Huge CB6 meeting TONIGHT regarding the future of the Red Hook Library

Some of you might have started hearing about a plan that has actually been in the works for two years to allow performance artists to rent space in the public library of Red Hook. This has been presented to the library and to Cora Dance as something positive, as the claim is that the library is underutilized. Our public libraries have been underfunded for many years, as have our public parks. The answer to underfunding has not been to raise taxes on those who could afford to pay a little more, but to give over parts of our parks and libraries to supposedly well meaning groups who think they could do a better job.

Carlos Menchaca earlier this year at the Red Hook Library, celebrating the results of Participatory Budgeting
Carlos Menchaca earlier this year at the Red Hook Library, celebrating the results of Participatory Budgeting

The Spaceworks/Library proposal was put on the calendar of last month’s CB 6 Land Use Committee at the last second, and committee members heard positive things about this plan from the library and from potential beneficiaries of this plan. As in, who wouldn’t like mom’s apple pie. The committee voted in favor with three negative votes from local stakeholders. After some Red Hook complaints, including from this newspaper, CB 6 in their wisdom decided to table the motion at their Executive Meeting and bring it back to Red Hook so that our community would have a chance to hear about the proposal and voice their opinions.

It is our opinion that this is something that should have been done a long time ago, but better late than never. Our local councilmember, who has also only recently had this put on his radar, just sent out this press release, which gives all the details... THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN MOST LOCAL MEETINGS – hope to see you there…

 

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF COUNCIL MEMBER CARLOS MENCHACA | 38th District

Dear Red Hook Friends & Neighbors –

Please join me at the Red Hook Library tonight to learn about a partnership between the Brooklyn Public Library and Spaceworks that proposes to bring two new 1,000 square-foot rehearsal and presentation spaces to the Red Hook Library for theater, dance and other art forms. 

The purpose of tonight’s meeting is to give all community members the opportunity to be fully informed about the proposal and to share your feedback and concerns. This is also an opportunity to address some of the confusion that community members may have about this project. 

I will be there alongside you to ask questions and assess the community benefits of this partnership. In particular, I want to learn more about the connection between Spaceworks and the many other services provided at the Red Hook Library. I will insist that this collaboration advances the library’s core literacy and educational objectives

What: Presentation and review of a proposal by the Brooklyn Public Library and Space Works for alterations to the Red Hook branch library at 7 Wolcott Street (between Dwight/Richards Streets).

Where:Red Hook Library, 7 Wolcott Street  (between Dwight/Richards Streets) 

When: Today, Thursday July 24th 

Time: 6:00PM 

Best, 

Carlos Menchaca

NYC Council Member |38th District

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