ICYMI: Inwood Library Development Opponents Speak At Community Board Meeting

INWOOD, NY — Even though the proposed redevelopment of the New York Public Library branch in Inwood wasn't on the agenda for Tuesday's Community Board 12 meeting it didn't stop neighborhood activists from speaking out against the proposal.

Editor's note: Had a busy workweek? Check out one of Washington Heights-Inwood's top stories from this week, just in case you missed it.

Several people panned the proposal to tear down the existing library on Broadway between Dyckman and Academy streets and replace it with an apartment complex containing a new library branch, calling the proposal a "Trumpish maneuver" and public workshops to discuss the project "ridiculously mishandled."

Several speakers at Tuesday's meetings said that critical questions about the library were not asked during three "visioning workshops" where neighborhood residents had the opportunity to sound off on the project. Neighborhood resident Phil Simpson said that during the workshops officials never asked locals how long the community would be able to go without a replacement library or which library services they want the city to provide during the construction project.

"Substantial hidden costs were covered up during the meetings" Simpson said Tuesday.

In January city representatives introduced a proposal to redevelop the Inwood Library into a public-private development featuring affordable housing units stacked on top of a renovated library. The city has not yet created an official plan for the Inwood Library, so details about levels of affordability, number of apartment units and the proposed building height have not yet been released but the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development is pushing for 100 percent of the new apartment units will be offered at below-market rates.

Many groups opposed to building private developments on public land and approving spot rezoning ordinances in Inwood have since voiced opposition to the project. Citizens Defending Libraries, a group which has opposed similar library developments across the city, has also spoken out against the project.

This article will be updated with more details.

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