Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #10-012

NYC DOT Announces Major Step In Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway Master Plan

Four community meetings to improve bicycle and pedestrian access along the Brooklyn waterfront, enhancing safety, increasing recreational opportunities

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) today announced it will host a series of community workshops on the future of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway—a planned 14-mile bicycle and pedestrian path stretching from Sunset Park to Greenpoint and connecting many existing parks and public open spaces along the waterfront. With funding from Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez, the project seeks to enhance waterfront access, improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and increase recreational opportunities in these areas, many of which are along underused and difficult-to-access corridors. While portions of the Greenway plan have been implemented in sections—including along Columbia Street in Red Hook—DOT is currently conducting a master planning process to refine the project elements and to target gaps in the network. Public feedback from these workshops will help inform the City as it reexamines the corridor and identifies goals for the DOT to work on with other agencies as it develops a long-term vision to implement in the coming years.

"Expanding the Greenway offers an opportunity to knit together waterfront neighborhoods from Greenpoint to Sunset Park, all while enhancing access to the Brooklyn waterfront itself," said Commissioner Sadik-Khan. "Creating a world-class pedestrian and bicycle path is also a chance to improve the look and safety of these neighborhoods, which is why we're working with communities to create the sustainable streets called for in our strategic plan and in the Mayor's PlaNYC agenda."

The series of four workshops includes one in each of the four waterfront community districts spanned by the Greenway, including Sunset Park, Red Hook, Downtown Brooklyn and Williamsburg/Greenpoint. A second series of workshops later this year will discuss route alternatives, which will be followed by the selection of the preferred route.

Improvements may include:

  • Safer sidewalks and pedestrian access along the waterfront
  • Enhanced bicycle access along safe, separated bicycle lanes on streets currently designed only for vehicles
  • More direct connections to other bike lanes
  • Minimizing conflicts among trucks, rail, cyclists and pedestrians in industrial areas along the route
  • Design incorporating each neighborhood's unique history and culture
  • Landscaping and planted areas that green the streets and link the Greenway to the parks and natural environment of the waterfront.

The new paths will bring the City closer to implementing the overall bicycle route network goal of 1,800 lane-miles installed in the five boroughs by 2026 and builds on the City's commitment to a greener future by promoting alternative modes of transportation. Bicycling has increased by 66% in the last two years alone as the bike lane network has more than doubled in size.

The four workshops, all in Brooklyn, will be held in collaboration with the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative and the Regional Planning Association and are scheduled from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the locations below. A list of the upcoming meetings is below. Please RSVP to brooklynwaterfrontgreenway@dot.nyc.gov.

Downtown Brooklyn
Thursday, March 25
Brooklyn Borough Hall
209 Joralemon Street
Bus/Subway: 2/3/4/5 to Borough Hall; R/M to Court St; A/C/F to Jay St-Boro Hall

Sunset Park
Thursday, April 8
St. Michael R.C. Church
Fourth Avenue and 42nd Street
Bus/Subway: D/M/N/R to 36th St; R to 45th St; B37, B63

Red Hook
Tuesday, April 13
Red Hook Recreation Center
155 Bay Street
Bus/Subway: B61, B77; F/G to Smith-9th St

Greenpoint/Williamsburg
Thursday, April 22
Brooklyn Brewery
79 North 11th Street
Bus/Subway: L to Bedford Av; B62

For questions about the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative, visit www.brooklyngreenway.org or call Meg Fellerath at (718) 522-0193. Further details also are available at www.nyc.gov/dot.

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