Parks Department to Present Plans for APEC Upgrade This Month

The city’s Parks Department is expected to present current plans for Alley Pond Environmental Center’s long-awaited upgrade project later this month, but construction will not likely begin for another two years, the center’s executive director said.

Parks will bring along representatives from the architectural firm working on the project for a presentation to APEC’s membership on Oct. 20.

Irene Scheid, the center’s executive director, said plans for the multi-million dollar project, which involves constructing a new facility on the site’s existing parking lot, are not yet completely finalized.

“It’ll probably be about two years until there is a shovel in the ground,” Scheid said. “They are estimating that it will take 18 months to two years to complete.”

Currently, there is not a finalized price tag on the upgrade.

The project includes constructing a LEED-certified building that is slightly larger than its existing site, located at 228-06 Northern Blvd. in Douglaston.

After the new facility is constructed, the existing building will be knocked down to make way for new parking spaces.

The upgraded building will include an additional classroom to accommodate more students.

The center plans to remain open throughout the construction of the new building.