Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Bridge Park is an 85 acre park currently under construction on the Brooklyn waterfront in the vicinity of the Manhattan and Brooklyn bridges. It will extend from the Con Edison substation north of the Brooklyn pier of the Manhattan Bridge south along the Brooklyn Heights waterfront to Pier 6. Most of this area is underused and inaccessible. Currently, the Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park is the only green space in the area; it extends from the Fulton Ferry Landing to the Manhattan Bridge and is sometimes referred to colloquially as Brooklyn Bridge Park, .

A major objective is to make the park financially self-sustaining, hence parts of it will be used for commercial and residential development. Most of the residents of Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO appear to be in favor of the Brooklyn Bridge Park, yet there are concerns about increased traffic, the lack of public transportation close to the park and the extent of the commercial and residential development.

The Brooklyn Heights Association, a neighborhood association, has come out in favor of the park, albeit with some reservations (see their website below). Some local neighborhood groups oppose the use of residential development to provide funds for maintenance and operating expenses for the park.Fact|date=March 2008

With final approval granted by State and City authorities. construction began on Monday, January 28, 2008. The first phase will last up to nine months and includes demolition of the pier sheds and adjacent buildings not included in the park plan. Completion is expected in 2012. The total cost is estimated at $130 million, excluding additional private development costs. See the web page of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy (below) for the announcement about construction and views of the future park.

External links

* [http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/ Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy]
* [http://www.empire.state.ny.us/BBPDC/ Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation]
* [http://www.brooklynheightsassociation.org/ Brooklyn Heights Association]
* [http://www.brooklyn101.com/ brooklyn101.com] Brooklyn for Brooklynites and Visitors