14. College Point’s New York City Police Academy cost $950 million
The New York City Police Academy is located in College Point, next to the College Point Multiplex. Construction began in 2009 on the new College Point facility, and Phase One opened in 2015. The first Police Academy opened in 1964 in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park neighborhood, though space issues and the building’s decline led to a search for a new location. Plans were released for a new location in the South Bronx, though Mayor Guiliani canceled everything in the works, meaning the search was on again. It took nearly two more decades for plans to be completed for a more modern facility. Though the developers ultimately selected a 35-acre tract in College Point, seven other sites, including Flushing Airport and other abandoned sites like Floyd Bennett Field, were also considered.
Located at 130-30 28th Avenue, the campus cost $950 million and consists of three buildings, including an eight-story structure with plenty of classroom and office space. There is also a “physical and tactical training” building with mock courthouses and subways, as well as a separate swimming pool and gymnasium.
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