Today, the Uni was on hand for a special ceremony at Corona Plaza: NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and NYC Council Member Julissa Ferreras announced an $800,000 gift from Chase to maintain pedestrian plazas in under-resourced neighborhoods. This was our tenth reading room deployment to Corona Plaza—our 59th overall—and a great way to round out 2013.

The investment from Chase will have a dramatic impact on plazas that the Uni visits regularly. The ceremony also marks the creation of a new entity called Neighborhood Plaza Partnership that will assist plaza partners with maintenance and make improvements. This is a smart move, as there will now be an organization to help build on the dramatic, initial impact of these newly created public spaces.

We’re proud to play a role in the story of these plazas, and we’re very excited to return in the spring. Read on, Queens.

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

We were pleased to be joined by kids from PS 16 for the event.

Uni Librarian Leigh knows best way to make friends—open our best pop-up book.

Uni Librarian Leigh knows best way to make friends—just open our best pop-up book…

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

Planting bulbs with The Horticultural Society.

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

Jeff Malamy from NYC DOT Commissioner’s Office handing out bike maps and guides which we now offer in the Uni.

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

Jose Serrano of the Queens Museum digs into the Uni collection while awaiting the ceremony.

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

Corona Uni

DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan and civic leaders announce $800,000 gift to Plazas from Chase.

Corona Uni

Andy Wiley-Schwartz, Assistant DOT Commissioner for Public Space with the new DOT books in our collection.

Corona Uni

Just a couple of musicians in public space. David Byrne lives and bikes in NYC, and he spoke at today’s ceremony.

Corona Uni

That’s a wrap at Corona and the 2013 Uni season! Thanks to everyone who made this possible. Read on.