RED HOOK — A complete overhaul of Red Hook's public library will move forward next year, but without an original plan to add dance studios to the space, officials said.
The $2.5 million renovation will include a new heating, ventilation, air conditioning system, new lighting, security systems, self-checkout and check-in technology, and other interior changes, according to the Brooklyn Public Library.
In an earlier plan to renovate the 7,500 square-foot library branch, officials intended to convert roughly half the main library room into dance and rehearsal studios.
The studios would have been operated by Spaceworks, a nonprofit that had planned to fund $650,000 of the total $1.835 million renovation.
But when the plan was presented to residents in 2014, the community was left divided.
While some supported Spaceworks' plan for studios, including local dance school Cora Dance, critics said it invaded a public space for reading and literacy.
After taking time to seek further community input, Brooklyn Public Library officials ultimately decided not to work with Spaceworks on the Red Hook renovation. The nonprofit currently runs studios at BPL's Williamsburgh Library.
Spaceworks did not respond to request for comment.
The planned renovation, which is slated to begin early 2017, includes about $1 million in funding from Councilman Carlos Menchaca budget and about $1.2 million allocated by the City Council.
Menchaca, whose representatives attended a Tuesday night public meeting with library officials, said in a statement that he encouraged "continued collaboration in decision making between Brooklyn Public Library and the community to ensure that Red Hook Library meets the particular needs of residents."
Red Hook's public library suffered $750,000 worth of damage from Hurricane Sandy. While it reopened in April 2013 after extensive repairs, the branch is overdue for a full renovation, officials have said.
Correction: This article original stated Councilman Carlos Menchaca attended the meeting, but it was only representatives from his office.
