Community Feedback Gathered for Reconstruction and Affordable Housing Plan of New Utrecht Library in Brooklyn
New York State Assemblyman William Colton convened a community forum on the evening of December 16 at Il Centro restaurant on 18th Avenue in Brooklyn to collect opinions on the reconstruction of the New Utrecht Library and the incorporation of an affordable housing plan. The meeting, initiated by State Senator Chen Xueli, was attended by nearly a hundred residents and members of the business community.
The proposal is still in its early planning stages, envisioning the construction of a new, modern library (occupying only one floor) on the site of the existing New Utrecht Library and its adjacent municipal parking lot, along with a residential development containing several hundred units of affordable housing. The overall building height could reach up to 14 stories. However, the limited number of parking spaces provided in the plan may cause inconvenience for both future residents and customers of the surrounding commercial area.
According to current zoning regulations (R5 and R5 overlay C1-2 zoning, as amended this year under the “Supporting the City Act”), the plot originally only allowed for the construction of a five-story building. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is currently evaluating higher density options that require review processes, including medium-density and high-density proposals. Based on data released by the HPD, the medium-density plan would offer approximately 230 to 310 residential units across two buildings, with heights ranging from 8 to 9 stories and 10 to 14 stories. The high-density plan could provide around 290 to 390 residential units, with building heights ranging from 10 to 11 stories and 12 to 14 stories.
The majority of residents present at the forum expressed concerns about both options, fearing that they might impose a heavy burden on community infrastructure and quality of life, including issues such as inadequate parking, stress on sewage systems, and strained school capacities. Some business owners worried that the elimination of the parking lot could impact their business, while others pointed out that overloading the century-old sewage system could lead to basement flooding. Additionally, regular users of the branch library may lose a convenient alternative.
Assemblyman Colton emphasized during the meeting that the housing shortage cannot only be addressed through the construction of high-density projects. The city government itself, including through the New York City Housing Authority, still holds tens of thousands of vacant apartments, and if properly renovated and put into use, they could help alleviate the crisis. He also stated that the reason the Brooklyn Public Library is considering this proposal is due to a lack of sufficient funds for the necessary upgrades and renovations of the branch, stating that they would only agree if they believe it can significantly improve the library.
In fact, the integration of libraries with affordable housing is not a new concept. In 2023, an eight-story building on Fifth Avenue in Sunset Park was completed as a precedent for similar projects. It was developed through a partnership between the nonprofit Fifth Avenue Committee and the Brooklyn Public Library, including around 50 units of affordable housing.
Colton stressed the importance of the community speaking up early on, as any large-scale development could take many years to materialize. He pledged that if residents oppose the final proposal put forth by the government, he will stand with the community and lead the fight. “As long as we stand together, we have the ability to stop proposals that are detrimental to the community,” he said. “We have opposed unpopular proposals in the past and won, and we can do it again this time. If a fight is needed, I am prepared.”
The New Utrecht Library branch is located at 1743 86th Street.