Queens Borough Hall Municipal Garage and Community Space

Photo Credit: J. Michael Worthington, Jr.

The Queens Borough Hall Municipal Garage and Community Space project illustrates a carefully executed design-build approach to meet a community’s multifaceted needs. The project became an integral early works project as part of New York City’s Borough-Based Jails (BBJ) Program. The $80.5 million initiative was designed to replace an existing surface parking lot, essential for the nearby Queens Borough Hall and Queens County Criminal Court. The new facility provides a Parksmart Bronze-certified public garage with 600 spaces and includes a 25,000 sq. ft. LEED Gold community space, addressing the city’s goals for both functionality and sustainability.

A Community-Centric Vision Realized

This project, New York City’s first under its recently authorized design-build legislation, was an opportunity for the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) to demonstrate the efficiency and innovation of this delivery method. The project team, led by Hunter Roberts Construction Group, overcame numerous challenges, including stringent NYC Public Design Commission requirements and ambitious sustainability goals. Through seamless collaboration with the DDC, the project was completed within the 24-month timeline, showcasing how design-build can accelerate project delivery without sacrificing high standards.

The garage features 31 Level 2 and three Level 3 electric vehicle chargers with infrastructure in place for future expansion. The project also enhances the civic center campus by incorporating public spaces like a monumental stair leading to a terrace overlooking the park. The design integrates the garage with the surrounding community, ensuring the facility equally serves functional needs and aesthetic goals. This project has set a precedent for future design-build projects in New York City, proving the effectiveness of the delivery method in urban settings.

Winner – I.N.S.P.I.R.E.D. Owner

Embracing the city’s first design-build project, the NYC Department of Design and Construction invested in design-build training for key staff, ensuring they were committed to design-build best practices. The department built an organization that prioritized stakeholder engagement; aligned scope, budget and schedule through risk assessments; secured committed team leadership; and fostered competition through industry outreach. The project exceeded MWDBE goals, with 37% participation in design and 38% in construction, surpassing the 30% target. The jury emphasized how this project shifted perceptions in an industry traditionally focused on individual achievement rather than teamwork. They noted, “This project opened an entire state region to the virtues of design-build done right, setting a new precedent for future projects.”

Design-Build Team

Photos