Parks announces start of Owen Dolen exterior overhaul
BY PATRICK ROCCHIO
The historic building in the
heart of Westchester Square
that’s home to the Owen Dolen
Recreation Center is now
closed to the public as it prepares
for a major rehabilitation
of the structure’s exterior.
The renovation project began
on Monday, April 8 and
continue approximately 18
months, stated a NYC Parks
Department spokesperson.
Programming at the Owen
Dolen Recreation Center for
youth and adults will cease
during the $2.3 million exterior
reconstruction.
The use of the space for
Westchester Square Business
Improvement District programming
will also be curtailed
during construction,
said Yasmin Cruz, the BID’s
executive director.
“We obviously feel a sadness
that we are going to lose
a space we use for our spring
and summer events,” said
Cruz. “It is also a space that
will be lost for the community.”
The BID hopes that it will
be completed sooner rather
than later, said Cruz.
The 18-month renovation at the building in heart of Westchester Square
restores roofi ng, and includes façade and brick work.
Schneps Media / Patrick Rocchio The Owen Dolen Recreation Center
“If there was any alternative
where we could use the
space sooner, it would be extremely
benefi cial, because
it is a great loss to the BID
and for the community,” said
Cruz.
The youth programing at
the building, located in Owen
Dolen Park at 2551 Westchester
Avenue, will be provided at
other nearby NYC Parks recreation
centers.
The displaced programming,
that includes NYC Parks
Summer Camp and general
member-based programming,
will be offered at other park’s
facilities that are a distance
from Westchester Square: St.
James Recreation Center in
Fordham, St. Mary’s Recreation
Center in Mott Haven,
Williambridge Oval in Norwood
and Hunts Point Recreation
Center.
The renovation at Owen
Dolen’s century-old building,
once home to the Westchester
Square Library, includes roof
replacement, installation
of perforated steel security
screens, renovation of existing
brick openings for new
windows and other work designed
to bring the building in
compliance with the American’s
With Disabilities Act.
Also included in the project
will be changes to the building’s
HVAC system, painting,
plastering and other cosmetic
work.
Borough President Ruben
Diaz Jr. and the NYC City
Council allocated the funding
for the project.
Additionally, $1.3 million
will be used to renovate the
windows and doors on the
classic structure.
Sandi Lusk, of the
Westchester Square Zerega
Improvement Organization,
said that work on the building
is welcome, despite inconvenience,
because it is necessary
and would make the building
sound for other improvements
later on.
“These are things that
need to be done,” she said, referring
to the roofi ng work
and waterproofi ng. “They
is undergoing an 18 month renovation.
Schneps Media / Patrick Rocchio
need to make the building
waterproof and sound before
they can move ahead and do
anything else.”
She said that for years Community
Board 10 has made a
more functional recreation
center one of its budget priorities,
and fi xing the outside of
the building is the fi rst step in
improving the space inside.
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