LONG ISLAND CITY — Construction on the long-awaited library branch at Hunters Point will start on Saturday — kicking off with groundbreaking festivities including carnival games and local food.
Work is set to begin on the new Queens Library at Center Boulevard and 48th Avenue, the first branch for the growing waterfront area. The project was delayed after construction bids came in millions of dollars over budget last year, forcing officials to tweak some of their designs for the building to lower costs.
The final plans for the 21,500-square-foot library — designed by renowned architect Steven Holl — include separate areas for children, teens and adults; a communal reading garden and a 150-seat auditorium, officials said.
The branch is expected to open in 2017.
A street fair will be held Saturday at the site of the future library to celebrate its groundbreaking, and will include storytelling for kids from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. followed by face painting, balloon twisting, carnival games and food from local restaurants.
The event is free and will run until 3 p.m.
