Controversial Brooklyn Heights Library Redevelopment Faces Additional Obstacles

Sept. 14, 2015 — Even as Community Board 2 gave the green light in July for the controversial Brooklyn Heights Library redevelopment project to move forward opponents heckled and protested. They had nothing to lose anymore. But it looks like it isn't quite over. DNAinfo reports that the redevelopment is now "facing opposition from Borough President Eric Adams, who [this week] released a slew of recommendations for the project, including more affordable housing and local school seats." Although he has only an advisory role in the planning process, he conditionally disapproved the 280 Cadman Plaza West project under the city's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure, DNAinfo reports. Hudson Companies, in partnership with Marvel Architects, "had promised 114 off-site low-income units in Clinton Hill but Adams is pushing to have all affordable housing within the Brooklyn Heights development." Among his many recommendations, Adams is asking that the project address the very issues many of the locals who oppose the move have been highlighting in their protests: that the project address "overcrowding in local schools and maintain all residential units related to the development as 'permanently affordable.'" The City Planning Commission will consider the borough president's recommendations Tuesday, September 22.