Brooklyn Public Library Evaluating Proposals for Downtown Branch Sale, Development
A “sizable number” of developers have responded to the Brooklyn Public Library’s request for proposals for its Brooklyn Heights branch, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported. The library intends to sell the site to a private developer, who will then build a residential tower on the site, with a public library branch in the building, for the…
A “sizable number” of developers have responded to the Brooklyn Public Library’s request for proposals for its Brooklyn Heights branch, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported. The library intends to sell the site to a private developer, who will then build a residential tower on the site, with a public library branch in the building, for the purpose of raising funds to maintain branches elsewhere in the system. The library is reviewing the proposals for 280 Cadman Plaza West now.
To critics concerned a developer will build an outsize 40-story building, the library said it expects the building will be about the same height as others on the block. The developer will not need to buy air rights from a third party. For its part, the Brooklyn Heights Association said it wants a member on the developer selection committee, and urged the BPL to hire a specialized library architect to design the library interior. The new branch would be owned by the city in the form of a condo and operated by the Brooklyn Public Library, the story said.
Some “library supporters” quoted in the article said the library’s own estimates of repair costs are likely inflated. The library says the Heights branch needs $9,000,000 in repairs, including $3,500,000 to fix the air conditioning.
“Sizable Number” of Developers Eyeing Brooklyn Heights Library Site [Brooklyn Eagle]
I love this building, and its depression-era social realist details, with quotes about literacy and learning for all. It’s sort of emblematic of our age that this building that’s for the public, sustained by the public gets to be sold for someone’s private gain.
There’snot a ton of stuff around from this era, and I think it’s a crime to tear it down, especially given its replacement will no doubt be another glass-walled, featureless condo. Since the building next door is already 20 stories, the difference in height from ground level between 20 stories and 40 will be nil. In an ideal world, this library would be expanded and improved, not demolished. Save the friezes, and the facade, keep the entrance separate from the condo, and maybe… but even in that case, you’re looking at having no library here for–what, five years at least?
I’m not that familiar with the heights community, but this library is used, isn’t it? Is there a replacement library that will be opened during the construction?