What you should know
- Project will create a world-class public space at the entrance to ‘Brooklyn’s backyard’
- NYC DOT to present project details and host public workshops beginning April 23
Grand Army Plaza’s current design (L) and NYC DOT’s proposal (R).
NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced today a proposal to create a world-class public space and dramatically improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at Grand Army Plaza by connecting the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch to Prospect Park. The project aims to make it easier to travel around and through the plaza, including by streamlining bus service on one of the busiest routes in Brooklyn, with 27,300 daily riders on the B41 and 5,600 daily riders on the B6.
NYC DOT will finalize the capital project’s design through a series of public workshops beginning on April 23. More information and a community feedback survey will be posted online the day of the workshops at nyc.gov/grandarmyplaza. The survey will be available through Sunday, May 31.
“Grand Army Plaza is the gateway to Brooklyn’s backyard, Prospect Park — and it should welcome New Yorkers with street design that puts safety first,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Anyone who’s tried to cross here knows how dangerous and chaotic the streets can be. This redesign is long overdue and will provide a sense of ease and enjoyment to one of Brooklyn’s most important public spaces.”
“This restoration will breathe new life into one of Brooklyn's most historic spaces, bringing critical improvements that will make the plaza safer and more accessible for everyone,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “This is a significant step toward building better-designed public spaces with the needs of New Yorkers front and center.”
“Under Mayor Mamdani, we are focused on making our streets the envy of the world — and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn presents a perfect opportunity to do so,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “Every time NYC DOT has provided more space to pedestrians at the park, it’s been an instant success, and it becomes impossible to think of how the space could have functioned before. The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch is an iconic symbol of Brooklyn, and we’re ready to take the next big step to create a public space all of Brooklyn will be proud of and enjoy.”
“Our parks are at their best when they are safe, welcoming and easy for all New Yorkers to get to. This improvement to Grand Army Plaza would give pedestrians and cyclists a safer and more relaxing way to enter Prospect Park and take advantage of all it has to offer,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “We look forward to working with our partners in the community and across City government to reshape this space for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”
Previous workshops held in 2024 showed significant community support for the project with over 85% of the 3,600 survey respondents supporting a project that connects the park and plaza to the Memorial Arch and Bailey Fountain, or “Option B” in the outreach summary chart below.
NYC DOT’s design for Grand Army Plaza, developed through years of community feedback.
Once the capital project scope development is completed this year, NYC DOT will explore options for reconstruction that would include reconstructing the roadway to add a host of new pedestrian and cyclist amenities.
NYC DOT will be hosting virtual and in-person public sessions at the dates and locations below:
- Thursday, April 23 from 4pm to 6pm: Visit NYC DOT's tent south of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch in Grand Army Plaza. In case of rain, the event will be held in the Grand Lobby of the Brooklyn Public Library. Please use the main entrance.
- Saturday, April 25 from 10am to 1pm: Visit our tent south of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch in Grand Army Plaza. In case of rain, the event will be held in the Civic Commons area of the Brooklyn Public Library. Please use the Flatbush Avenue Entrance.
- Wednesday, April 29 from 6pm to 7:30pm on Zoom: Register for the April 29 virtual workshop in advance via Zoom.
“The days of New Yorkers having to navigate a labyrinth of roads and intersections just to get to Prospect Park are finally numbered,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Thanks to Mayor Mamdani and the DOT, Grand Army Plaza will soon function as a world-class gateway to a world-class park, streamlining traffic and delivering much-needed pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements. I encourage Brooklynites to attend the upcoming workshops to learn more about the proposal and help shape the future of one of Brooklyn's finest gems.”
“Grand Army Plaza has long been one of the most challenging intersections in Brooklyn — a web of roadways that has been unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate for decades,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “This redesign is truly transformative. Connecting Prospect Park to the Plaza will finally give New Yorkers the safe, accessible public space this iconic landmark deserves. I urge every District 39 resident to come out to the upcoming workshops and help shape this vision for our community.”
“I want to thank Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for moving forward with this important project,” said Assembly Member Robert Carroll. “Great public spaces are part of why New York is such a vital city and I am confident that this initiative will mean Grand Army Plaza joins the ranks of world class public spaces. I look forward to continuing to work with the Mamdani Administration on this and other initiatives to make New York more livable and even more vibrant.”
“The proposal for Grand Army Plaza is an exciting opportunity that prioritizes safety for everyone who uses our streets, and it will require meaningful community input,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “As this process moves forward, I look forward to continuing to hear from the community and ensuring Grand Army Plaza remains a vibrant, accessible public space for everyone.”
“We're ecstatic that New York City will be connecting Grand Army Plaza’s arch to the rest of Prospect Park,” said Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Ben Furnas. “This is a major step forward for everyone who visits Brooklyn’s backyard, and a restoration of Olmsted’s original vision for his favorite park. Thank you to Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Flynn and all of the Brooklyn neighbors and TA activists who dedicated themselves to fighting for a safer Grand Army for years. With this proposal, one of Brooklyn’s most confusing and harrowing intersections will transform into a new marquee public space for all to enjoy — on foot, on a bike or on the bus.”
“Grand Army Plaza was always envisioned as the formal entrance to Prospect Park and has served as one of Brooklyn's premier gathering spaces for the past 150 years,” said Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco. “This project will advance our work in creating safe, inviting and accessible public space and also greatly enhance the plaza's role as Brooklyn's ‘town square’ and one of its most democratic spaces.”
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