B.P. Adams Disapproves Library Plan, With Conditions

By on September 10, 2015 8:32 am in Brooklyn Heights, Development, Government, News, Real Estate, schools

The Eagle reports that Borough President Eric Adams has “dissproved with conditions” the proposed redevelopment of the site of the Brooklyn Heights Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. Among the conditions he has included in his recommendation are that the new library have as much public space as the old one, including the space of the Business Library; that affordable housing be included at the library site, and that an elementary school be included in the new structure.

The Borough President’s views are not binding, but are taken into account in the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure. The matter will next be considered by the City Planning Commission, and the ultimate decision will be made by the City Council and Mayor. However, the views of local elected officials are usually given strong consideration.

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  • HereToStay

    Marty was kind of a silly character, but I really liked him and I think he actually cared about us. This guy is a joker… And these reccs are just plain silly and 100% politically-motivated. Awful.

  • Roberto Gautier

    It’s clear that Mr. Adams has his sights set on higher office. So, what’s new? That’s what politicians are about, but his decision about the Library Plan moves him out of the sameness track that many others have sunken into. I’m pleased that Mr. Adams is not in lockstep with his colleagues in elected positions regarding the Library Plan. It’s rare that anyone in authority speaks up and puts conditions on development schemes. Of course, the devil is in the details.

  • Anonymouse

    What’s wrong with his recommendations? Isn’t that what everyone in the neighb wants? I am new to this issue (but not to the neighborhood).

  • Andrew Porter

    My comment on Brownstoner.com about this was:

    Moving the Business Library from that location, where offices are literally next door and many other office buildings are within a few blocks, to the Central Library, bordered by parks and housing and thousands of feet from any office buildings, was the height of stupidity. What could the BPL have been thinking?

    Coupled with the financial misbehavior of the head of the Queens Public Library, I can see the idea of amalgamating the three systems—NYPL, BPL, QPL—into one city-wide system certainly has merit. It would, for one thing, eliminate the duplication of effort in having three library systems, all competing with each other for funding.

    The actual construction of the high-rise in that location—despite all the renderings, which carefully show it surrounded by other high-rises, when the 50-foot Brooklyn Heights Landmarked District height restrictions are literally across the street—is another step in constructing a wall of tall towers which cast unacceptable shadows across nearby low-rise structures and parks.

  • DIBS

    Yes and I replied that “unacceptable shadows” represents a new low in NIMBYism. I also commented that there are many buidings thyoughout the Heights that now cast those unacceptable shadows.

  • Brixtony

    I’m glad I voted for him. Makes sense to me.
    Do the people of Brooklyn need more high rises to house the very wealthy? Do we, in fact, need development (code for big bucks to speculators, hedge funds and investors).

  • HereToStay

    We were very glad the business library was taken out, wanted a much smaller community-focused space, do not want a school included and do not want affordable housing in that row — already two giant Mitchell Llama towers there.

  • MaryT

    This is a spoof? One M-L building there, height 13 stories. There are apartment buildings within the historic district that reach at least that height, what with the higher pre-war ceiling footages.

  • DIBS

    You forgot the military-indistrial complex. Might as well trot them all out.

  • Remsen Street Dweller

    However, keep in mind that when he was in the NYS Senate, Eric Adams helped destroy LICH.

  • Brixtony

    Do you agree 100% with everyone you vote for? Keep in mind that you have to choose your battles.

  • Brixtony

    Was this supposed to be witty? Looks like you only hit 50% there, chum.

  • DIBS

    There are two of about 35 stories.

  • DIBS

    You’re developing a reputation for yourself here. Not a very flattering one either!

  • HereToStay

    There are three towers on Cadman — all about 30-35 stories. The middle one (75 Henry/200 CPW) went market rate back in 2000.

  • Brixtony

    Wow! I’m flattered that the mean kids have noticed me. It’s a shame that you lot have such difficulty with those who disagree with you. But I do enjoy the sarcasm.

  • HereToStay

    Why do you hate the wealthy? The whole “us” versus “them” of Obama begging for votes is soooo 2008

  • DIBS

    Exactly. She’s obviously a liberal so it’s a requirement to do so. I suspect, if pushed on it, she can’t really distinguish among speculators, hedge funds and investors but those are the required buzzwords of blame.

  • DIBS

    I guess you didn’t really get my point. Not surprising.

  • ColumbiaHeightster

    Why do “we” not want a school? There is a school capacity crisis going on in our neighborhood right now.

  • Andrew Porter

    But nothing tall built since the Heights was Landmarked in 1965.

  • Andrew Porter

    DIBS posted this illo on BHB before. Try this one:

  • DIBS

    Fifty years of stagnation and no increased housing.

  • HereToStay

    Um, that was all solved… DUMBO being taken out of PS 8. There is no need for an entire new school, LOL>

  • MaryT

    The 10 Clinton building that is part of Cadman Towers and across from the LIBRARY is 13 stories. We’re discussing the library, not Cadman Plaza West, I believe.

  • DIBS

    There are two 30+ story buildings within about 100 yards of the immediate area we are talking about. Capisci???

  • HereToStay

    We were addressing whether there was a need for more affordable housing on that stretch of Cadman Plaza West, which, as stated, already has two gigantic towers of affordable housing. So there is no need for more in the immediate area.

  • DIBS

    According to you????

  • 1969

    The rezoning hasn’t happened yet, so we don’t really know. And data on new development that others have put together show how new development means even a rezoning is only a partial solution.

  • William Gilbert

    And from Bucks County, YOU think we need more gigantic towers. Those giant buildings on Cadman Plaza were a 1970s aberration and replaced many buildings that were better than what was built. How would you feel about giant buildings in your area of Bucks County? Your comments from 90 miles away seem as smug as you are.

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