New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic Announce $12 million in Funding for New Greenhouses

New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic Announce $12 million in Funding for New Greenhouses

Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) is thrilled to announce $12 million in new funding from New York State to support the construction of new greenhouses, replacing the over half-century-old structures that the garden has relied on since the 1960s.

Earlier this year, on one of the coldest weekends in 2026, the greenhouses that Queens Botanical Garden uses to house its tropical collections, tender annuals, orchids, seedlings, and many other warm-weather species lost heat, leading to the death of hundreds of plants, including mature banana trees. This was not the first time that these long-serving structures had faltered due to outdated infrastructure, but it was certainly the most significant - leading the team at QBG to pursue funding opportunities to rebuild them for a new era.

At this critical moment, New York State Assemblywoman Nily Rozic stepped in to assist during a meeting with QBG's Executive Director Evie Hantzopoulos in Albany - helping to secure $12 million dollars of state funding with support from Governor Kathy Hochul and Speaker Carl Heastie to advance the new greenhouse project.

This generous grant will allow the Garden to construct two new greenhouses with state-of-the-art technology and build robust tropical and annual collections that will be partially open to the public - a first in the Garden's history. The greenhouses will be ADA accessible, and will provide opportunities for public engagement and learning year-round.

"When Queens Botanical Garden's aging greenhouses failed during this winter's extreme cold, it underscored the urgent need to protect this vital community resource. I worked with Speaker Heastie, Governor Hochul, and our Queens delegation to secure $12 million to build modern, sustainable greenhouses that will preserve the Garden's collections and open new opportunities for visitors to learn and explore. This is a major win for the future of Queens Botanical Garden and our community," said Assemblywoman Rozic.

Speaker Carl E. Heastie said, "Queens Botanical Garden is a vital community resource that connects New Yorkers with nature and provides environmental education for all. This $12 million state investment will modernize the Garden's greenhouses, protect its plant collections, and expand educational opportunities. I am proud to partner with the entire Queens Assembly delegation to deliver this critical funding."

"We were stunned to learn that we would be receiving this incredible support and are deeply grateful to Governor Hochul, Speaker Heastie, Assemblywoman Rozic, and all of the electeds who champion the Garden in Albany," said Evie Hantzopoulos, Queens Botanical Garden's Executive Director.

In addition to the state's greenhouse funding, Congresswoman Grace Meng allocated $500,000 to the project and other capital improvements in FY24. New York State Assembly Members Nily Rozic, Larinda Hooks, Stacey Pheffer-Amato, Jessica González-Rojas, Steve Raga, Zohran Mamdani and Claire Valdez, along with and New York State Senator John Liu, were also able to secure $2.25 million in capital funding for renovations and upgrades for QBG's Rose Garden, visitor bathrooms, and perimeter and interior gates and fencing.

"Thank you to Speaker Heastie for coming to Queens and bringing a $12 million check with him for the Queens Botanical Garden," said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). "I appreciate him and Assemblywoman Rozic for all their work to make this funding happen. I am proud to have secured a half-million dollars in recent federal funding for the Botanical Garden, and I'm thrilled to support this new greenhouse money as well. The Queens Botanical Garden is a wonderful urban oasis in our borough, and these greenhouses will go a long way towards enhancing its programming and experiences. I cannot wait for the construction to be completed."

"I am extremely grateful to Assemblymember Rozic for her leadership, Speaker Heastie for his vital role in securing this funding, and my fellow delegation members for their collective commitment to our community. This $12 million investment will strengthen the Queens Botanical Garden as a beloved community green space and ensure that it continues to thrive for years to come, serving both current and future generations of New Yorkers" said Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi.

Assemblymember Ron Kim, Chair of the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development, said, "This funding ensures that one of our community's premier cultural and environmental institutions, the Queens Botanical Garden, can replace and rebuild new state-of-the-art greenhouses to better advance its mission and serve the public. I am proud to have worked with Assemblymember Rozic and our colleagues in the Queens delegation to secure this critical support for the QBG team and look forward to witnessing the project's full completion."

"The Queens Botanical Garden is an important part of our borough's history and community. This $12 million investment will give the Garden the modern facilities it needs to continue educating, inspiring, and bringing people together for generations to come," said Assemblyman David Weprin.

Assemblyman Sam Berger said, "The Queens Botanical Garden is so much more than a beautiful green space. It's a place where families come together, children discover a love of nature, and our community finds a little peace and quiet amid the hustle and bustle of Queens. This $12 million investment in new greenhouses is an investment in education, environmental stewardship, and a community treasure that will continue to enrich the lives of generations of Queens residents. Thank you to Assemblywoman Rozic for her leadership in helping secure this important investment."

"The Queens Botanical Garden offers environmental education, public events, and a peaceful respite in the natural world for visitors of all ages," said Assemblyman Edward Braunstein. "I thank Speaker Heastie, Assemblywoman Rozic, and my colleagues in the Queens Delegation for funding the greenhouse project, which will help ensure the continued enjoyment and success of this Queens gem."

"The Queens Botanical Garden is where our children first get their hands in the soil and our families come to breathe. These new greenhouses plant seeds for the next generation: more classes, more programs, more young people learning from nature. Working families deserve beautiful green spaces, and this $12 million investment tells Queens it matters. Thank you to Speaker Heastie for standing with our community," said Assemblywoman Larinda C. Hooks.

Councilmember Sandra Ung said, "Queens Botanical Garden is such an important resource for Flushing and the borough of Queens, which is why it is exciting to see so many wonderful things happening here to strengthen the Garden for generations to come," said Deputy Leader Sandra Ung. "Thank you to Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Nily Rozic for securing $12 million in state funding for these new greenhouses, which along with the new Education Quad currently under construction will help QBG expand its scope and mission. These investments will ensure that future Queens residents will have the same opportunities to learn from and enjoy the Garden."

The new greenhouse project is one of several new developments at the Garden in the next five years, including the opening of a new Education Center and Children's Discovery Garden. The planning process for the greenhouses will begin in 2027, with an eye to opening these new, environmentally sustainable structures within the following three years.