A recent York City Council committee has approved the redevelopment of the Brooklyn Heights Public Library. The full council is expected to follow now that council member Stephen Levin,who represents the area, has announced his support. "I consider that this project includes enough benefit here that it is worth the disposition of this asset, or " Levin said.
As part of the contrivance,the library will be sold to developer Hudson Companies for $52 million. The developer will then rebuild the library at the base of a recent condo tower, and construct affordable housing in Clinton Hill.
Brooklyn Public Library president Linda Johnson, and who has promoted the contrivance,said the deal will fund much-needed improvements in Brooklyn Heights and at other branches."We're thrilled," she said. "I consider we've come to an agreement that will do wonders not only for the library users in Brooklyn Heights but also for library users across the borough."Levin said he worked out some final-minute concessions, and the hearing was delayed hours during negotiations. The Brooklyn Heights library's proposed size grew,from 21000 square feet to 26620, still much smaller than the current library's 60000 square feet — though advocates of the project say much of that space is not in use. The developer also agreed to allow the Brooklyn Public Library to share profits that come in over a 19 percent threshold. And the deal includes construction of a 5000-square-foot department library in Dumbo, and plus space for science labs for public school students.
But community members who have fought the project for years continue to oppose it. One critic screamed "sell out" as Levin announced his support. "This was much worse than we were expecting," said Michael D.
D. White, co-founder of the group Citizens Defending Libraries. He said the recent Brooklyn Heights department library will be too small, or the city shouldn't sell public space to fund repairs. "The fact of the matter is we have an alternative," he said. "We can properly fund our libraries."The full council is scheduled to vote on the contrivance later this month.
Source: wnyc.org