Developer Gets Go Ahead To Demolish Brooklyn Heights Library, Activists Say It Isn't The End

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — The Department of Buildings on Friday approved the demolition of the Brooklyn Heights Library. Activists say their fight to preserve the library is far from over, even if it ends up getting demolished in the next few weeks.

A spokesperson for Hudson Companies, the developer of the planned new library complex on Cadman Plaza West, told Patch that the 12-week demolition is scheduled to start the last week in March.

But Love Brooklyn Libraries (LBL), a local organization fighting to preserve the existing building, told Patch it is still battling in court with the city, the Brooklyn Public Library and Hudson Companies.

Marsha Rimler, the head of LBL, told Patch she is filing another appeal to the court's decision on her organization's lawsuit against the demolition. This time, the appeal will be based on merit, and not just on environmental concerns, she said.

Last week, the court denied LBL's request for a preliminary injunction on its case alleging that the demolition would be a violation of the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act. The LBL lost its original case in July and filed an appeal in January, again based on environmental concerns, that was, again, dismissed.

Rimler told Patch she believes that Hudson Companies' proposal for the new complex benefits the developers and not the people of Brooklyn Heights, who have been utilizing the library for generations.

Hudson Companies has proposed a development called "280 Cadman Plaza West," a 36-story building with the library on the ground and basement floors, two retail spaces and 34 floors of condos. Out of 134 units, Hudson says 114 would be affordable.

"I found this proposal to be out of its mind... that they would purposely target this library and let it deteriorate on purpose," Rimler said. "It's called 'planned demolition.' We get six proposals to redevelop the site, and a friend of the mayor — interestingly — wins the contract, and it leaves us with a library that is between one-half and one-third the size, and partially under-grounded? To me the whole thing is outrageous."

Rimler said a team of three lawyers — attorneys for the city, Brooklyn Public Library and Hudson Companies — are "trying to bully [her organization] out of court."

She added that Hudson Companies is legally responsible for rebuilding the library if LBL wins the case and the building has already been demolished, according to her attorney. Hudson Companies had no comment on this development.

"They want the community to think it's over so people won't support us," Rimler said. "But there are a lot of irons in the fire. We're far from done."

Photo of Brooklyn Heights Library via Google Maps