LONG ISLAND CITY — The city plans to build two elementary schools serving nearly 1,200 students within blocks of each other in the growing waterfront neighborhood of Hunters Point, where there's currently only one public elementary school.
The School Construction Authority is slated to build the new schools on publicly owned land as part of the next phases of the city's Hunters Point South development, with both slated to open in 2021.
The schools "will take a very large chunk out of the need" in crowded school district 30, according to the SCA's Michael Mirisola, who presented details about the "very-much-needed projects" to Queens Community Board 2 last week.
Both schools will serve students in kindergarten through fifth grade, Mirisola said. The first, at the corner of Second Street and 54th Avenue on the block bound by Center Boulevard and Borden Avenue, will have room for 572 students, according to the SCA's plans.
The second school, originally announced last year, will be located on the corner of Second Street and 57th Avenue, a yet-to-be-built street that is being constructed as part of the next phase of Hunters Point South. That school will have seats for 612 students, according to the plans.
The schools are part of several planned by the city to help alleviate demand for classroom space in Long Island City, where locals say development and population growth has outpaced the construction of new school facilities.
The city has opened new pre-k programs in the area over the last few years, including one in nearby Court Square. Plans were recently announced for another new school at the end of 44th Drive on the East River, part of a large housing and office development the city is proposing to build there.
The SCA will be accepting public comments on the two proposed school sites at Hunters Point South until Nov. 9. Those who wish to share their thoughts can email sites@nycsca.org.