Brooklyn Bridge
Pedestrians navigating between the Civic Center and the pedestrian stairwell at Cadman Plaza East would be assisted by improved visual guides. The bridge underpass where the stairwell meets the street needs improved lighting and both informational and directional signage. Distinct lighting fixtures, banners and artist-designed plaques in the sidewalk along Cadman Plaza East would create visual connections between the bridge and the Civic Center.
Between the pedestrian stairwell and the waterfront to the north, improved streetscape landscaping and paving is needed in addition to lighting and signage. The Brooklyn-Queens expressway underpasses present an opportunity to create gateways between neighborhoods with artwork mounted on the faces of the underpasses.
The Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian/bicycle path on Adams Street should be redesigned to provide better visual interest, minimal protection from weather, and visual and auditory separation from the surrounding traffic. This could be accomplished with decorative screens, trellises or creative landscaping.
There are many opportunities for improved open space throughout the Brooklyn Bridge area. City-owned property that is currently used for parking lots or vehicle maintenance could be redeveloped with visitor welcome centers and landscaped plazas. In addition, the various publicly and privately owned spaces created by the diagonal orientation of Cadman Plaza West should be enhanced to create a chain of plazas.