New Deal Projects – Living New Deal

110th Police Precinct – Elmhurst NY

The WPA built a new station house for the NYPD’s 110th precinct in Elmhurst. The project, built for $100,000, is still in use.

123rd Street Sewer Improvements – Queens NY

The WPA photos here show the sewer cut at the end of 123rd St. in Queens before and after the WPA improved it. The before photo has the following caption: “This is how the sewer cut at 123rd St. south… read more

125th Street Sewer – New York NY

The Work Projects Administration undertook a large sewer replacement project with respect to 125th Street in Manhattan. The project was described by the WPA in 1940: “Completed early in 1940. New twin flat-op reinforced concrete sewer, each half ranging from… read more

160th Street Improvements – Queens NY

The federal Work Projects Administration undertook a large road repair project starting in 1935 in the borough of Queens. The streets, many of which in New York City were still unpaved, were repaired; particular emphasis was placed on fixing washout-damaged stretches… read more

164th Street Improvements – Queens NY

The federal Work Projects Administration undertook a large road repair project starting in 1935 in the borough of Queens. The streets, many of which in New York City were still unpaved, were repaired; particular emphasis was placed on fixing washout-damaged stretches… read more

179th Street Sewer – New York NY

This WPA photo showing a WPA sewer under construction has the following caption: “Engineers take pride in their work. This smiling WPA worker is as proud as his fellow workers and chief engineers as the big job nearing completion in… read more

17th Avenue Improvements – Brooklyn NY

The federal Work Projects Administration (WPA) undertook several road improvement projects along roads in Brooklyn, New York. One such project involved the removal of malls and other repair work along 17th Ave. from 47th St. to Old New Utrecht Rd.

1939 World’s Fair: New Jersey Pavilion Mural – Flushing NY

The New York Times wrote the following in 2003 in a retrospective article of New Jersey-based artist Michael Lenson: “[Mr. Lenson] moved to Newark and applied at the W.P.A. office on Halsey Street … Soon, Mr. Lenson was designing and… read more

19th Avenue Improvements – Brooklyn NY

The federal Work Projects Administration (WPA) undertook several road improvement projects along roads in Brooklyn, New York. One such project involved the removal of malls and other repair work at the intersection of 19th Ave. and Dahill Rd.

19th Avenue Yard Improvements – Brooklyn NY

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook a sizable public building improvement project in Brooklyn, New York beginning in 1935. The project involved the “Improvement of Public Buildings and Offices” at more than 30 locations, including the municipal yard at… read more

212th Street Improvements – Queens Village NY

The federal Work Projects Administration undertook a large road repair project starting in 1935 in the borough of Queens. The streets, many of which in New York City were still unpaved, were repaired; particular emphasis was placed on fixing washout-damaged stretches… read more

227th Street Playground – Bronx NY

The 227th Street Playground in Bronx Park, June 2015, built by the New Deal Works Progress Administration (WPA) and opened on June 25, 1941. From the NYC Parks Department press release: The new development covers an area of about two… read more

35th Avenue Development – Flushing NY

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) contributed to the development of what of 35th Avenue, extending it from Prince to College Points Boulevard (then known as Lawrence Street), in anticipation of the 1939 World’s Fair in Flushing.

4th Avenue Court Building (former) Improvements – Brooklyn NY

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook a sizable public building improvement project in Brooklyn, New York beginning in 1935. The project involved the “Improvement of Public Buildings and Offices” at more than 30 locations, including the old 4th Avenue… read more

5th District Magistrates Court Building (former) Improvements – Brooklyn NY

Beginning in 1935, Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook a large program of improvements to public buildings in Brooklyn, New York. The project involved the “Improvement of Public Buildings and Offices” at more than 30 locations, including the old 5th District… read more

64th Road Improvements – Middle Village NY

The federal Work Projects Administration undertook a large road repair project starting in 1935 in the borough of Queens. The streets, many of which in New York City were still unpaved, were repaired; particular emphasis was placed on fixing washout-damaged stretches… read more

65th St. Transverse Sewers – New York NY

The 65th St. transverse cuts across Central Park. This WPA photo shows WPA workers developing the sewer system along the transverse.

