There's a new addition at Queens Borough Hall and it’s a spot that was built to be a location the community can use and enjoy. NY1's Angi Gonzalez was there for the grand opening and explains why it was named after a woman who dedicated her life to public service.
The new “Helen Marshall Cultural Center” officially opened on Tuesday.
The 11,000 square foot space will be used to host exhibits, entertainment and civic events within borough hall.
“It's going to be a place where her legacy is going to thrive. Kids are going to come here and do productions, seniors are going to use this," said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.
The atrium was named in honor of Queens 18th Borough President, Helen Marshall, who spearheaded construction of the space.
"Nobody wanted this, as I said in remarks, they didn’t envision this, this used to be an empty space, with a torn up ground that no body used," said Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry, who represents the 35th District.
Marshall couldn’t make it to the unveiling but had several family there to show her appreciation.
"Her feeling is she's going to be 87 on Friday, so this is a beautiful, beautiful birthday present for her," said Agnes Marshall, Marshall's daughter.
In addition to her 3 terms as Queens Borough president Marshall served five terms in the New York State Assembly and was a member of the New York City Council.
The project cost about $23 million and marks the first major investment in borough hall in around 70 years.
"It’s an older building. its clearly one that has a lot of character and we wanted to modernize it a little and Helen had that vision,” added Katz.
It’s another investment in the borough that can be added to more than $600 Million that Marshall awarded to capital projects to improve the community she served.