Big Plans for Fulton Mall Makeover

The Downtown Brooklyn Partnership is gearing up for a $15 million renovation of the Fulton Mall. According to an article by Stephen Witt in the print edition of yesterday’s Courier Life, the renovation will take two years and be performed in two phases. Phase 1 will create new public space (to be called Albee Square Plaza) in front of the entrance to the old Albee Square Mall; as part of this project, Dekalb Avenue will be closed from Bond Street to Albee Square West. The Partnership envisions this space being used for anything from performances to outdoor markets. Phase 2, which won’t start until next year, will address outdoor infrastructure like sidewalks and street furniture throughout the rest of the Fulton Mall. “The new streetscape will bring everything down to a more personal and individual level so instead of seeing a giant ugly bus shelter you will see trees, benches, plantings and the stores,” DBP’s Michael Burke told The Courier. Existing retail tenants and landlords, who have been consulted though the design process, are looking forward to the upgrades: “When we saw the plans for this we were absolutely thrilled,” said Macy’s SVP Ed Goldberg. “It will make the whole streetscape much more modern and conducive to shopping and safer.”