Electeds Join to Support Renovation

For senior and early childhood centers and neighborhood town hall at 211 Ainslie Street

On October 7, there was a joyful parade of giant checks from local elected officials at 211 Ainslie Street.  This symbolized their necessary capital support for a center that provides early childhood care, serves as an older adult center, and Brooklyn Community Board 1’s home for public meetings, as well as a host for other community meetings and events.

The building was constructed in 1974 and is in need of repairs, upgrades, and expansion in order to better serve the community. St. Nicks Alliance in partnership with Conselyea Street Block Association submitted their plan to local elected officials to receive funding for substantial capital improvements to meet the needs of the community in 21^st century.

NYS Senator Julia Salazar stated, “What an honor to present the $900,000 state grant that we secured for St. Nicks Alliance to expand their services at 211 Ainslie Street!  The site includes a senior center and daycare for children—some of whom joined us for the ceremony! St. Nick Alliance is a pillar of our community, and I’m so proud to stand alongside my fellow electeds in supporting their vital work.”

Some of the funding will go to replace the 40-year-old hot water boiler system and window air conditioner units with a building-wide HVAC zonal system, which provides both heat and air conditioning. The work is complicated as it requires upgrading all the ceilings and lighting fixtures to fire rated versions.

“St. Nicks Alliance is an incredible organization providing a wide range of services for everyone in Brooklyn—from affordable housing and workforce development to youth and elderly support. My allocation of $2.6 million supports much-needed repairs to the 211 Ainslie building which houses their senior center and daycare. They truly do it all, and I’m so proud to support them in every way possible. May they forever be a part of our neighborhood!” NYC Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez.

Another necessary fix for this center is to upgrade its front entrance to become more accessible to mobility impaired visitors.  Currently, this entrance has steep stairs and no handicapped accessibility and visitors with mobility issues must use the rear entrance. There is also no space to separate the children in Small World Early Childhood Center from visitors to the Swinging Sixties OAC. The proposed redesign creates a gracious entry space that provides security, universal access and allows all activities in the facility to operate without obstacle.

“I was pleased to join my colleagues in government this past Tuesday for a Check Presentation Ceremony. Over the past two years, I have secured $1,250,000 in funding for the rehabilitation of the Swinging Sixties Older Adult Center at 211 Ainslie. This center is a vital resource for the community, and these funds will significantly improve the infrastructure, allowing programs to continue and expand,” NYS Assembly Member Maritza Davila.

NYS Senator Brian Kavanagh’s support was initiated when 211 Ainslie Street was part of his district.  Former NYS Assembly Member Joseph Lentol has supported this center since its early stages.

“In 1974 the Conselyea Street Block Association fought to build a senior center and a children’s daycare center at 211 Ainslie Street. Around ten years ago the community and elected officials banded together with St. Nicks Alliance and CSBA to save the center from becoming upscale condos. The community won a big victory, but we knew when we purchased this building, saving 211 Ainslie would entail repairs and some renovations of the building to better meet the current and future needs of the community. We are very thankful for this capital support from NYS Senator Julia Salazar, NYS Assembly Members Maritza Davila and Emily Gallagher, NYC Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, and NYS Senator Brian Kavanagh,” said Michael Rochford, executive director of St. Nicks Alliance.