Brooklyn Heights Library deal overwhelmingly approved by full City Council
Approval comes after three years of debate
The full New York City Council voted decisively on Wednesday to approve the controversial proposal to sell and develop the Brooklyn Heights Library.
The vote was 45 to one with three abstentions. (Councilmember Chaim Deutsch voted no.) Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to sign off on the plan.
The library site, at 280 Cadman Plaza West, will be sold to developer Hudson Companies for $52 million. Hudson plans to build a 36-story luxury tower, with a new, smaller Brooklyn Heights branch on the ground floor and below ground. Marvel Architects will design the building. In addition, 114 units of affordable housing will be built in Clinton Hill.
As opponents in the balcony booed, members of the Council heaped praise on Councilmember Stephen Levin (Brooklyn Heights – Williamsburg – Greenpoint) for negotiating a slew of concessions that sweetened the deal.