Two DDC Projects Receive Moses Awards From New York Landmarks Conservancy for “Outstanding Preservation”

DDC: Denisse Moreno, 718-391-1854, morenode@ddc.nyc.gov

(Long Island City, NY – April 16, 2026) Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle of the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today that two DDC projects, a $6.2 million restoration project at the Poppenhusen Institute and the $108 million historic restoration and upgrades in DUMBO, have been selected by The New York Landmarks Conservancy to receive the Lucy G. Moses Preservation Project Award.

The awards, which will be presented at the 36th Annual Moses Awards on April 16, are the highest honor for outstanding preservation work from the Conservancy. The annual awards are given to projects that demonstrate excellence in the restoration, preservation or adaptive use of historic buildings, streetscapes and landscapes that preserve commercial, residential, institutional, religious and public buildings.

“As we build and upgrade facilities in every borough, it’s vital that we protect and preserve the architectural heritage and beauty of New York City,” said DDC Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle. “Our work at the Poppenhusen Institute over the years has been a huge contribution to culture in College Point, and our DUMBO project restored more than 800,000 cobblestones on the historic neighborhood streets. We thank the New York Landmarks Conservancy for these awards, and the recognition these represent of the work performed by our DDC staff.”

inside the institute featuring the renovated windows

DDC managed a $6.2 million project that included new windows at the historic Poppenhusen Institute building in College Point, Queens

“We are pleased to honor the latest examples of DDC’s excellent care of the City’s own architectural heritage,” said Peg Breen, President of the Landmarks Conservancy. “They deserve extra kudos for restoring the historic streetscape.”

"As executive director of the landmarked Poppenhusen Institute, a community treasure in College Point, Queens, I am grateful for all our funders: Borough President Donavan Richards Jr., Councilmember Vickie Paladino and former Mayor Eric Adams,” said Susan K. Brustmann, Executive Director at the Poppenhusen Institute. “Also, the supporting agencies including the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and the NYC Department of Design and Construction, who supported our preservation efforts to return this off-the beaten-path historic structure to its original state of grandeur. I'd be remiss not to mention CTA Architects and the contractor Lanmark Group, who honored this 1868 structure, understanding its historic and architectural significance. Everyone who has visited the institute since the completion of the window project in November of 2025 is awestruck by the magnificence of the windows and the brilliance of the sunlight that illuminates each historic space, especially the Grand Hall. Finally thank you to the Landmarks Conservancy for recognizing the Poppenhusen Institute with the Lucy G. Moses Award, as well as the support that they have demonstrated to our preservation efforts over the decades. Thank you one and all."

“The benches have created a whole new gathering space for our community,” said Alexandria Sica, President of the DUMBO Business Improvement District. “People use them to eat and catch up together, kids love climbing to the tops and when we have projections on the bridge - the benches give everyone the best view. All this and they look amazing and add to the very DUMBO character of the plaza. We are thrilled to see this work recognized.”

Poppenhusen Institute

The Poppenhusen Institute in College Point, Queens is an 1868 structure that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated landmark by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. It was one of the nation’s first structures built exclusively of cast or artificial stone. Named after German immigrant Conrad Poppenhusen, it began the first free kindergarten in the United States in 1870. Throughout its history, the building has served other purposes, including as a free public library, a village hall, savings bank and a Sheriff’s Office.

The project, which DDC managed for the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, completely replaced and provided thermal upgrades to the building’s 97 exterior wood and steel windows, including five monumental windows and 16 dormers on the attic level. The building’s brownstone sills, wood windows, window hood elements and masonry were upgraded in a manner that preserves the historic nature of the Institute. The project also fixed water infiltration at many of the brownstone windowsills and trim which had been exfoliated and deteriorated. DDC worked with CTA Architects and Lanmark Group on the project.

More than 800,000 cobblestones in DUMBO were removed and returned to their original streets. In all, 25 blocks had their cobblestones restored and one additional block was converted from asphalt to cobblestones.

DUMBO

The $108 million restoration of 26 blocks in Brooklyn’s historic DUMBO neighborhood, which DDC managed for NYC Department of Transportation and the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, brought many improvements to the neighborhood and also installed new storm sewers to help alleviate flooding. The project removed and replaced more than 800,000 cobblestones and brought in approximately 8,000 additional stones from off-site to complete the work. DDC’s historic preservation team held numerous outreach sessions with the local community while the project was being designed, and community members expressed strongly that they would prefer for old cobblestones to remain in their original locations. As a result, cobblestones that were removed during work were taken off-site for storage and then returned to the original block where they were found.

Late 1700s-mid 1800s animal bones, a copper belt buckle, a slip-decorated redware plate fragment, a bone/wood handle iron knife, and two mid-20th century soda bottles that were unearthed by construction crews (modern trowel included at far right for scale)

DDC worked closely with archaeologists and found approximately 2,800 artifacts during construction, some as old as the late-1600s but most dating from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s. Most of the collection comprises various types of domestic, utilitarian and architectural ceramics, including objects made of earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Artifacts made of glass, metal, wood, stone, and leather, along with faunal remains like animal bones, teeth and shell make up the remainder.

DDC worked with AECOM, Halcyon Construction, Corrtech Inc., Hazen and Sawyer/AKRF and Tectonic Engineering on the DUMBO project.

About the NYC Department of Design and Construction
The Department of Design and Construction is the City’s primary capital construction project manager, providing New York’s diverse communities in all five boroughs with new or renovated public buildings such as firehouses, libraries, police precincts, and new or upgraded roads, sewers and water mains. To manage this $34 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.