LES Firehouse Remade Into Community Center On Henry Street

LOWER EAST SIDE, NY — A 136-year-old firehouse has been transformed into a community center on the Lower East Side, officials announced Wednesday.

The old firehouse at 269 Henry St. has been remade into a neighborhood resource center that will be led by the Henry Street Settlement.

"For over a century, both Henry Street Settlement and this firehouse have served New Yorkers, providing comfort in crisis and resources in times of need," Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.

"It only makes sense this storied organization would take over this historic site."

The Henry Street Settlement itself is more than 125 years old, after it was founded by Lillian Wald, a nurse and social worker. The settlement offers social services, arts and health programs across 17 sites on the Lower East Side.

The settlement was able to scoop up the old firehouse property in 2017. The firehouse was shuttered after the September 11th terror attacks when Engine Company No. 15 relocated to another nearby firehouse.

Now, the 7,000-square-foot building will house the settlement's neighborhood resource center, a larger version of an existing space nearby.

"The Settlement is thrilled to return this historic treasure to its former role as 'first responder' — to provide essential resources for thousands of community residents," Henry Street Settlement President David Garza said in a statement.

The $5 million project was supported by a $1 million state grant from the NYC Regional Economic Development Council. The center will include employment and health insurance services, legal and financial support, a parent center with educational programs on parenting, and a community meeting space.

"Henry Street Settlement's record of service to New Yorkers is unparalleled — and our city is certainly better for this non-profit's Herculean efforts," said the council's co-chair and a partner at Fisher Brothers, Winston Fisher.

Local leaders cut the ribbon at the facility Wednesday afternoon.