Plan for Breathing Life into Downtown Ghost Parks
In a Times profile of Project for Public Spaces founder founder Fred Kent, the urban anthropologist calls the half-mile stretch of parks running north of Borough Hall a prime example of public space that could be better utilized. According to Kent, the frequently deserted parks could be transformed into a lively pedestrian market like Las…
In a Times profile of Project for Public Spaces founder founder Fred Kent, the urban anthropologist calls the half-mile stretch of parks running north of Borough Hall a prime example of public space that could be better utilized. According to Kent, the frequently deserted parks could be transformed into a lively pedestrian market like Las Ramblas in Barcelona. Kent envisions a market dotted with art stalls and produce stands that connects to the Brooklyn Bridge walkway, resulting in what could be the best approach to the waterfront in the United States. And Kent says the cost to develop the market would be less than $2 million, with rents from the market paying off the outlay within a couple of years. Seems like a great idea to us. Think it’s realistic?
Brooklyn Borough Hall [NY Times]
When do they have that tented vendor’s area I remember seeing last year when I was on jury duty? That was a good idea, especially if they attract more artistic goods, instead of just tshirts, socks and cell phone covers. The vendors at the outdoor mall in Union Square near for Christmas is more like what I’d want to see, plus some food and produce/flowers. It can’t all be high end, though, it won’t work, not enough people will support it. They need to attract a nice mixture of affordable, yet cool, as well as expensive arts and crafts.
We do not want Las Ramblas — it is nothing more than a wide “parkway” on a business street with a bunch of tourist stands and assorted street “artists” like at Times Square or South Street. However, there is a lot that could be done with some good stands — and the skyway is very much needed. I would engage the hotels (Marriott and the new one on Duffield?), MetroTech BID, new Schermerhorn/Livingston BID. It will enhance the visitor ecperience. And for locals, like us, a park with no one in it is still sort of creepy in spite of longing for quiet — too many thefts etc (Brooklyn Paper crime column).
I read the article in the New York Times yesterday, and I think Fred Kent has got some great ideas. I’ve never been to Barcelona, but I envision something like the book stands that line the Seine in Paris, along with artists vending their creations, maybe some nice jewelry stands like we have on Seventh Avenue in Park Slope, and if not produce stands (there is a greenmarket in the area, after all) then some upscale food vendors (or yes, something like Shake Shack!). I particularly like Kent’s idea of building a skyway to the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian walkway. I hate how the only options now are either to walk through the traffic on Adams Street, or find that dark hidden stairway at the north end of the Cadman Plaza parks.
I think Kent’s vision is quite realistic, is relatively affordable, and would add value to the Court Street and Borough Hall area in many ways. So who do we lobby to consider this idea seriously?
I live a few blocks away and every time I walk past this area I think about how underutilized it is. Why not do some free little concerts or performances during the summer? An outdoor market would be a great idea. To those who would complain about losing space to playing soccer or whatnot…I never see more than like 3 or 4 people actually ‘playing’ there at any time. It’s a huge space and if it could be used by 100 or more people at a time, I don’t think there’s much of an argument to make.
it’s underuitlized on the weekends, during the week it’s packed. Every school from both sides of the Plaza uses that area as their playground. Baseball, soccer practices and recess from preK-12 monday – friday.
as long as the fair has some good stuff.
original stuff we don’t see everywhere else at all those fairs.
like a true artist market…
or a real greenmarket…
not just schlock.
I play soccer there every now and then so I would hate to loose that, but it is a highly underutilized space. And pretty amazing considering that it is sandwiched between Brooklyn Heights and Dumbo, two of the most expensive neighbs in the borrough. Makes you wonder if those areas have too much outdoor space already. While other parts of Brooklyn are clamoring for more open space. But getting back to the topic, I say yes to the outdoor market.
Keep George Clooney’s parked there for a few more day and you won’t need any further improvement.
it may have young and fabulous because it’s NEAR young and fabulous, not a few miles away from them on a road to nowhere