Section IV:
Departures

 

Architect Marla Appelbaum, Project Manager for the Library Project, completed her contract on February 3. Marla not only served as the primary contact between the Library and the design and construction teams, she also coordinated the $73 million project among the Brooklyn College administration, the University, the State, the architects, the engineers, and the contractors. As project manager, it was also her task to:

  • Review the library programming documents and monitor their application by the design team
  • Develop a plan to maintain library services during construction
  • Execute the Library's move out of the old building and into the completed facility
  • Coordinate on-going library operations with the installation of new furniture, fixtures, and equipment

  • Before the Library Project, Marla staffed the College's master planning project (1994-95) and completed a variety of other campus space projects: her impact on Brooklyn College was both broad and deep. She was often praised for her skill in working with staff at all levels in the organization, from construction workers to the president of the College. Her wise counsel, problem-solving abilities, good humor, and calm voice in the face of chaos were widely appreciated. Colleagues often noted her ability to keep all players on track, to harmonize conflicting interests, and to do math! (She managed the project budget.)

    We are all delighted when an event like the April 11, 2003, seminar Building the 21st Century Library enables us to spend time with Marla, who led us through every phase of the Library Project. As Turner staffer Frank Yozzo said, " She knows the building, she knows what's in the building, and she put her heart and soul into the building." Without Marla's talents and hard work, the new Brooklyn College Library would surely have been a lesser structure