Governor Kathy Hochul has announced $5 million in state funding to construct a new Boys & Girls Club Clubhouse in Astoria, Queens. The planned facility will be the largest of its kind in New York and is expected to serve 16,000 young people annually, a significant increase from current levels. This latest investment follows an earlier $3 million allocation from Empire State Development and is part of efforts to provide more resources for youth development.
“I’ll never stop fighting to help our kids succeed and build more of the housing our communities need,” Governor Hochul said. “This investment will ensure that the Boys & Girls Club can expand its services for tens of thousands of Queens families — and it’s part of my ongoing work to deliver a brighter future for families all across New York.”
Governor Hochul toured the site with Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens CEO Costa Constantinides and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani.
The new clubhouse will be part of a larger 14-story project valued at $300 million. The development includes over 200 affordable housing units, some designated for young adults and at-risk homeless youth, as well as retail space and a charter school. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2026 with an anticipated opening in 2028.
Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens CEO Costa Constantinides stated, “Governor Hochul’s generous support of the new Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens will ensure 16,000 children per year have the necessary tools to become tomorrow’s leaders. We are incredibly thankful for the $5 million she has provided, especially because it allows us to move forward with breaking ground at the end of this year. Once it’s completed, this will be the largest Boys & Girls Club in all of the United States that all New Yorkers can be proud of.”
Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight commented on the broader impact: “Investing in the next generation means investing in communities where families can live, learn, and succeed together. This project — which includes affordable housing, retail space, a school, and the new Queens Boys & Girls Club Clubhouse — will give young people access to safe, inspiring spaces and meaningful opportunities for growth. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is strengthening communities by supporting spaces that bring people together, empower working families, and ensure every child has the chance to thrive.”
State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris noted his own role: “With this $5 million investment from Governor Hochul, we are one step closer to building the new clubhouse center that Queens kids deserve. Variety Boys and Girls Club has served generations of Astorians, and thousands of families will benefit from the upgraded and expanded educational and recreational facilities, including the planetarium that I was proud to secure $1 million for.”
State Senator Kristen Gonzalez added her support: “I was proud to join Governor Hochul at the Boys and Girls Club today for this exciting funding announcement. Earlier this year I also announced a $1 million investment of funding for this project, which will support tens of thousands more young people and working families from and in Astoria who benefit from the programming. The Clubhouse model has promising evidence-based outcomes including increased high school program completion and enrollment in higher education. I’m grateful to Gov Hochul for this investment and to Costa, the staff, and volunteers that support the ‘Boys and Girls Club.’”
Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani highlighted what he called transformative aspects: “I want to thank Gov. Hochul for the investment in this neighborhood. What we are talking about is nothing short of transformative. We are talking about the marriage of affordable housing with a place for children to play and also for them to dream and explore not only their city, not only their country but even their world.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., who allocated $10 million toward Variety’s clubhouse project through his office’s budgetary authority (https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/674-23/transcript-mayor-eric-adams-holds-media-availability), described community centers like Variety as vital resources supporting residents across age groups.
Former New York City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., whose family history is tied closely with VBGCQ’s legacy (https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/randalls-island-park/highlights/19719), expressed gratitude toward Governor Hochul’s continued backing.
Founded in 1955 as a nonprofit organization serving local youth through diverse development programs (https://www.vbgcq.org/about-us), VBGCQ continues its mission with plans supported by these public investments.
