Congressman Dan Goldman Calls for Reimagining Manhattan Anchorage of Brooklyn Bridge

Goldman Issues Letter to City in Support of Joining Divided Community; Transforming Dilapidated Infrastructure into Communal Hub and Green Space
 
Historically Underserved Chinatown Community on Manhattan Side of Bridge Deserves Robust Investment
 
Read the Letter Here
 
Project Summary and Social and Economic Impact Analysis Here

New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) on Friday called for reimagining and redevelopment of the Manhattan anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge. This redevelopment will serve the community, local stakeholders, and residents of NY-10 by transforming aging, unused, and dilapidated infrastructure into a public park and community hub that will have a dramatic impact on quality of life for a traditionally underserved community and neighborhood.
 
“The Chinatown community on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge has for too long received the short end of the community investment stick, and it’s long past time we reimagine how we can make use of the dilapidated Manhattan anchorage,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “This plan put together by constituents in the Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan community group is a model for community-driven redevelopment that will have a dramatic impact on quality of life for a traditionally underserved neighborhood. Having discussed the plan with City Hall, I am encouraged there is interest in the project and look forward to being a productive federal partner until this vision is finally realized.”
 
Text of the letter is below and can be read here.  
 
Dear Mayor Adams,
 
After hearing from numerous constituents, advocates, and local community leaders in my district, I am writing to you regarding the redevelopment of the Manhattan anchorage of the Brooklyn Bridge. I have discussed this plan with the Deputy Mayor and other members of the Administration and am encouraged that there is interest in this project. This redevelopment, which will seek support from several federal grant opportunities, will serve the community, local stakeholders, and residents of my district by transforming aging, unused, and dilapidated infrastructure into a public park and community hub that will have a dramatic impact on quality of life for a traditionally underserved community and neighborhood.
 
As outlined in Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan’s report, in the area surrounding the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan, 47,000 constituents live and millions more work and visit. In addition to the important environmental resiliency projects that are underway in the area, this new development would add to the important revitalization of this neighborhood, especially for the Chinatown and Lower East Side communities. As we reimagine New York City post-pandemic, the Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan site can serve as both an economic engine and provide great value to the surrounding communities.
The Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge has historically seen a much lower level of investment than neighboring communities and those directly across the Bridge. Since 2001, increased security measures have fragmented neighborhoods around the Bridge, while staging for Bridge rehabilitation projects has displaced previously active park and recreational space.
 
This beautification and renewal project involves reopening shuttered parks, transforming archways under the bridge into an artistic and experiential thoroughfare, and joining currently divided communities with a communal greenspace. With this project, nearly 50,000 residents will regain access to needed recreational space, reducing the gap with neighboring communities by 20 percent, and more than 760,000 people are expected to be served by the on-site community space and events.
 
The community surrounding the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most culturally and economically diverse communities in New York City. With more than 47,000 residents living within a 1⁄2-mile radius of the proposed project site, it is among the most densely populated neighborhoods in the City and 60 percent denser than neighborhoods across the bridge. This project offers a unique opportunity to reimagine a critical hub in a traditionally underserved neighborhoods that will bring both quality of life and economic benefits to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and tourists alike. I urge you to support this project and look forward to working with you to secure federal grant money to support its renovation. If you need any additional information, please reach out to my office.

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