NEW YORK—A new police precinct in Central Park near 86th St. opened on Tuesday, March 26, after years of renovation.
The set of buildings was originally constructed in 1871 as stables and sheds, and has been used by the NYPD since 1936. Renovation work, including restoring much of the brownstone exterior walls and the slate roof, started in 2009.
Council member Gale Brewer said the new building is “unbelievably gorgeous.” She supported the renovation and wants to organize an open house where area residents can tour the new space.
Captain Jessica Corey, commanding officer of the precinct, said the police officers who use it as their base enjoy working in the area.
“We love being here,” she said.
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Officers at the precinct help patrol Central Park’s 843 acres, which is visited by more than 40 million people every year.
The precinct is next to the Great Lawn, a wide expanse of grass that was a reservoir when the set of buildings was first opened. An original reservoir retaining wall is the main interior wall in the main building.
Designers put a new lobby where part of the courtyard was, and the front entrance, off the 86th Street Transverse, is mostly glass.
The new building has won several design awards.
“This facility underscores just how seriously the city of New York and our police department take our mission of keeping our park safe,” said NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly.
