Governor Cuomo Announces Transformational Projects for Downtown Brooklyn as Part of $10 Million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award
Statement
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced six transformational projects for Downtown Brooklyn as part of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award. The strategic investments in Downtown Brooklyn will build upon the area's role as one of the most dynamic, rapidly evolving areas of New York City, a symbol of urban resurgence, and a vital business, residential, cultural, civic, and transportation center. The investments are part of the Governor's ongoing efforts to revitalize the economy and create more opportunities for New York City.
"This investment reflects our commitment to Brooklyn's continued growth and enhanced quality of life for residents and visitors alike," Governor Cuomo said. "Downtown Brooklyn's transformation into a hub for culture, entertainment and economic opportunity is a remarkable success story, and the DRI will ensure that the trend continues."
"The transformation of Downtown Brooklyn and the Navy Yard has been a catalyst for growth and job creation, and we are committed to building on that progress," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who made today's announcement. "With funding from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, significant projects to improve walkability and safety will better connect Downtown Brooklyn and the Navy Yard to surrounding neighborhoods. These efforts will help to improve quality of life and advance momentum for continued investment and growth."
Downtown Brooklyn was named a DRI Round 3 winner in October 2018. Downtown Brooklyn is the borough's central business district, as well as its civic, cultural, transit and employment hub. With more than 12,000 residential units, 20 million square feet of occupied offices, 11 higher education institutions, and new retail and entertainment destinations, the area has been transformed into a 24/7 community. Downtown Brooklyn has become an urban center for the information technology, arts, and entertainment industries. To reap the full benefits of Downtown Brooklyn's recent economic growth, the DRI effort will spur investment in much needed critical infrastructure in the Downtown core to create welcoming and safe connections to key neighborhood assets, ensure equitable and accessible future growth, and improve the wellbeing and job opportunities in traditionally underserved communities. Jumpstarted by the DRI investment, Downtown Brooklyn will improve the public spaces and physical connections to the neighborhoods by extending educational and entrepreneurial opportunities and linking cultural hubs of the Downtown core, the Brooklyn Cultural Districts, DUMBO, and surrounding communities.
The specific projects to be funded through the DRI include:
Improve Streetscapes and Pedestrian Safety along Tillary, Navy, and Park Corridors: Create pedestrian-friendly streetscapes along the Tillary, Navy, and Park corridors, addressing the enduring impact on a formerly cohesive neighborhood of the construction of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, by reconnecting the communities surrounding Commodore Barry Park and the Brooklyn Navy Yard with Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, the BAM Cultural District, and other nearby destinations. This project will result in safe pedestrian crossings on St. Edwards Street and at the intersection of Tillary and Navy Street, with potential improvements including improved traffic configurations, wayfinding signs, bike lanes, seating, planters and drainage systems.
Transform Walt Whitman Library into a Modern Community Hub: Renovate and expand outdated program space at a historic Brooklyn Public Library Branch to support job training and community programming, providing flexible spaces responsive to the way patrons use a public library in the 21st Century. The upgrades to the interior of the 7,000-squarefoot facility include demolition and relocation of the circulation desk, renovation of the community room, floor replacement, furniture upgrades, shelving improvements, electrical upgrades, and improved layout of the children's, teen, and adult sections and new mezzanine spaces.
Upgrade Commodore Barry Park with Better Access and Modern Play Spaces: Build on recent and pending improvements to Brooklyn's oldest neighborhood park with improved access and modern play spaces, supporting the space's routine use as a prominent community gathering place and hub of cultural activity.
Create a Digital Tech Center at the Ingersoll Community Center: Transform the Ingersoll Community Center's multi-purpose conference space into a full digital lab and gathering space to support new job readiness and arts programming. DRI funding will be used to relocate the center's server room and purchase computer equipment and furniture.
Improve Accessibility to the Brooklyn Navy Yard: Reconstruct the Brooklyn Navy Yard's Cumberland Street Gate to improve sight-lines, enable multi-model access, and create a safer environment for pedestrians. The project will enhance connectivity to this prominent and growing commercial, employment, and community anchor area.
