In a major milestone for Brooklyn’s Brownsville community, city officials have completed the last concrete lift for the $128 million Brownsville Multi-Service Center, a project set to transform the neighborhood with expanded social services and community spaces.

The New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is managing the project for the Department of Social Services (DSS) using the design-build method, a streamlined approach that will cut construction time by two years and save $10 million.

Speaking at the topping-off ceremony on February 18, 2025, Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi emphasized the efficiency of this approach.

“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,” Joshi stated. “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.”

DDC Commissioner Thomas Foley highlighted the center’s impact, stating, “This $128 million facility will directly benefit the people of Brownsville with new sustainable community space built in record time. The Brownsville Multi-Service Center will serve as a community hub equipped with a teaching kitchen, community garden, green roofs, and more.”

The 60,000-square-foot, four-story center will house office spaces for the Human Resources Administration (HRA), accommodating up to 480 occupants. It will also feature three flexible conference rooms, a 1,600-square-foot outdoor community garden, and solar panels in line with the city’s Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines. The building, expected to achieve LEED Gold certification, will also include large windows for natural lighting.

The Brownsville Multi-Service Center will incorporate public art as part of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Percent for Art program. Brooklyn-based artist Jazmine Hayes, born and raised in East New York, will install “I Am Protected”, a series of four artworks 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.”

Demolition of the previous city-owned community center at 444 Boyland Street began in 2023, paving the way for the new structure. The DDC is collaborating with Gilbane Building Company and Marvel Architects, with construction expected to be completed by spring 2026.