The sale of the building caused controversy. The site previously held a branch of the Brooklyn Public Library, and initial proposals involving the sale of the site were opposed by two organizations: Citizens Defending Libraries and Love Brooklyn Libraries. Concerns included increased traffic, overpopulation of the local schools, the decrease of the library's space, and worries over the developer's pledge to provide affordable housing. The Brooklyn Public Library provided a defense of the sale, stating in front of city council that it receives insufficient funds from the city. However, a complaint sent to the city and state attorney general alleges that the Public Library has over $100 million in unspent funds.
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The sale of what was originally known as 280 Cadman Plaza West proved controversial. The building at this address was a former branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. During the initial proposal of this sale by the City Council,advocacy groups opposed the plan, including Citizens Defending Libraries and Love Brooklyn Libraries. This project is part of a succession of new construction in the area, which led these advocates’ protests. The main points they seemed to be worried about were increased traffic in a school area, overpopulation of the local schools, the shrinkage of the library’s space, and they feared that the project would veer away from its promise of affordable housing according to the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
After the spread of the controversy, the Brooklyn Public Library plead poverty to justify selling off this branch and even testified in front of the city council that the funds it receives from the city are insufficient to sustain all its branches. However, a complaint sent to the city and state attorney general alleges that the Public Library has over $100 million in unspent funds. Love Brooklyn Libraries along with some residents describes this sale as a fraudulent scheme based on false pretenses and insist that the city’s funding and the charitable offers from residents should cover its expenses.The state Attorney General declined to review the sale of the library as it was owned by the city and not the nonprofit.
The summer of 2017, the DOB (Department of Buildings) gave the Hudson companies approval to build. Love Brooklyn Libraries, Inc felt compelled .to file a suit against the developer attempting to stop the redevelopment of the site, it was dismissed in June 2017 but an appeal has been filed.
The artwork set on display on the outer walls was another issue. Residents feared that the art on the library facade created by Clemente Spampinato would be stored and forgotten, but the developer on the case issued a statement which implied that the new artwork might be displayed in some part of the new building. There is no word yet about how they will be hung when the building opens in the spring of 2020.
- ^ Frost, Mary (19 June 2017). "Developer Hudson closes on Brooklyn Heights Library site and $280M loan". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
- ^ Short, Aaron (28 February 2016). "'Broke' Brooklyn Public Library sitting on $100M cash pile: activists". New York Post. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
- ^ "OPINION: Preserving the Brooklyn Heights Library's stone friezes". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 20 March 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
- ^ Sugar, Rachel (3 January 2017). "Brooklyn Heights library tower set to rise with DOB approval". Curbed New York. Retrieved 17 October 2017.