A completed Pre-K for All center in Brooklyn’s Columbia Street Waterfront District has remained empty for years, frustrating families who say they are struggling to find nearby preschool seats for their children.

The sign outside 129 Van Brunt St. says “Pre-K for All,” but the building has yet to open to students. 

What You Need To Know

  • A completed Pre-K for All center in Brooklyn’s Columbia Street Waterfront District has sat empty for years despite $12 million in construction costs

  • The city has also paid more than $1 million annually in rent for the building since 2022, according to city records

  • Parents say nearby preschool seats are limited, forcing families into long commutes and waitlists

  • The Education Department says the site is “under active consideration” for opening new classroom seats

“Every year that has passed since the sign went up, I’ve wondered, is it going to be the year?” parent Jessica Setton said.

Parents said they have watched from a playground across the street as the city renovated the building. According to the School Construction Authority, the city spent $12 million on construction costs. City records also show the Education Department has paid more than $1 million in annual rent since 2022.

Despite construction appearing complete, families said the school has remained vacant while parents contend with long waitlists and commutes to other programs.

Parent Zach Hetrick recently toured the facility.

“I looked at the classrooms. There’s nine of them. There’s a warming kitchen, there’s a beautiful multi-purpose room. So many rooms for activities. And it was depressing to see how finished it was,” Hetrick said.

Hetrick and other parents said they have analyzed enrollment and budget data, held meetings and created social media videos dressed as children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel in an effort to pressure the city to open the school.

Hetrick said his oldest daughter, now 5, had to travel more than half a mile to attend preschool. His younger daughter is scheduled to start 3-K this fall.

“Any walk with a three year old over a half-mile is very hard. And I’m looking at doing the same this time around, if we’re lucky enough to get off the waitlist for that school — that school is also full for three-K,” he said.

Setton said she watched the school being built while pregnant with her second child. Now, her son is old enough to apply for 3-K, but the school still is not accepting applications.

“I applied to 13 programs, the closest of which is over a half a mile away. And the rest are closer to a mile away. And I’m hoping that this school, which is just a few blocks from my home, is open this fall,” she said.

A spokeswoman for the city’s Education Department said officials are working with City Hall to open new seats where they are needed.

“This site, which sat empty under prior administrations, is under active consideration and we will share updates with families as soon as we are able,” spokeswoman Dominique Ellison said.

Families said opening the school would align with promises by Zohran Mamdani to make the city more affordable for families.

“He wants to make it easier for families to have their children and raise their children in New York City, and that’s — a school like this would be the difference,” Setton said.

“The demand is here. We’re happy that it was built. It needed to be built. We blame the last administration for not rolling it out and not opening it. It was good that it was built by the de Blasio administration. And I have hopes that the Mamdani administration will open it,” Hetrick said.