Brooklyn Heights Library Reconstruction

We’ve built a new library in Brooklyn Heights. At over 26,000 square feet, the new library has more public space than any other branch in Brooklyn and a bright, open design with flexible spaces for books, programs and technology.

The new, City-owned Brooklyn Heights Library anchors a mixed-use building topped by market-rate condominiums, developed by Hudson Companies. This project generated $40 million for repairs and construction at other branches in Brooklyn and created over 100 affordable housing units in Brooklyn’s Community Board 2. The fit out of Brooklyn Heights Library cost $23 million and was funded through redevelopment proceeds, City Capital funds and New York State Educaton Department funding. 

After a two-year public process, this project was approved by Community Board 2, the City Planning Commission, the New York City Council and the Brooklyn Borough Board. The new library opened on June 8, 2022.

Design for Brooklyn Heights Library

In 2015, BPL held three public community planning workshops and conducted online surveys. These workshops, as well as interviews with library staff, planning sessions with teenagers and regular meetings with librarians influenced the library's design.

The design features:

  • The new library is 26,620 square feet, making it the largest nieghborhood branch in Brooklyn.

  • A double height Main Hall, filled with books, shelves, seating and a reading circle.

  • A new Multipurpose Room, with seating capacity for up to 225 in audience style.

  • A children’s area designed for programs and collections for our littlest patrons, birth through elementary school.

  • A dedicated teen library space, the first of its kind in Brooklyn Heights.

  • Conference and meeting rooms that can be reserved online with a library card, and collaborative co-working seating throughout the library.

  • A reading circle in the Main Hall with plenty of power outlets and comfortable seating options, for programs or a great spot for casual working.

Sketches from the 2017 community presentation by Marvel Architects.
Sketches from the 2017 community presentation by Marvel Architects. 

Timeline

June 2016: Business & Career Center relocates to Central Library

July 2016: Interim Brooklyn Heights Library opens

2017: Construction begins on the One Clinton Street building

June 8, 2022: New Brooklyn Heights Library opens at 286 Cadman Plaza West

Further Information

 

The Challenge

Across the system, BPL's 60 libraries had an estimated $300 million in unmet capital needs. Nearly every one of BPL's branches had maintenance issues. We needed to replace HVAC systems, boilers and roofs, make safety and security enhancements, and embark on interior renovations, among countless other projects. Unfortunately, BPL received an average of only $15 million a year from the City to maintain its buildings.

Out of all of BPL's libraries, the Brooklyn Heights branch faced some of the greatest capital challenges. Built in 1962, it had more than $9.2 million in unfunded needs, including an estimated $3.5-$4.5 million to replace a non-functioning HVAC system. Additionally, the building was poorly designed and had an inefficient floor plan that hinders public service, with more than 50% of its space unavailable for public use.

The Brooklyn Heights Project

To address these challenges, BPL pursued a unique opportunity in Brooklyn Heights in order to:

  • Develop an inspiring, relevant, and state-of-the-art library facility
  • Eliminate millions of dollars in unmet capital needs
  • Raise funds for branches across Brooklyn

Use of Funds

The developer's purchase price was $52M. This figure did not include the cost to build the core and shell of the new branch, the cost to fit out the interim branch during construction, or any rental fees incurred during that period – all of which were also paid for by the developer. $12M of the proceeds was allocated toward the interior of the new Brooklyn Heights Library and the remaining $40M in proceeds was allocated to capital projects in other branches throughout Brooklyn.

Proceeds from the project addressed a significant portion of Brooklyn Public Library’s $300M in outstanding and unfunded capital needs. The overall outstanding critical need of each branch, the opportunity for comprehensive upgrades, and geographic equity were all considerations in the allocation of these funds.

Projects funded included:

  • Walt Whitman: $6.5M for branch modernization and infrastructure upgrade
  • Pacific: $3.5M for a new ADA-compliant entry and other accessibility improvements
  • Washington Irving: $6M for a branch modernization
  • Sunset Park: $11M for the fit-out of a new, larger branch in conjunction with an affordable housing project
  • Leonard: $3M for ADA accessibility
  • DUMBO/Vinegar Hill/Farragut Houses: $1M for a new, approximately 6,500-square-foot library
  • Greenpoint: $2.7M for the new library/environmental education center
  • New Lots: $3.3M for a branch overhaul
  • Canarsie: $3M for a branch overhaul

This funding in turn freed up BPL's annual funding for projects in other branches throughout the borough.

Community Advisory Council

Brooklyn Public Library convened a Community Advisory Committee comprised of local elected officials and representatives from five community organizations and tenant groups, to provide community input about the proposed project. Members included the Brooklyn Heights Association, Brooklyn Public Library, Cadman Towers, Community Board 2, Concord Village, DUMBO Neighborhood Association, Friends of Brooklyn Heights Library, Fulton Ferry Landing Association, Council Member Stephen Levin, Borough President Eric Adams, Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Senator Daniel L. Squadron, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, and Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez.

The Business & Career Center relocated to Central Library in June 2016, increasing hours of service by over 30%. This new location offers all current B&CL services—plus access to Central Library’s resources—in a more accessible location to all of Brooklyn.

BPL has long planned to relocate the B&CC to Central Library. Jobseekers and entrepreneurs, many of whom live and work outside the downtown Brooklyn area, can now enjoy the expanded hours, more resources, and modern work and study spaces that Central Library provides. Many of the B&CC's programs take place in the Shelby White and Leon Levy Information Commons, BPL's newest space for collaborative learning.

The new Brooklyn Heights Library will host a 3,000 square-foot, technology-rich workspace designed to meet the needs of the 21st century workforce in Brooklyn Heights. The area will offer collaborative meeting spaces for specialized trainings and one-on-one consultation services, as well as computers and productivity tools for the business and creative communities.

Cost Estimates and Finances

The Developer

Branch Usage and Floor Plans

Community Outreach Events

HVAC Assessment

Business & Career Center

Project RFP

Public Testimony