting milestone, as Department of Design and Construction delivers this project on-time and on-budget.”

“From the outset, the conception, design, and construction of the new 116th Precinct in southeast Queens has been carried out in close collaboration with the people it will soon serve,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell. “This facility will provide these neighborhoods with the public-safety resources they have been advocating so strongly for, and fulfill a decades-old promise to improve and enhance the quality of life of everyone in this community. I want to thank the Mayor’s Office, the New York City Department of Design and Construction, the Office of the Queens Borough President and everybody working on this project for their support of the NYPD and their steadfast commitment to building a safer New York City.”

“The topping off ceremony for the new 116th Precinct today celebrates a significant step closer to providing the constituents of Rosedale, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens and Floral Park with a much-needed precinct,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley. “We are pleased to work with our partners at NYPD to make this precinct a reality and we look forward to celebrating the ribbon cutting in early-2024.”

“Public safety and public trust in our police department are not mutually exclusive. The new 116th Precinct is going to be proof that we can, in fact, have both here in Southeast Queens, where families have been pushing for faster response times and a tighter-knit relationship with their officers for decades,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “It’s the least they deserve. I’m deeply proud to have secured funding for this precinct and I am deeply grateful to all our city and community partners who have made this day possible.”

"After decades of advocating for a new precinct for Rosedale, Brookville, Laurelton, and Springfield Gardens, and securing $105 million, I am excited to host the topping-off ceremony of the 116th Precinct," said NYC Council Majority Whip Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. "With the recent increase in gun violence in Southeast Queens, the 116th Precinct will decrease response times, increase public safety, and provide vital community space for residents, enhancing Council District 31 residents' quality of life. I applaud Mayor Eric Adams, Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Thomas Foley, New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, and former Mayor Bill De Blasio for making this long-awaited request a reality."

“The 116th Precinct is a true reflection of the efforts made to reassure the safety and quality of life for the community, especially to the community organizations and residents who advocated for this transition for four decades. I extend a special thank you to The Concerned Citizens of Laurelton (CCOL), Federation Blocks of Laurelton (FBOL) and Bess DeBethem for their influence in supporting this initiative,” said Assemblywoman Alicia L. Hyndman. “This newly established precinct can now serve as a central hub for the community to gather and share suggestions to better improve the public safety for all residents and businesses. Most importantly, this is a beneficial opportunity for the youth to become involved as Explorers through the leadership of the NYPD, 116th Precinct. It provides additional internship and job opportunities for the following generation.”

Construction on the building began in August 2021. DDC is managing the design and construction for NYPD. The total projected cost is $104.8 million.

The new 48,410-square-foot Precinct has been designed with a Community Meeting Room on the first floor, with a dedicated entrance from the front of the building, to allow members of the neighborhood to engage with the precinct in a way that strengthens awareness of the NYPD’s commitment to community policing. The precinct is placed strategically within the community to allow for more rapid responses, effective community policing and to be a positive role in its residents' lives. In addition, the Precinct will also accommodate administrative offices, staff commons areas, a stress reduction room, locker rooms, charging stations for electric vehicles, client booking and processing areas, a detention area with secure cells and evidence and vehicle storage.

The precinct’s parking lot with a fueling station will occupy the rear of the building, bringing the new Precinct closer to the street and protecting the neighborhood’s residential character. A second parking lot will be located in front of the existing 105th Precinct Annex. A public plaza leading to the Long Island Railroad will occupy the western area featuring benches, a water filling station, bicycle racks and new landscaping.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager. In supporting Mayor Adams’ long-term vision of growth, sustainability, resiliency, equity and healthy living, DDC provides communities with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains in all five boroughs. To manage this $15.5 billion portfolio, DDC partners with other City agencies, architects and consultants, whose experience bring efficient, innovative and environmentally conscious design and construction strategies to City projects. For more information, please visit nyc.gov/ddc.