Brooklyn Strand Urban Design Action Plan Stakeholder Meeting

Brooklyn Strand Urban Design Action Plan Stakeholder Meeting October 30, 2014 NYC Office of the Mayor Downtown Brooklyn Partnership NYC Department of Parks and Recreation Brooklyn Bridge Park WXY architecture + urban design Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects

Agenda Introduction Defining the Strand History and Future Stakeholder Input Findings Typologies Summary Next Steps 2

Meeting Schedule Kickoff Meeting September 3 Open Space (Working Group) October 9 Stakeholder Update Today s meeting Infrastructure (Working Group) November 13 CB2 Parks Committee Charette November 17 Amenities (Working Group) December 11 Stakeholder Final January 15 3

Definition Downtown Brooklyn $4B of investment since 2004 Brooklyn Bridge Park 108,000 visitors on summer weekends Brooklyn Cultural District 50+ world-class cultural institutions Brooklyn Tech Triangle up to 22,000 N total direct tech jobs (2015) 4

Definition Key Routes 5

Definition Public Space 21 acres (18%) usable park land 58 acres (50%) DOT area 116 acres total study area N 6

Definition Neighborhood Links 7

Brooklyn Strand Goals 1. Develop a vision for a unified network to better interconnect Downtown Brooklyn, surrounding neighborhoods, and the waterfront. 2. Linking existing and new spaces to create a unified whole with a distinct character of place. 3. Form great spaces and programs to meet the needs and desires of local communities while attracting new visitors and new investment to the area. 4. Improve safety, way-finding and pedestrian, bike, and public transportation access throughout the site. 5. Balance immediate improvements and long-term implementation scenarios. 6. Assert a clear identity to the Brooklyn Strand and to raise interest in investing in its future. 8

History and Future 9

N History Districts and Memorials Brooklyn Heights Historic District Fulton Ferry Historic District DUMBO Historic District Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District Vinegar Hill Historic District Historic Landmarks 1. Brooklyn City Railroad Company Bld 2. Brooklyn Bridge 3. Thomson Meter Company Building 4. Commandant s House 5. William J. Gaynor Memorial 6. Brooklyn War Memorial 7. Korean War Memorial 8. Main Brooklyn Post Office 9. Henry Ward Beecher Monument 10. Brooklyn Trust Company 11. Brooklyn Union Gas Company Bld 12. Brooklyn Borough Hall 13. Gage & Tollner Restaurant 14. Old Brooklyn Fire Headquarters 15. (Former) New York and New Jersey Telephone Company 16. First Free Congregational Church 17. Duffield Street Houses 18. Offerman Building Park Memorials 1. Christopher Columbus Plaque 2. Christopher Columbus 3. Arthur H. Bernstein Tree Marker 4. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial 5. John E. Klein Tree Marker 6. John F. Kennedy Memorial Tree 7. Washington A. Roebling Memorial 8. John Cashmore Marker 9. Fountain 10

History Columbus Park 1876 Korean War Memorial 1889 Henry Ward Beecher Monument 1915 1. Christopher Columbus Plaque 2. Christopher Columbus 3. Arthur H. Bernstein Tree Marker 4. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial 5. John E. Klein Tree Marker 6. John F. Kennedy Memorial Tree 7. Washington A. Roebling Memorial 8. John Cashmore Marker 9. Fountain 2014 1941 Brooklyn Union Gas company building Borough Hall N Borough Hall Skyscraper Historic District 11

History Cadman Plaza 1936 William J. Gaynor Memorial Brooklyn War Memorial 1938 1938 N 12

History Brooklyn Bridge Anchorage 1880 Brooklyn Bridge DUMBO Historic District Fulton Ferry Historic District 1952 Brooklyn Heights Historic District 1983 N 13

Future Planned Improvements A B C D E Roosevelt U.S. Courthouse Perimeter Security Tillary Street Improvements Borough Hall Bluestone Replacement Willoughby Plaza Extension Golconda Park Restoration A E Under Construction B Funded Improvements Planned Improvements C N D 14

Stakeholder Input Completed walkthroughs with 20 organizations so far over the past month along with one working group meeting, logging over 100 comments throughout the Strand. 15

Walkthrough Results Borough Hall Continue Strand to connect with Fulton Mall and both sides of Joralemon Street Clean up spaces to the south of Borough Hall and take advantage of opportunities to the north Consider location of judges parking within wider frame on all sides of the courthouse ADAMS ST. JORALEMON ST. A 16

