Library Plan a Win-Win on Paper
Representatives from the affordable housing group Fifth Avenue Committee are meeting today with City officials to discuss their proposal totear down four single-story libraries in Brooklyn and replace them with larger buildings that have more library space as well as apartments for low- and moderate-income tenants. This is a great opportunity to look at a…
Representatives from the affordable housing group Fifth Avenue Committee are meeting today with City officials to discuss their proposal totear down four single-story libraries in Brooklyn and replace them with larger buildings that have more library space as well as apartments for low- and moderate-income tenants. This is a great opportunity to look at a resource that is in every neighborhood and that has the ability to generate additional housing, said Rafael Cestero, deputy commissioner for development at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. You’re looking at pieces of property that have underutilized development rights, and libraries that need rehabilitation and expansion. The four libraries under consideration are in Clinton Hill, Red Hook, Sunset Park and Brower Park in Crown Heights (above). While we agree that this sounds like a win-win on paper, we’re concerned about the aesthetic implications for the Clinton Hill location. (Not sure about the others.) With the PACC buildings in the process of ruining lowering the design quality of the block of Washington between Gates and Fulton, it would be a shame to impose another eyesore just up the street. Granted, the existing “bunker-style” building is nothing to look at, but one story of cinderblock construction is a hell of a lot less obtrusive than four or five. At least in the case of the library, the site falls within the Landmark district so there would presumably be some control over what was put up there. Can someone point to some of the other projects that the Fifth Avenue Committee has built? What is its track record for building in historic areas? If the city gets behind a project like this, can it steamroll Landmarks or is LPC’s power sacred?
Stranger Than Fiction? [NY Times]
Anon 12:41,
It’s a bit of catch 22. A lot of us get criticized for not being more proactive in the planning stages of projects and just whining when something is all but a done deal. Isn’t it better to get a discussion going now?
As lp pointed out at 11:02, any new project would be reviewed by LPC. Secondly, I think Fifth Avenue’s Atlantic Terrace project (http://tinyurl.com/yg3hte) could very well win awards. Also, the NYT didn’t paint a very complete picture; redevelopment of the Clinton Hill branch may not include any housing. Finally, it is really unbecoming to do so much whining when a project is at the concept stage. I agree with a lot of the values expressed on this blog but many of you act like nine-year-olds.
For those who are worried about the aesthetics, I believe the FAC would have to follow landmark rules. My sister-in-law purchased a co-op in Boerum Hill built by the FAC and the building seem to be well built. It’s not the brownstone type architecture, but it’s not an eye sore either.
it would be wonderful to have a larger library with more extenstive facilities. As you all know, we have a very active community and currently all the events that are held in the library are in the middle of the school kids and a lot of other mayhem. I, too, think it would be great if the building were attractive- perhaps someone might suggest a Pratt competition for design- but it is most important for the space to be usable and technologically up to date.
I honestly have to say that worrying if a building will be ugly seems to pale in comparison to the fact that it would be an opportunity to build expanded libraries in these neighborhoods. The apartments are icing on the cake- and I have always taken a strong stance to protecting brownstone neighborhoods. But if an ugly building is the only way to get an expanded library I’m all for it. Visual is only one aesthetic- a library contains them all and opens them to all.
I think Fifth Avenue Committee has done a good job with the aesthetics of their buildings. Tgey’re not going to win any architectural awards, but they don’t make you want to put your head in your hands and weep with sorrow either. They seem to be very sensitive to the enviroments they’re building in. I think they’re generally doing a very good job with the project they’ve got underway in Red Hook at the moment and the community could certainly use a more substantial library. That branch does have a sweet little reading garden on the side and I would hope that remains.
I can’t think of a reason why anyone would be against this. I’m all for it as long as the library is completely separated from the condos (separate entrance, separate elevators/stairs) and the library is able to lease the space for the same $$ that it paid before the new construction.
By the way, I wouldn’t say that the PACC building is ruining the block. That block was in disastrous shape (still is in my opinion). Give the new buildings a chance to complete.
anything the gov develope isn’t good. at all look at all the housing projects!!!
Is it too much to hope that affordable housing look nice?