BOERUM HILL — The morning after Councilman Stephen Levin brokered a deal that would allow a developer to build a 36-story condo tower on the site of the Brooklyn Heights Library, his critics had already left their mark outside his office. With chalk.
"You sold our library!! You betrayed community!!" is written in multi-colored chalk at the steps of his Atlantic Avenue office. "Levin promised transparency and delivered backrom [sic] deal."
Levin announced Thursday that he would support a newly-negotiated but controversial deal to sell the public library branch building at 280 Cadman Plaza West to a private developer.
The developer Hudson Companies plans to build a luxury high-rise condo tower along with a new but smaller library in the building.
The City Council's land use committee voted in favor of the plan and the full council normally votes in line with the local council member's wishes. Levin had not publicly stated his intentions until the developer offered more concessions just ahead of Thursday's vote.
The chalk culprits were not hard to track down.
A small group from Citizens Defending Libraries, which is strongly advocating against the library's sale, had already chalked messages to Levin in front of his office but added more on Thursday soon after the vote, co-founder Michael White said Friday morning.
“Steve Levin had said more than a year ago that he would insist on transparency," he said.
The markings were removed Friday afternoon, according to Levin's office.
"Council Member Levin welcomes and encourages constituent inquiries and feedback on this or any other issue. Our office is always available to constituents by mail or email, phone, fax, online submission through our website, or drop-in appointment during the hours posted at our District Office," spokesman Casey Adams said Friday afternoon.
"You Sold Our Library!! You Betrayed Community!!"
Chalk messages were scrawled all over the sidewalk in front of Levin's office at 410 Atlantic Ave. in Boerum Hill.
No Transparency in Library Deal, Critics Say
Citizens Defending Libraries had previously written chalk notes to Levin in front of his office. After Thursday afternoon's vote, they added more messages around the existing ones.
'Don't Sell Our Libraries'
Another message right at the door step of Levin's Atlantic Avenue office.