Walkthrough Results Columbus Park Buses standing and double parking along Cadman Plaza West, wall to Brooklyn Heights In support of eliminating fences, to create walk through parks and gardens Height of bushes along north section, accommodate part for bikes, bike racks A ADAMS ST. JORALEMON ST. 17

Walkthrough Results Korean War Veterans Plaza Korean War memorial is located along Tillary Street and lettering has worn away. Consider memorial placement throughout the length of the Park Pedestrianize or rethink Johnson Street and Cadman Plaza East Places for coffee, etc adjacent to both Korean War Veterans Park and Cadman Plaza Park Need public washrooms throughout the Strand* TILLARY ST. A * Self-cleaning restroom to be installed at Tillary Street at Cadman Plaza 18

Walkthrough Results Cadman Plaza Dog run is very popular, would be in support of more activities for children and fitness equipment. Create cohesive sequence of spaces of world class ambitious design quality. Balance mix of active and passive spaces. Bridge over Adams Street at High Street A ADAMS ST. 19

Walkthrough Results Brooklyn Bridge Need improved signage to and from Brooklyn Bridge walkway Wifi is needed throughout to activate more public spaces Make Cadman Plaza East more pedestrian friendly, currently dead retail zone along the length A 20

Walkthrough Results Old Fulton Street Difficult connections down Old Fulton Street, need to improve Pedestrian access on both sides Create moments, spaces, features, at turning points to help people orient and connect the dots Opportunity along the length of the Old Fulton connection for a widened pedestrian connection A 21

Walkthrough Results Jay Street Support pedestrian and bike connectivity along the length of Jay Street, sense of place Create seamless connections, coffee stands, events, including a contemporary newsstand concept Create a plaza and two way bike lane to connect Downtown Brooklyn to DUMBO A JAY ST. 22

Walkthrough Results Manhattan Bridge Make the Manhattan Bridge Plaza more accessible, integrate with Jay Street Improve pedestrian experience along Jay Street, integrating retail and student life A JAY ST. 23

50 Walkthrough Results By Topic 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Open/Civic Space Access/Transit Culture/History Overall Vision Event/festival space Lighting and materials Retail and bathrooms Active and quiet spaces Pedestrian crossings Integrating buses Subway access Memorial placement Revealing history Student offerings Brooklyn identity Wayfinding/signage Cohesive elements Themes/programs 24

Walkthrough Results Overall Comment Map 6. Old Fulton Street 5. Brooklyn Bridge 7. Jay Street DUMBO 4. Cadman Plaza 3. Korean War Veterans 8. Manhattan Bridge 2. Columbus Park 9. Jay Street MetroTech N 1. Borough Hall 25

Walkthrough Results Comment Clusters 6. Old Fulton Street Old Fulton Plaza BQE off-ramps Anchorage Plaza 5. Brooklyn Bridge Bridge off-ramps Walkway Adams Street crossing 4. Cadman Plaza Cadman Plaza West War Memorial/North Oval Comfort Stations 3. Korean War Veterans Korean War Memorial Raised Park Johnson Place 2. Columbus Park Johnson Street trench Fenced areas Memorial placement 1. Borough Hall Adams Street crossing N Judges Parking Fulton Mall connection 7. Jay Street DUMBO Bridge Park Jay/Prospect Plaza Under bridge spaces 8. Manhattan Bridge Plaza access Bridge off-ramp 9. Jay Street MetroTech Streetscaping MetroTech Plaza 26

Timelapse Analysis Borough Hall Morning Low - Medium Activity Pedestrian traffic Afternoon High Activity Pedestrian traffic Seating Evening Low Activity Pedestrian traffic 27

Timelapse Analysis Columbus Park Morning High Activity Green market (T, Th, Sa) Pedestrian traffic Afternoon Low - Medium Activity Pedestrian traffic Evening Low Activity Pedestrian traffic 28

Timelapse Analysis Cadman Plaza South Morning High Activity (low Mon) Dog walking Soccer Picnic Afternoon Medium - High Activity Soccer Picnic Informal play Evening Low Activity Dog walking Informal play 29

Timelapse Analysis Cadman Plaza North Morning Medium - High Activity Dog walking Organized activities Informal play Afternoon Medium Activity Picnic Organized activities Informal play Evening Low Activity Dog walking Jogging 30

