Millions of taxpayer dollars have already been spent on dozens of preschool sites across New York City that remain empty years after they were supposed to open.
According to the New York Post, records show the city planned to spend roughly $400 million to renovate and build out more than two dozen early childhood education centers tied to the city’s “3K for All” program.
But despite the massive investment, at least 27 of the locations still have not opened their doors.
The facilities were originally slated to be completed between August 2020 and September 2025 during the push to expand free preschool access under former Mayor Bill de Blasio. Instead, many of the buildings sit vacant with little explanation from officials about when, or if, they will ever be used.
City officials confirmed that millions have already been spent on construction and renovations at several of the locations. However, they have declined to disclose the total amount of taxpayer money already poured into the empty sites.
One of the most expensive projects sits in College Point, Queens.
According to the Department of Education’s capital plan report, the planned preschool at 18-31 131st St. carried an expected price tag of more than $28 million.
Construction records show the city spent nearly $16 million on renovations at the site, including a full interior overhaul and the creation of an outdoor play area.
The facility was supposed to be completed by September 2022, but has yet to open.
Local community leaders said families have repeatedly asked when the school will become available.
“There was much interest and frequent requests for more information by local families who thought of it as an easily accessible site,” representatives from A Better College Point Civic Association said.
“As you know, it currently remains closed and empty – even though we could use the seats.”
Another costly project in Ridgewood, Queens, saw at least $13.4 million spent on construction for a planned 3-K center. The facility had been projected to cost about $20 million and open in September 2023.
Instead, the site never launched as a city preschool and is now being operated by Success Academy Charter Schools.
Parents across the city continue to compete for limited seats in early childhood education programs, often forcing some families to rely on expensive private options.
In some cases, buildings have sat idle for so long that public scrutiny prompted action. One Upper East Side site that had been empty for years finally opened just weeks after a media investigation drew attention to the delay.
Other locations remain in limbo.
A Brooklyn property at 129 Van Brunt St., where nearby preschools reportedly have waitlists exceeding 100 students, has already seen at least $8 million in construction spending out of an $18 million total budget. The Department of Education said the site is still being “evaluated for potential use.”
Emails obtained from July 2025 indicated that the city previously told parents there were no plans to open the school “based on current enrollment data and application trends in the surrounding area.”
Another Manhattan location at 1010 Third Ave. underwent more than $6.4 million in repairs as part of a project expected to cost $18.8 million. Officials said its future also remains undecided.
