UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn, IMC Architecture, and Preferred Builders Break Ground on UJO's Social Services HQ

Brooklyn, NY – United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn (UJO), elected officials, community leaders, architect IMC Architecture and contractor Preferred Builders broke ground for UJO's social services headquarters at 498 Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. UJO President, Rabbi David Niederman, HPD Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani, NYC Department of City Planning Director Daniel Garodnick, NYC Community Affairs Commissioner Fred Kreizman, New York City Council Members Lincoln Restler and Kenneth Fisher (former), New York State Senator Julia Salazar, New York State Assembly Member Emily Gallagher and IMC Architecture Principal Eugene Mekhtiyev, AIA led the ceremonies.

UJO was formed as a non-profit organization in 1966 to give the newly arrived refugees and Holocaust survivors a voice and helping hand in their native Yiddish language. Nearly 60 years after its founding, the organization continues to serve as a provider of social, housing, public health, workforce development, advocacy, senior support and community development services for 75,000 residents of the greater Williamsburg area. When completed, the new building will be UJO's first owned space in the history of the organization and it will allow the group to increase its support for the local residents to 120,000 units of service annually.

"This project was first envisioned by local leaders and elected officials in 1997 as a means of addressing the needs of the Williamsburg community, which was outgrowing existing programs and resources. Since then, our community has grown in leaps and bounds,” shared Rabbi David Niederman, President of United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn. “We outgrew our rented office space a long time ago and are excited today that the many thousands of people who receive assistance at UJO will enjoy more spacious quarters and expanded services once our new home is built. I am deeply grateful to New York City public agencies and to the many elected officials who have allocated funds for this project over three decades. We are honored to share this momentous occasion with them."

UJO purchased the property from New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) in 2001. In addition to constructing the new building at 498 Bedford Avenue, another goal of the project was to connect to the adjacent property at 500 Bedford Avenue, which holds great significance for the community as the residence of the late Grand Rabbi of Satmar, OBM, who dedicated his life to rebuilding his society from the ashes of the Holocaust. UJO Currently owns the top 3 floors above 500 Bedford Ave, which will be connected to the new headquarters structure next door.

"This new headquarters will be a game-changer for the Satmar community and all who rely on the UJO of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn’s services. UJO has long delivered culturally informed care that meets the needs of the community, and now they will have the space to advance that work with even greater impact. I’m proud to have worked with Council Members Lincoln Restler and Jennifer Gutiérrez to secure the funding needed to make this a reality. Together, we’re ensuring that the Satmar community in Williamsburg and North Brooklyn has the resources it needs to thrive," said NYC Council Member Chi Ossé.

“This Project will create a five-story, 19,400-square-foot multi-functional building. It will house offices, community service areas, classrooms, conference rooms, a call center and support facilities such as pantries and break rooms,” said IMC Architecture Principal Eugene Mekhtiyev.

The design of the headquarters structure respects the historic context of the neighborhood. “Since UJO didn't want the new building to visually compete with the adjacent historic 500 Bedford, the IMC team chose a neutral-looking brick with reliefs framing oversized windows on the front façade,” explained IMC Associate Roberto De Los Ríos. “On its front side, the building will feature a warm light grey brick with a metal-cladded top at the fifth floor. The metal paneling serves as a subtle nod to the existing next-door roof which acts as a crown to the historic building.”

Financing for the new building at 498 Bedford Ave includes $5,448,000 obtained from New York City capital grants program, with support from current and former New York City elected officials. The project’s supporters include Mayor Eric Adams; Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso; Council Speaker Adrienne Adams; Council Members Lincoln Restler, Justin Brennan, Jennifer Gutiérrez, and Chi Osse; as well as former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and former NYC Council Members Steve Levin, David Yassky, Kalmen Yeager and Ken Fisher.

Additionally, the project received $2,850,000 from New York State DASNY grants, obtained with assistance from State Assembly Members Emily Gallagher and Maritza Davila, and State Senator Julia Salazar, as well as from former Assembly Member Joseph Lentol and former State Senators Martin Dilan and Martin Connor.