Page 7 - qt edition #37

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 7

NYC School Construction Authority Celebrates Ribbon
Cutting for Largest-Ever SCA Project-3,066-Seat
Queens Innovation Center

New York City Mayor Eric
Adams, New York City School
Construction Authority (SCA)
President and CEO Nina Kubota,
New York City Public Schools
Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ra-
mos, elected officials, and com-
munity leaders today celebrated
the opening of the Queens In-
novation Center. This 3,066-seat
facility located at 53-16 Northern
Blvd. will welcome students to-
morrow, providing a transforma-
tive educational environment for
generations to come.
This project marks a critical
step towards addressing over-
crowding, especially at Queens
high schools, and is part of the
nearly 27,000 seats added over the — it’s a promise kept to our fami- nificant milestone in our commit-
course of the Adams administra- lies in Queens,” said Mayor Eric ment to providing students and
tion to date. Additionally, SCA’s Adams. “With the opening of this families in Queens with access
2025-2029 Capital Plan provides $178.85 million campus, we are to high-quality, enriching learn-
funding for another 33,417 seats delivering thousands of modern, ing environments,” said Schools
citywide. This significant ex- flexible, and inspiring seats to Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ra-
pansion will provide students our students. From cutting-edge mos. “Housing these innovative
with state-of-the-art facilities labs to spaces for the arts, athlet- schools under one roof will not
and resources essential for their ics, and community gatherings, only foster academic excellence
continued academic success and this school is built to prepare our but also strengthen community
overall development. young people for bright futures connections. This is a very excit-
More than just a building, the and to strengthen this neighbor- ing and transformative moment
Queens Innovation Center is a hood for decades to come.” for our students, educators, and
reflection of New York City’s “The opening of the Queens the broader Queens community.”
resilience and vision over the past Innovation Center represents the The new, six-story building
decade. At 3,066 seats, it is not very heart of the SCA’s mission,” features ninety-four classrooms,
only the largest school the SCA said Nina Kubota, President and six resource rooms, a 550-seat
has ever built, but also a project CEO of the NYC School Con- auditorium, a modern library, a
designed entirely by SCA’s own struction Authority. “We are com- full kitchen complex with two
in-house team of architects and mitted to creating safe, beautiful, dining areas, and a competition-
engineers. Once an active CO- and inspiring environments where size gymnasium with bleachers
VID-19 testing site, this space has students can explore their pas- and locker rooms. Students will
been transformed into a beacon of sions, challenge themselves, and also have access to art and music
learning, hope, and opportunity. grow into the leaders of tomor- rooms, multiple science labs, a
Years in the making, its opening row. This building is a testament medical suite, guidance offices,
marks the culmination of a jour- to what’s possible when the City, outdoor play areas, and dedicated
ney that mirrors our city’s own the SCA, NYCPS, and the com- spaces for community engage-
story: overcoming challenges, munity work together to invest in ment.
adapting with creativity, and our children.” The Queens Innovation Center
emerging stronger than ever. “The opening of the Queens
“This is more than a new school Innovation Center marks a sig- (Continued on page 8) Read Our Paper Online and Play

Honoring Queens Religious Hub, Speaker Adrienne Adams, Sudoku and crossword puzzles
online Visit queenstimes.com
Elected Officials, and Community and Faith Leaders Unveil
“Masjid Al Abidin Way”

New York City Council Speaker
Adrienne Adams, local elected
officials, faith, and community
and faith leaders unveiled a street
sign co-naming 127th Street and
Liberty Avenue as “Masjid Al
Abidin Way.” Established in 1977
in Richmond Hill, Queens, Masjid
Al Abidin was founded by Muslim
immigrants from Guyana and the
Caribbean as a spiritual home and
hub for Islamic learning, worship,
and cultural preservation. For
nearly five decades, the religious
institution has served Muslims
of all ethnicities, languages, and
walks of life in the community.
Today, Masjid Al Abidin pro-
vides a space for daily prayers,
celebrations during holidays like Avenue in honor of the rich and “Masjid Al Abidin is so much
Ramadan and Eid, interfaith en- enduring history of this institu- more than one of Queens’ most
gagement, community outreach, tion of faith. The contributions important religious institutions.
and dedicated programs for youth, of this religious center will be It’s a spiritual and cultural home
older adults, and families. remembered and uplifted for gen- for thousands of our Muslim
“For nearly five decades, Masjid erations to come. I thank Masjid neighbors in need of guidance,
Al Abidin has served as a spiritual Al Abidin President Aziz Madeen, support, food, community and
home for Islamic worship, learn- Imam Shaykh Safraz Bacchus, more,” said Queens Borough
ing, and neighborhood support Arsalan Mohammed, Mohamed President Donovan Richards Jr.
in our Southeast Queens com- Hack, Ashook Ramsarran, the “I’m honored to count President
munity,” said Speaker Adrienne late Mohamed Salim, and every Madeen and Imam Bacchus as
Adams. “I’m proud to officially community leader who helped friends, and I’m proud of the in-
unveil a new street sign at the make today’s street co-naming
corner of 127th Street and Liberty ceremony possible.” (Continued on page 8)