Introduction

In the Summer of 2022, Voces Ciudadanas began organizing Sunset Park’s immigrant community to keep the space the Sunset Park Public Library is temporarily using while the new library is constructed in its original site. They began a community survey which was shared in person and online.

In the Fall of 2022, members of Voces Ciudadanas and other community leaders began conversations with the New York City Police Department (NYPD), who owns the interim public library bulidling, and other city agencies about the fate of the soon-to-be empty space. The NYPD agreed to look at community proposals to consider keeping the south side of the building for community use.

Today, Voces Ciudadanas continues reaching out residents and community leaders to learn about their needs and wants through the survey which has reached over 830 participants. The organization is expecting to collect 1,000 responses by the month June.

Results of Voces Cuidadanas Community Survey collected as of April 5th:

Should the Interim Library Space be used as a Community Resource Space?

99.2% said yes

Should the community have a say on city owned spaces such as the interim library?

98.8% said yes

I would like to see in that space (pick 2) or write your idea …