What's The Hold-Up at Dumbo Park?

After assuming control of Empire Fulton Ferry Park last year under a 99-year lease with New York State, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation closed the popular stretch of public waterfront space at the end of the year to embark on a $3.5 million renovation. (The renovation is supposed to include new lighting, drainage and lawn work in addition to the installation of Jane’s Carousel.) The park has remained closed since then but the renovations have yet to begin, frustrating some area residents. “People are really missing the park. There’s no reason for it,” Doreen Gallo, executive director of the DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance, told The Daily News. What’s the hold-up? The News cites a source who says that State Controller Thomas DiNapoli is causing the delay over a legal technicality, but BBPDC denies that’s got anything to do with. A source we spoke to who’s close to the situation offered another, less nefarious, theory: That the push to open the widely-praised Pier 1 required all the resources at the park’s disposal. From what we hear, work at Empire Fulton Ferry Park will get started shortly.
Turf War to Blame for Delay at DUMBO Park [NY Daily News]
Empire-Fulton Ferry Park Temporarily Closing [Brownstoner]
BBPDC To Assume Control of Fulton Ferry Park [Brownstoner]