Gotham Center

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) moved from older offices in downtown Manhattan to the Gotham Center when it opened in 2011. It is at the nexus of multiple subway lines which makes it surprisingly convenient for many commuters, and although those who must work there on a daily basis tell me that there is still a lack of amenities in the neighborhood (food, retail, etc.), especially compared to their old neighborhood, a casual visitor is struck by the new construction now going on in the area. The building itself is a functional if impersonal modern glass tower, but it does offer some nice views depending which room the conference you’re attending is located in and the security staff, as well as the DOHMH staff, are friendly whenever I visit.

Oh man. What can I say about the Gotham Center? Honestly, I would have never entered this building if I didn’t get a job at the department of health. I think that part of the reason why I give it five stars even though it’s the epitome of government bureaucracy is the fact that God — I mean, Dr. Mary Bassett — works here. And I work here. Therefore, I work in the proximity of God.
But anyway. The building is brand new and the upper floors have a great view of Manhattan and Queens. Some floors are awkwardly cold or awkwardly hot or have pockets of uncomfortable temperatures but that can be easily ameliorated with the addition or subtraction of clothing. It’s a little annoying that you need your ID to get in and out of places but it is the government so I’m not sure why I’m surprised.
But anyway. I give it five stars because of the following
1. Dr. Mary Bassett works here
2. I work here
3. I work in the proximity of God

I’m sure Batman lives somewhere around here. I’m sure he needs a new Robin so I will begin my quest to find him. Good thing I wrote this review on the first day of October, I hope I see him on the last day of it.
A very tall glass building, one of the first in Long Island City (an area that has many similar or taller buildings coming up each year). Just looking at the building itself is a wonder (almost as if it has it’s own personality); on a rainy day it looks mysterious, on a sunny day it’s beaming, on a cloudy day it looks welcoming.
This huge building is currently being occupied by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene on half of the first floor and all of the upper levels. The rest of the first floor is split into four other areas. To the left of the city agency’s entrance is a large empty space, it’s big enough for a club. Most of the activity here is 8am-​4pm, the building is usually empty of employees by the time the sun sets. This makes that empty space an ideal location to host events, since there’s no one to be bothered by loud music in the late hours of the day. To the right of the DOH is Chickpea which recently opened in 2013, give it a try when passing by. Next to Chickpea, is the loading dock for all deliveries for this building. Then next to that, there’s an underground parking lot. This is where many Department of Transportation economy cars hide. If we see a really cool black car with spikes on the hood exiting out of it, then it will be official: this large space underground just might be the Batcave!
Behind the building is a very large space, which is empty, it stretches for the remainder half of this block. Would be a great spot to open up a large parking lot or maybe even a mall. The city could really use this to create hundreds of new jobs, unless its preoccupied as the take-​off strip for the Batplane.
I could just imagine it now, New York City’s name changed to New Gotham City.

Ten specs of the building:
1. A newly built LEED building especially for the DOHMH employees.
2. It is shiny. It is new. It is high tech.
3. Lots of security at the lobby, so don’t even think about getting in without an appointment.
4. Lots of large windows, so you never need artifical lighting in the day time.
5. Too bad it is in a food desert. A bit ironic since it is the DOHMH.
6. No trash cans by individual workstations.
7. Beautiful conference rooms.
8. This place has the temperature of an igloo.
9. I love the name of the building, something like out of a Marvel Comic.
10. Everything is in the open, so you can’t hide your covert activities.