The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation, purchased a factory in Woodside, Queens and is in the process of converting the building into a House of Worship that will also be used as a meeting and life event hall and training facility to serve the greater Tibetan Community of the New York Metropolitan area. The Community has approximately 10,000 Tibetan members and will also target the approximately 100,000 people in the Metropolitan area who come from the Himalayan region. Total cost of the project is estimated at $7.9 million (purchase price of building $4.4 million and $3.5 to renovate). The NYC Department of Building has approved the architectural plans for construction and in 2015, NYC Department of Taxation and Finance granted the building tax free, non-profit status. After having raised $4.1 million, and securing a mortgage of $1.6 million on the property, The Tibetan Community of NY & NJ is looking to raise $2.1 million through a combination of bank financing and donations to enable the full renovation of this facility. During construction the Community will continue to raise funds to be used to reduce the amount financed. Once the Hall is complete and up and running, it will bring in positive cash flow. As use of the Hall grows, the Community will use some of the excess funds collected to assist the community that lives in Tibet, Nepal and India.

The Tibetan Community of New York and New Jersey, Inc. located in Woodside, Queens was founded in 2002 as a not-for-profit organization. The board of directors consists of a representative for the United States from the Central Tibetan Administration in India (The Government in Exile), the President and Executive Director of the Tibet Fund (which raises funds to aid Tibet, India and the Himalayan regions) and heads of other Tibetan organizations (Youth, Women, 4 Rivers and 7 Mountain Ranges). A separate board has been established to oversee the renovation of the Center.
The organization’s activities consist of promoting Tibetan culture, language, history, traditions and customs. The new community hall, located in a convenient area with one of the largest Tibetan and Himalayan communities in the United States, will be the focal point of these activities. There are approximately 10,000 Tibetans and 100,000 people from the Himalayan region who will have easy access to the community hall. The Center is conveniently located four blocks from two major subway lines. There is also a separate parking area right next to the building.
The organization has been stable on a financial basis. For the years 2012 – 2014 and for the first ten months of 2015 the organization has had positive cash flow, primarily due to donations received from the Tibetan Community. Audited Financial Statements for 2012 – 2014 are attached.

The building was purchased in October 2012 for $4.4 million with $2.8 million in individual donations and a $1.6 million 15-year mortgage from Chase Bank with a 3.74% interest rate (Current value of building is estimated at $6.5 million). The Community intends to repay the mortgage in 10 years. The building is located at 32-01 57th Street in Woodside, Queens. The lot is 200 x 70 feet and faces 57th & 58th Streets and 32nd Avenue.
When the building was purchased, the 14,000 sq. ft. ground floor was used as a sewing factory and the 14,000 sq. ft. basement was rented to a food importer where it was used as an office, warehouse and storage facility. There is a 1,600 sq. ft. outdoor parking area that was rented for parking of commercial and residential vehicles. The building had no major violations and had adequate heating and air conditioning at the time of sale.
The project will be a gut renovation, transforming the building into a modern hall where the community will be able to come together for life events, cultural education, adult skills training, orientation to American culture and other community uses. The facility will be available for private parties and other events. The main hall on street level can accommodate over 800 people seated and can be subdivided to house two events simultaneously.
Nandinee Phookan Associates was selected as the architect for the renovation. The firm works with government agencies, developers, community organizations and individuals to create environments that are beautiful, economical and sustainable. The work they have performed is on a cost basis and they have been able to obtain commitments for below market pricing for many of the building’s systems. The proposed design will make the building efficient and user-friendly.
The construction has been put out to bid and the Community has received 7 bids that are currently being evaluated and are under consideration. The bidders are all of high quality and will be vetted by the committee for reputation, cost, credentials and experience. Significant reference checking will be done by the construction board.