Create a Public Art and Placemaking Fund: Establish a grant program focused on public art, placemaking, and cultural access to create new opportunities for local artists and cultural organizations to expand their reach to residents, workers, and visitors. Potential projects include large-scale art and placemaking installations and ADA capital improvements to public cultural spaces such as assisted listening devices, and accessible ticket counters, doors and ramps.
Downtown Brooklyn developed a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize its downtown with $300,000 in planning funds from the $10 million DRI grant. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders, and other stakeholders led the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners. The Strategic Investment Plan for Downtown Brooklyn examined local assets and opportunities and identified economic development, transportation, housing, and community projects that align with the community's vision for downtown revitalization and that are poised for implementation.
The DRI projects are the latest example of Governor Cuomo's ongoing commitment to Brooklyn and New York City.
New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said, "Downtown Brooklyn is ready for great things. Governor Cuomo's Downtown Revitalization Initiative delivers smart, useful investments to communities throughout the state that lead to further investment and growth. This is a proud day for the entire Borough and I am excited for the projects about to launch."
Empire State Development President, CEO & Chairman Howard Zemsky said, "Brooklyn is more than a borough - it's now an international brand, attracting both tourists and expanding companies. Through targeted investments in placemaking, open space and community amenities, these projects will help continue Downtown Brooklyn's revitalization."
New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, "Governor Cuomo's Downtown Revitalization Initiative puts spending power directly in the hands of the community. Here in Downtown Brooklyn, there is a great need for targeted, publicly-driven investment. The projects selected for funding complement the Governor's wide-reaching housing and health initiative - Vital Brooklyn. Since 2011, we have invested more than $2 billion in the borough, resulting in the production or preservation of more than 15,000 affordable apartments."
Assembly Member Joseph R. Lentol said, "I am extremely proud and excited for our community today. Thanks to Governor Cuomo's Downtown Revitalization Initiative, Brooklyn has a renewed sense of pride. These investments will pay dividends for decades to come and we look forward to seeing the projects come to life."
Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley said, "Downtown Brooklyn is a modern-day Cinderella story. It was once a place where not many people ventured but today it has become one of the strongest local economies in New York. Brooklyn is thriving and with initiatives such as the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, we will continue to thrive. Downtown Brooklyn is not only ready, willing, and able but eager to begin our next chapter in solidifying ourselves as the premier location in the city for both businesses and New Yorkers."
Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon said, "Brooklyn will greatly benefit from these projects via the Downtown Revitalization Initiative. They will beautify our streetscapes and show the world what we have to offer. This is a great day for Brooklyn."
New York City Regional Economic Development Council Co-Chairs Cheryl A. Moore, President & COO of the New York Genome Center, and Winston Fisher, Partner of Fisher Brothers, said, "Brooklyn's rapid growth has helped grow our city's economy, but we must ensure all members of the community have the opportunity to succeed. Downtown Brooklyn's DRI projects develop the infrastructure that enables equitable growth opportunities for the neighborhood, as well as creating public assets for all New Yorkers to enjoy."
"I thank Lieutenant Governor Hochul and the New York City REDC for their leadership in their Downtown Revitalization Initiative. Thanks to the State's $10M DRI award that we secured for Downtown Brooklyn, we've been able to develop a plan focused on improving the livability and connectivity of our borough's downtown core. Our community visioning process has also helped us produce projects that prioritize the arts, accessibility, and workforce development, as well as street safety for local residents crossing from their homes to job at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. As I've said over and over, the popularity of our borough must translate into prosperity for all Brooklynites, and these investments will further that mission," said Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams.
City Council Member Stephen T. Levin said, "Downtown Brooklyn is a community that deserves and needs smart planning to ensure residents and businesses are welcome for generations to come. These investments do just that. Thanks to Governor Cuomo's Downtown Revitalization Initiative, the neighborhood will see projects come to fruition that make a positive difference."
For more information on the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, go to: www.ny.gov/programs/downtown-revitalization-initiative.
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