Regular Activities Greenmarket Columbus Park Lunch Seating Columbus Park Festivals Borough Hall Soccer and Informal Play Cadman Plaza School Activities Cadman Plaza Dog Walking Cadman Plaza 31

Special Events Tastes of Brooklyn Columbus Park Chanukah Columbus Park Brooklyn Book Festival Borough Hall Carnival and Parade Borough Hall Walk-a-Thon Cadman Plaza Arab Heritage Music Cadman Plaza 32

Findings 33

Findings Accident Analysis Front Street and Old Fulton Street Barriers Elevated Roadway Inaccessible Space Prospect Street and Cadman Plaza West Jay/Prospect and Sands Street Pedestrian/Traffic Conflict High Medium Low Tillary Street and Cadman Plaza West Manhattan Bridge Plaza Jay Street and Tillary Street N Joralemon Street and Adams Street Jay Street and Myrtle Promenade Source: NYC Crashmapper - Number of collisions; includes cars, bikes, and pedestrians in last year (March 2013 - Februrary 2014) 34

Findings Space Usage Barriers Elevated Roadway Inaccessible Space Old Fulton Street Connection Cadman Plaza War Memorial Jay/Prospect and Sands Street Manhattan Bridge Plaza Open Space Programming Festival/Event Space Gathering Space Green Space Pedestrian Walkway/Plaza Korean War Veterans Park and area Jay Street and Tillary Street Jay Street and Myrtle Promenade N Joralemon Street and Adams Street 35

Findings Overlapping Identities PARK STREET CADMAN PLAZA PARK PLANTED BUFFERS AND INTERSTITIAL SPACES OLD FULTON STREET CIVIC SPACE ADAMS STREET NEAR YORK STREET COLUMBUS PARK N 36

Vegetation A Forest of Plane Trees 37

Vegetation A Forest of Plane Trees LONDON PLANE TREES OTHER CANOPY TREES CADMAN PLAZA PARK EVERGREEN SHRUBS WHITMAN PARK PERENNIAL GARDENS KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL AREA N CADMAN PLAZA, NEAR KINGS COUNTY SUPREME COURT 38

Edges Barriers and Limits 39

Edges Barriers and Limits FENCES BOLLARDS & SECURITY BARRIERS CADMAN PLAZA PARK CADMAN PLAZA WEST STEPS & CURBS WHITMAN PARK CADMAN PLAZA EAST WALLS COLUMBUS PARK ADAMS STREET N CADMAN PLAZA PARK CADMAN PLAZA EAST 40

Typologies 41

Typologies / Linear Park Hudson River Park, NYC 2015 Brooklyn Strand.8 miles Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Hudson River Park 2.3 miles Original: 1998 Renovated: 2003 Example of beads on a string Vegetation as buffering element and placemaker 42

Typologies / Linear Park St. Louis Citygarden Brooklyn Strand.8 miles Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Citygarden 1.4 miles Original: 1939-1965 Renovated: 2009 Transformed formal park into a series of spaces while still connecting civic core to the waterfront 43

Typologies / Linear Park Indianapolis Canal Walk Brooklyn Strand.8 miles Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Indianapolis Canal Walk 3 miles Original: 1980 Renovated: 2004 Reimagined promenade with a series of open spaces and cultural organizations along the length 44

Typologies / Linear Park Madrid Rio, Madrid, Spain Brooklyn Strand.8 miles Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Madrid Rio 0.82 miles Original: 2007-2011 Site elements as unifier such as furnishing, pavement patterning, and tree species. Transforming infrastructure into public space 45

Typologies / Boulevard La Ramblas Brooklyn Strand.8 miles Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various La Ramblas.75 miles Original: 1848 Renovated: 2010 Renovated promenade of similar length with segments of vendors with a distinctive feel 46

Typologies / Boulevard Boulevard Richard Lenoir, Paris, France Brooklyn Strand.8 miles Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Blvd Richard Lenoir 1.2 miles Original: 1859 Renovated: 1994 Wide median accommodates civic program, tri-weekly markets, and neighborhood programs 47

Typologies / Civic Space Madison Square Park Brooklyn Strand 21 acres Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Madison Square Park 6.2 acres Original: 1847 Modernized: 1931 Renovated: 2004 Renovation created accessible green space as well as integrated amenities and exhibits, becoming a destination space 48

Typologies / Civic Space Battery Park Brooklyn Strand 21 acres Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Battery Park 25 acres Original: 1800s Modernized: 1941 Renovated: 2005, 2014 New design accommodates tourist, office worker, and resident flows, including new attractions and bike infrastructure 49

