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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2002
PR-106-02
www.nyc.gov


MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND GOVERNOR GEORGE E. PATAKI ANNOUNCE CREATION OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK


Transformation of 67-Acres of Industrial Waterfront into World Class Public Park

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Governor George E. Pataki today announced a new partnership to transform 67-acres of the Brooklyn waterfront into a significant new park, increasing access to the East River, protecting natural and historic resources in the Fulton Ferry district and transforming abandoned piers into a waterfront destination. The Brooklyn Bridge Park will include open space, a riverside promenade, recreational amenities, cultural programs and some commercial development. The park will stretch along the East River for 1.3 miles from South of the Brooklyn Bridge at Atlantic Avenue to north of the Manhattan Bridge at Jay Street. The development of the park will be made possible through the commitment of $85 million from the State through the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and $65 million from the City.

"It has been too long since Brooklyn gave birth to another flagship park and its waterfront is the ideal place for such a recreational masterpiece," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The Brooklyn Bridge Park will be the biggest park to be built in Brooklyn since Prospect Park and will transform 67 acres of underutilized waterfront into beautiful open space, reclaiming part of the City's coastline for New Yorkers to enjoy. I would like to thank the local community for working with City and the State to make this vision into a reality."

"By investing in projects to preserve open space, create new recreational opportunities and enhance access to our waterfronts, we are improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers," said Governor Pataki. "The new Brooklyn Bridge Park will provide the most significant addition to New York City's collection of state and city parks in more than a century, providing countless opportunities for families and visitors to enjoy the outdoors right in downtown Brooklyn."

Both the State and the City are dedicating property for the creation of Brooklyn Bridge Park. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has agreed to transfer land parcels dedicated to the project including Piers 1-5 adjacent to the East River on the Brooklyn waterfront. The park will also include Empire Fulton Ferry State Park and other vacant or underutilized parcels of land along 1.3 miles of waterfront stretching from Atlantic Avenue to Jay Street north of the Manhattan Bridge.

Senate Minority Leader Martin Connor said, "Today is the real beginning of the realization of a dream pursued by Brooklyn's waterfront neighborhoods. This dream coalesced from the cooperative work of community residents and their elected officials. The result will be a magnificent world-class park that will be enjoyed by generations. Governor Pataki's commitment to the environment, and to Brooklyn, has been the deciding factor in making the dream come true. Mayor Bloomberg's partnership with the Governor completes the vision for the park."

Assemblywoman Joan L. Millman said, "Brooklyn Bridge Park has long been a dream of mine. From the development of the thirteen guiding principles to the creation of the Master Plan - many have traveled along different paths to reach today's destination - including those no longer with us. Standing here on Pier One with the Governor, the Mayor, my legislative colleagues, and members of the community, I can see our dream becoming a reality."

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said, "The Downtown Brooklyn area already has major cultural institutions, colleges, and beautiful residential streets. Now it'll have a fantastic park -- and a major link in a rejuvenated Brooklyn waterfront that people can readily access and enjoy. I look forward to working with the new Development Corporation and with community residents in the final planning and implementation of this project."

More than 80 percent of the park will be open space. Commercial development of the balance of the land will be guided in character and quality by the Master Plan with all revenues dedicated to the operation and maintenance of the park. State Parks and City Parks will be active participants in the park's design and planning. The new park will be developed and operated by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, a newly established subsidiary of Empire State Development (ESDC).

ESDC Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Port Authority Charles A. Gargano said, "These projects are the most recent examples of Governor Pataki's commitment to develop and improve access to New York's waterways and protect the Empire State's pristine environmental resources. As lead public agency, Empire State Development is proud to provide the appropriate environment to achieve the best plan for the Park's development so we may execute the shared vision of the state, city and community for Brooklyn Bridge Park."

The agreement calls for the newly-created Development Corporation to use the Illustrative Master Plan released in September 2000 as a guide in drafting the more detailed Project Plan for all future development of the property. The Illustrative Master Plan was the result of an intensive public planning process conducted by the Downtown Brooklyn Waterfront Local Development Corporation that allowed residents, business owners, civic organizations and cultural institutions to participate in the planning for the park.

NYC Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding Daniel Doctoroff said, "The development of this expansive park will help improve the quality of life for Brooklyn residents and serve as a gateway to the commercial center of Downtown Brooklyn and the surrounding communities. The Bloomberg Administration is working on a number of opportunities to create public waterfront access so that New Yorkers may enjoy their natural surroundings. This true partnered effort between the city, the state, and the community will transform acres of underused waterfront into a spectacular stretch of park."

NYS Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro said, "Governor Pataki continues to demonstrate an unparalleled commitment to creating and expanding scenic urban parklands for the benefit of all New Yorkers. Today's announcement here in Brooklyn will open up public access to prime East River property and help reconnect communities with this historic waterfront and its unique architectural treasures. Protecting precious open space and providing greater outdoor recreation opportunities are hallmarks of this plan, and I am proud to be a partner in this exciting effort."

NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe said, "Parks is pleased to realize that first facet of the community's vision for a waterfront park with the development of the playground and park at Main Street, which will be complete this summer. The City and State leadership will ensure that this project is infused with an urban park aesthetic similar to the successful Hudson River Park."

In addition to green space for active and passive recreational uses, the park will include indoor recreational and cultural facilities and commercial retail such as shops and restaurants along with the possibility of additional development. Plans call for the development of soccer fields, fishing piers, promenades, three playgrounds, and other recreation space, as well as green spaces, a natural amphitheater, creation of grand plazas, a 150,000 sq. foot recreation facility on Pier 5, an outdoor recreation center, a hotel and conference center, as well as restaurants.

The community will be strongly represented in the planning of the park. In collaboration with the community, the transformation of the downtown Brooklyn waterfront will offer an important step in turning an obsolete maritime area into a invaluable asset enhancing Brooklyn's quality of life. Major construction is expected to begin in Spring 2004.

The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation will be comprised of eleven directors, six appointed by the Governor and five appointed by the Mayor. Members appointed by the Governor are Chairman Charles Gargano (ex officio), Commissioner Bernadette Castro (ex officio), Julio Mercado, John Watts, David Offensend and Valerie Lancaster Beal. Those board members appointed by the Mayor are Vice-Chairman Dan Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor Patricia Harris, Commissioner Benepe, Joanne Witty, and Gilbert Rivera. James Moogan, who has more than two decades of service with New York State Parks, has been named as the Development Corporation's Executive Director.

During the press conference, the Governor and the Mayor signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the State of New York and the City of New York, which outlines the guidelines for the creation, development and operation of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

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Contact:

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Suzanne Morris
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