New York's long abandoned Rockaway Courthouse will reportedly be restored and converted into a medical facility. The New York City Economic Development Corporation and Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced in a press statement that they had selected a developer, The Harmony Group, to undertake the redesigning project.
The Rockaway Courthouse located at 90-01 Beach Channel Drive has sat vacant and abandoned for more than 30 years now. Apparently, the development corporation and city officials have been planning to rehabilitate the structure for over a decade now. Plans to convert the building into a medical center were recently announced; this follows the closure of the Peninsula Hospital in the area earlier.
"For over 30 years, the Rockaway Courthouse has sat vacant, a profound waste of this beautiful building. But today we have selected a developer who will not only renovate the space and return it to its former glory, but also turn it into a medical center. With the recent closure of a major nearby private hospital, this will help improve access to important medical care," Mayor Bloomberg said in the statement.
Renovation plans include converting the historic building into a medical facility that will feature a multi-specialty ambulatory surgical center, doctors' offices, operation rooms, pre and post recovery rooms and facilities for on-spot surgery too. The medical center will provide outpatient surgical services specializing in urology, ophthalmology, obstetrics, orthopedics and gynecology.
Before being abandoned in the 1970s, the structure served as a courthouse. Due to prolonged vacancy, the building has faced a lot of damage. The condition of the building is pitiable with holes in walls and ceilings, flooring covered with green growth and soil and plaster moldings covered in grime and mould. However, the building has somehow managed to survive throughout the years and stands like a bruised soldier now.
The Harmony Group hopes to restore the building to its former glory. The developer has a long history of resuscitating dying and ailing buildings. The project is expected to cost around $10 million and will create around 64 construction jobs and 45 permanent jobs once the construction is complete.
"The Harmony Group is excited to be the developer of the Rockaway Courthouse. Once restored, this important landmark will once again serve the community by creating dozens of well-paying jobs, and by providing quality, affordable healthcare," ," Uri Kaufman, President of the Harmony Group, said in the statement.
New York City is bracing up for more new projects. According to Bloomberg, the city plans to create a 750,000 square feet ice-skating place in a vacant Bronx armory, which will make it the largest indoor ice facility in the world.