Typologies / Civic Space Lincoln Center Brooklyn Strand 21 acres Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Lincoln Center 7.6 acres Original: 1962 Renovated: 2012 Civic campus with strong unifying identity and individualized character, flexible surface under vegetation 50

Typologies / Civic Space Bryant Park, NYC Brooklyn Strand 21 acres Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Bryant Park 9.6 acres Original: 1847 Renovated: 1992 Intensive programming activates space 51

Typologies / Civic Space Millennium Park, Chicago Brooklyn Strand 21 acres Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Millenium Park 199 acres Renovated: 2004 Art as creator of urban identity 52

Typologies / Civic Space Place de la Republique Brooklyn Strand 21 acres Original: 1936 Modernized: 1951 Renovated: various Place de la Republique 4 acres Original: 1879 Renovated: 2013 Simplification of ground plane, changing under large canopy trees, to an open and multifunctional plaza 53

Summary 54

Summary Park Network 1. Brooklyn Bridge Park 1 2 3 14 13 12 2. Old Fulton Plaza 3. Anchorage Plaza 4. Cadman Plaza Park 5. Whitman Park 4 5 11 6. Korean War Veterans Park 7. Columbus Park 8. Willoughby Plaza 10 9. MetroTech Plaza 6 10. McLaughlin Park 11. Manhattan Bridge Plaza 7 9 12. Bridge Park N 8 13. Bar and Grill Park 14. Clumber Corner 55

Summary Key Routes Key Routes N 56

Summary Key Areas Key Primary Areas Secondary Areas Old Fulton Street Connection Cadman Plaza War Memorial Jay/Prospect and Sands Street Manhattan Bridge Plaza Korean War Veterans Park and area Jay Street and Tillary Street Joralemon Street and Adams Street Jay Street and Myrtle Promenade N 57

Summary Key Areas / Planned Improvements Old Fulton Street Connection Jay/Prospect and Sands Street Key Primary Areas Secondary Areas Planned Improvement Cadman Plaza War Memorial Manhattan Bridge Plaza Korean War Veterans Park and area Jay Street and McLaughlin Park Jay Street and Myrtle Promenade N Joralemon Street and Adams Street 58

N N Summary Key Areas / Planned Improvements Key Primary Areas Secondary Areas Planned Improvement JAY ST. WASHINGTON ST. YORK ST. OLD FULTON ST. Old Fulton Street Connection Jay/Prospect and Sands Street PROSPECT ST. SANDS ST. Manhattan Bridge Plaza HIGH ST. 59

N Summary Key Areas / Planned Improvements Key Primary Areas Cadman Plaza War Memorial Secondary Areas Planned Improvement JAY ST. ADAMS ST. CADMAN PLAZA EAST CADMAN PLAZA WEST Jay Street and McLaughlin Park CLARK ST. TILLARY ST. Korean War Veterans Park and area JOHNSON ST. TECH PL. PIERREPONT ST. MONTAGUE ST. MYRTLE PROMENADE 60

N Summary Key Areas / Planned Improvements Key Primary Areas JAY ST. ADAMS ST. Secondary Areas CADMAN PLAZA E CLARK ST. Korean War Veterans Park and area Planned Improvement TILLARY ST. JOHNSON ST. TECH PL. PIERREPONT ST. Jay Street and Myrtle Promenade MONTAGUE ST. MYRTLE PROMENADE Joralemon Street and Adams Street JORALEMON ST. WILLOUGHBY ST. COURT ST. FULTON 61

Schedule Sept. 2014 Oct. 2014 TASK 1 / ASSESS CURRENT CONDITIONS Nov. 2014 Dec. 2014 Jan. 2014 Feb. 2014 TASK 2 / DESIGN STRATEGIES TASK 3 / DEVELOP DESIGN PRIORITIES IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 62 Oct 30 - Stakeholder Update (Thursday, 4:30-6p) Nov 13 - Working Group, Infrastructure (Thursday, 4:30-5:30p) Nov 17 - Charette/Public Workshop, CB2 Parks (Monday, 6:00-7:30p) Dec 11 - Working Group, Amenities (Thursday, 4:30-5:30p) Jan 15 - Final Stakeholder Presentation (Thursday, 4:30-6p) Sept 3 - Stakeholder kickoff (Thursday 4:00-5:00p) Oct 9 - Working Group, Open Space (Thursday, 4:30-5:30p)