In the latest communication received by the office of New York State Senator Chen Xueli, the New York City Housing Preservation and Development Agency (HPD) has formally notified about a planned collaboration with the Brooklyn Public Library (BPL). The HPD stated that they are working together to rebuild a new, modern library on the current site of the New Utrecht Library along with the adjacent municipal parking lot operated by the transportation department. Additionally, the project will include the construction of 100% affordable housing on the same plot of land. The project site is located at 1743 86th St at Bay 17th St, Brooklyn, NY 11214.
The current library has been in operation since 1956, which is almost 70 years, and this comprehensive reconstruction aims to enhance the quality of public services and address the long-term needs of the surrounding community.
This initiative falls under the “Living Libraries” program implemented by the city of New York. By integrating housing with the library, the project aims to consolidate community resources, support families, and attempt to alleviate the ongoing housing supply tension in New York City. According to municipal planning, the project will progress through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process where developers will propose specific plans based on community priorities. Over the coming years, the RFP and relevant public review procedures will gradually unfold, while the library will remain open and core services will continue uninterrupted until formal construction commences.
The city administration emphasizes that the development direction of the new library and residential units should be collectively decided by the community. Presently, HPD and BPL have entered the first phase of the “Community Vision” process and will continue external outreach work throughout the fall of this year to gather residents’ input on the most critical issues for future development. In this regard, the city government will host a Community Vision workshop at the New Utrecht Library next Tuesday (November 18) from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, where light refreshments, tea, and childcare will be provided. Additionally, an online survey (tinyurl.com/2n95an6f) has been made available for residents who cannot attend in person to express their opinions.
Senator Chen Xueli’s office urges residents to actively participate in the meeting and take advantage of the opportunity to present specific expectations for future facilities to HPD and BPL. Input such as the need for commercial spaces, more community service facilities, the addition of activity centers, fitness spaces, or even public resources like swimming pools should be voiced. Only by voicing opinions from the early planning stages can the construction in the future genuinely meet the community’s needs and not be unilaterally decided by government departments.
Considering past instances where affordable housing projects like the one on U Avenue had started under the guise of “affordable housing” but ultimately led to deception, sparking strong community dissatisfaction, Senator Chen Xueli’s office specifically warns residents to thoroughly understand and continuously monitor any projects claiming to offer “100% affordable housing” from the outset. The earlier and more comprehensive the community participation, the more secure the transparency and reliability of the project will be in the future.