“Taxpayers have spent $5.8 million just on construction for the vacant 129 Van Brunt St. site since 2022, according to a Post review of financial records.”

“The city has spent nearly the same amount on rent and energy costs on the empty site alone [129 Van Brunt St.] — but without any indication of when the school will open in the future.”

“Meanwhile, the nearest active 3-K program near Van Brunt Street saw 79 applications vying for just 12 seats last year, while other popular sites — such as Kinder Prep Montessori in Brooklyn Heights — had as many as 110 applicants fighting for 13 seats.”

“Manhattan, one existing 3-K center saw a whopping 166 tots apply for just 15 seats last year, while an empty city-leased site at 1972 Broadway cost taxpayers over $6.8 million in rent and energy costs.”

“That site [1972 Broadway] — estimated to cost a total $21.98 million — recently opened to a handful of special needs students, but the planned 225-seat 3-K center in the building remains vacant.”

“A 3-K center at 1010 Third Ave. in Manhattan cost the city another $6 million in leases to date — a staggering $255,000 each month — but remains shuttered, while the nearest opened program saw 218 students compete for 15 seats.”

“Other unopened 3-K sites in Queens — like those at 18-31 131st St. in College Point, 98-05 63 Drive in Rego Park, and 63-57 Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood, which is currently a Success Academy Charter Schools location before the city is set to move in this summer — similarly have more than a hundred applications for nearby preschools competing for just a fraction of seats.”