City Tops Off Concrete Structure for New $128 Million Brownsville Multi-Service Center in Brooklyn

City is using design-build to complete project in 2026, reducing construction time by two years and saving $10 million

(New York, NY – February 20, 2025) Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, Commissioner Thomas Foley of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park announced the last concrete lift for the superstructure for the future $128 million Brownsville Multi-Service Center in Brooklyn, which was celebrated in a topping off ceremony on February 18, 2025. DDC is managing the project for DSS using the design-build method of project delivery, reducing construction time by at least two years and saving $10 million in taxpayers’ dollars.

“Today’s major construction milestone at Brownsville Multi-Service Center demonstrates that with the right tools, announcing a project and waiting years to see progress can be a thing of the past,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Design-build is already showing tremendous potential, shaving decades off capital projects at NYC DDC, NYCHA, and NYC H+H – and avoiding millions in unnecessary costs. Building on this success, our Capital Process Reform Task Force is advocating for Albany legislators to expand alternative delivery to increase the impact, translating these results to more project types – saving taxpayer dollars and delivering for New Yorkers.”

“This $128 million facility will directly benefit the people of Brownsville with new sustainable community space built in record time,” said DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley. “The Brownsville Multi-Service Center will serve as a community hub equipped with a teaching kitchen, community garden, green roofs and more. And using the design-build method of contracting, we expect construction to conclude in 2026, two years faster than would have been possible with traditional low-bidder contracting, while also saving $10 million.”

The new 60,000-square-feet, four story Brownsville Multi-Service Center will include office spaces that will be managed by HRA and will have the capacity for up to 480 occupants. Three conference rooms with flexible configurations – one that can open into a larger conference room and two that can be converted into large multi-purpose rooms – will be added. The Center will be equipped with a teaching kitchen, as well as a 1,600-square-foot outdoor community garden for local residents in an effort to promote green spaces and encourage community involvement. The second, third and fourth floor will have green roofs. The former City-owned community center that was previously at the site at 444 Boyland Street was demolished to make way for the new structure.

The new facility will also feature solar panels as part of a sustainable electric power pilot project that is part of the City’s Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines. The building will also feature large windows to allow for natural lighting and it is expected to meet or exceed LEED Gold certification for environmental sustainability when completed.

DDC is working with a design-build team led by Gilbane Building Company and Marvel Architects. Demolition of the former center on the site began in 2023 and work on the new center is expected to be completed in spring 2026.

The Brownsville Multi-Service Center is included in the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Percent for Art program and will feature the artwork installation “I Am Protected” by Brooklyn-based artist Jazmine Hayes, who was born and raised in East New York. The installation will include four art pieces that will be placed throughout the building and community garden.

"Public art has the power to transform our civic spaces and buildings into the 'palaces of the people' that New Yorkers deserve," said NYC Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo. "With Jazmine Hayes' extraordinary Percent for Art commission, 'I Am Protected,' the artist has worked with local community members to create multiple installations throughout this amazing new multi-service center, giving residents the opportunity to see themselves and their community represented in the artist's dynamic vision."

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 $33 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.