Brooklyn, NY – United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn (UJO), elected officials, community leaders, architect IMC Architecture and contractor Preferred Builders broke recently 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.
“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.”
“Since its origin more than 50 years ago, the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn have provided incredible support to the community. From housing to health to education, their work has benefited thousands of New Yorkers,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “It’s my absolute pleasure to join this impactful community to break ground on their new headquarters, which will expand and enhance their work to reach even more families who need their help. Our administration is proud to have played a role in this project, and we can’t wait to see what this new space will do for the Williamsburg community.
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.
“Today’s groundbreaking is a testament to the vision and commitment to service that has always defined UJO,” said HPD Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “What was once an HPD-owned property will now become a space to continue providing the much-needed, vitally important social services to the Williamsburg and North Brooklyn community that defines our shared commitment to protecting and enhancing the lives of New Yorkers every single day. We’re proud to stand with UJO and all partners on this transformative journey. Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone.”
Assemblymember Emily Gallagher said, “It is an honor to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new UJO headquarters today. The UJO provides essential services, advocacy, and support to people in my district. Their unwavering presence lifts up the community and inspires all of us. I’m thrilled to see the increased impact and reach that becomes possible with this new space.”
“UJO is the leading social services provider for the Williamsburg community – providing vital services for thousands of residents every week, from SNAP enrollment to housing services, immigration, special education support, and so much more,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “Their current office has converted every closet into a work station and could not fit even one more employee. This superb organization needs more space to serve more people, and this new headquarters will allow UJO to provide the highest level of care and support for the people of South Williamsburg. I’m deeply proud to have provided Council funding in support of this project and cannot wait for the ribbon cutting.”
“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.
“The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn has been serving New Yorkers for 59 years. From job trainings for people trying to get back into the workforce, to helping families navigate the complicated process of applying for affordable housing – UJO is a lifeline in our neighborhood. I was so proud to be able to help fund UJO’s new headquarters, and I look forward to seeing UJO expand its reach and enhance its services as a result,” said Senator Julia Salazar.
“The United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg has been a cornerstone of service, compassion, and advocacy for more than half a century, ensuring regardless of background clients have access to the resources they need to live with dignity. This new Social Services Headquarters will allow UJO to expand its reach offering a welcoming space where families can find hope, opportunity, and support. I am proud to stand with UJO in this next chapter of their work,” said New York State Assemblywoman Maritza Davila.
“Throughout the years, the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg – and its respected executive director, Rabbi David Niederman – have had a singular focus, helping those in need of help. How this is done has evolved but the mission is unchanged. This new home positions UJO for the decades ahead,” commented former NYC Council Member Ken Fisher.
“This Project will create a five-story, 19,400-square-foot multi-functional building. It will house offices, community service areas, classrooms, meeting rooms, a call center and support facilities” 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.
“As counsel to UJO on this transformative $9.3 Million Dollar project, it has been a privilege to support an organization that has spent nearly six decades uplifting the Williamsburg and North Brooklyn communities. The establishment of UJO’s first permanent home is more than a building – it’s a long-overdue foundation for the vital services and care UJO provides each day. We are honored to stand with UJO at this moment and look forward to all the good this new headquarters will make possible.” Said Matthew Hall, Esq., Senior Partner at Goldstein Hall which serves as UJO’s legal counsel.
“Today’s groundbreaking marks the turning point of years of planning and preparation. Having represented the project from the initial grant writing through the pre-development phase, I am privileged to now help bring this vision to reality, so UJO can finally have its own home to serve the community for many years to come. I would like to thank all our consultants and partners who helped us make it to this milestone, including architect IMC Architecture, general contractor Preferred Builders, MEP engineer A&D Engineering, structural engineer R&O Engineering and environmental consultant vEKtor Consultants.” said UJO Project Manager Baruch Guttman.