78th Street Improvements – Elmhurst NY

The federal Work Projects Administration undertook a large road repair project starting in 1935 in the borough of Queens. The streets, many of which in New York City were still unpaved, were repaired; particular emphasis was placed on fixing washout-damaged stretches… read more

79th Street Grade Crossing Elimination – New York NY

The Public Works Administration (P.W.A.) provided fundings for the elimination of a grade crossing involving 79th Street along the west side of Manhattan, with the tracks then serving the New York Central railway. The funding was allocated as part of a… read more

86th Avenue Improvements – Jamaica NY

The federal Work Projects Administration undertook a large road repair project starting in 1935 in the borough of Queens. The streets, many of which in New York City were still unpaved, were repaired; particular emphasis was placed on fixing washout-damaged stretches… read more

8th District Magistrates’ Court Building (former) Improvements – Brooklyn NY

The federal Works Progress Administration (WPA) undertook a sizable public building improvement project in Brooklyn, New York beginning in 1935. The project involved the “Improvement of Public Buildings and Offices” at more than 30 locations, including the old 8th District… read more

ABC Playground – New York NY

This small playground on Houston St. between Essex and Norfolk was constructed by the Department of Parks in 1934 as a playground for small children. According to the press release announcing its opening, it originally contained “a shelter house, basketball… read more

Abraham Lincoln High School Athletic Fields – Brooklyn NY

On April 23, 1941, the Department of Parks announced the opening “of a new playground and athletic field adjacent to the Abraham Lincoln High School” to be used jointly by the Park Department and the Board of Education. The new… read more

Abraham Lincoln High School Murals – Brooklyn NY

Artist Seymour Fogel painted two murals, entitled “African Music and European Music” and “Religious and Modern Music”, in the Music Room (Room 327) of the Abraham Lincoln High School in 1936-37. The New York Schools website shows only a portion… read more

Agnes Y. Humphrey School for Leadership – Brooklyn NY

Originally constructed as Public School 27 (P.S. 27) in Red Hook, Brooklyn by the federal Work Projects Administration. The school was described by the WPA in 1940: “Will serve the Red Hook Housing Project, was completed in June, 1940. A… read more

Alexander Hamilton Playground – New York NY

In January 1940, the Parks Department announced the completion of a complete renovation of what is now the Alexander Hamilton Playground: “At the Hamilton Place area, the old playground has been entirely reconstructed to provide for wider and more intensive… read more

Allerton Avenue Improvements – Bronx NY

The federal Work Projects Administration put many men to work starting in 1935 with a Bronx street repair and maintenance project along roads throughout the borough. The streets, many of which in New York City were still unpaved, were surfaced with… read more

Allerton Ballfields – Bronx NY

“The Allerton Ballfields are not mentioned by name in the NYC Parks Department Press releases because they were part of the same project: the construction of a large playground alongside four ball fields. Today they have separate labels: French Charley’s… read more

Alley Pond Park – Oakland Gardens NY

An August 1935 Parks Department press release lists Alley Pond Park as one of seventy-three play areas developed in the preceding year with “city, state and federal relief funds.” The release describes this park as having play areas designed for… read more

Andrew Jackson High School (former) – Cambria Heights NY

The presently multi-campus Campus Magnet High School(s) was constructed as Andrew Jackson High School during the 1930s. The federal Public Works Administration (PWA) provided more than $1,000,000 in financial assistance to enable the project to move forward. The PWA Docket… read more

Andrew Jackson High School (former) Mural – Queens NY

Ruth Reeves painted this mural, entitled “Student Activities in School,” for the Works Progress Administration (WPA). It was housed at the Andrew Jackson High School in Cambria, Queens, and believed by Living New Deal to be no longer extant.

Arbutus Woods Park Improvements – Staten Island NY

“During the Great Depression, the federal government established the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to employ Americans in a series of public construction projects. Almost 19,000 New Yorkers labored on Staten Island. They built sidewalks through wooded areas that were supposed… read more

Arlington “Ollie” Edinboro Playground – New York NY

St. Nicholas Park is a long stretch of park between Harlem and Manhattanville, reaching from 127th St. to 141st St. The park contains two playgrounds. The larger one at 129th St., known as St. Nicholas Playground, opened before the New… read more

Arthur Avenue Retail Market – Bronx NY

The historic Arthur Avenue Retail Market, located in the heart of the Bronx’s Little Italy, was constructed with the assistance of the federal Work Projects Administration (WPA). The market, one of eight similar projects in the city, opened October 29, 1940.

Arthur W. Cunningham Junior High School – Brooklyn NY

The Brooklyn school J.H.S. 234, presently Arthur W. Cunningham Junior High School, was constructed with the assistance of federal Public Works Administration (PWA) funds.

Asser Levy Recreation Center Pools – New York NY

On May 31, 1938, the Department of Parks announced “that plans were being prepared for the renovation of nine public bath houses transferred to them from the jurisdiction of the Borough President of Manhattan.” The improvements were to be done… read more

Astor Avenue Improvements – Bronx NY

The federal Work Projects Administration put many men to work starting in 1935 with a Bronx street repair and maintenance project along roads throughout the borough. The streets, many of which in New York City were still unpaved, were surfaced with… read more