The goal is ultimately to set up Cadman Plaza and Borough Hall as the central gathering place for all of Brooklyn
This article is meant to help build a campaign around a concept for a promenade from Borough Hall down to Dumbo and Fulton Landing — an idea that we first introduced in the New York Times in 2007. Using a LQC (Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper) strategy, a series of experiments can be undertaken that would give direction for key parts of the large expanse of public spaces.
A Vision for the Future
Few would argue with the statement that Brooklyn Borough Hall, Court House, and Cadman Plaza may be the most underperforming public spaces in New York City. Their potential is enormous (and perhaps to some, obvious): Together, they could easily become parts of a central square and evolve into the main gathering place for all of Brooklyn. Linking down to Fulton Landing, these spaces could also become an esplanade, drawing people from the center down to the waterfront.
All of these spaces are close by to the bridges connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan, and to the DUMBO neighborhood. Their locations are a major asset, and the opportunity is only made more clear by the fact that much of the Brooklyn waterfront is underutilized.
Brooklyn has become a very different city over the last 30 years and needs to recognize that it has taken on a role as a major global city with a unique quality quite different from its neighbor across the East River. Now is the time for the public spaces in Brooklyn to reflect that quality.
Brooklyn's reputation as a city defined by different cultures is a significant part of its character that needs to be respected and showcased. This central area of Brooklyn is also very historic, but there is little to showcase that. Taking the time to tap into the unique and dynamic qualities of Brooklyn can lay the foundation for a transformation of these places.
One of the main problems is that Cadman Plaza has no clear paths connecting to different neighborhoods — something that would help it to be a real center point. If we could make that connection, it would place Cadman Plaza, the Court House, and Borough Hall into a prominent position.
The potential is enormous in the section encompassing the area from Brooklyn City Hall down to DUMBO, and stretching along the harbor to Atlantic Avenue and Red Hook.
What is clear is that there is no shortage of examples for Brooklyn to follow: There are so many cities that exhibit a level of greatness to which we Brooklynites could aspire...
Manhattan vs Brooklyn
Manhattan has some of the best squares anywhere. Bryant Park, Rockefeller Plaza, Union Square, Washington Square Park, and Madison Square all have qualities that we can learn from to be used in this group of public spaces.
Brooklyn has no important squares, but Borough Hall and Cadman Plaza along with the promenade down to the waterfront could eclipse all of those in Manhattan.
Bryant Park
Rockefeller Center
Union Square
Vienna and Paris City Halls
At the same time, cities like Vienna and Paris provide examples of how to create world-renowned gathering places.
Vienna City Hall Winter Xmas Market and Summer event
Fred Kent
Paris Hotel de Ville
Temporary LQC Activations
There are also plenty of examples of Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper ("LQC") activations that these spaces could learn from — some even within Brooklyn!
Former Brooklyn Dekalb Market
DeKalb Market was once a great outdoor destination, filled with salvaged shipping containers that housed food vendors, public art, and performance spaces. Now that the space where it once stood has been developed into a large building, it is remembered fondly and lives on in the form of a new version of that market in the basement of the building.
Exhibitions
Places like the Left Bank in Paris have hosted exhibitions in connection with local museums – adding the opportunity to enjoy public art to the long list of reasons to take a stroll.
Paris Left Bank exhibition below Musée D'Orsay.
Temporary Restaurants Times Square and the Seine in Paris
Times Square Temporary Restaurant
In Times Square and along the Seine in Paris, temporary restaurants often pop up to mix up the types of activities taking place in these iconic destinations — adding an attractive culinary destination that invites lingering has proved to be a valuable addition.
Paris Upper Seine Temporary Restaurants
Markets as Central Anchors
London's Borough Market and Food Truck Market
Borough Market in London anchors the neighborhood with its exciting mix of vendors and food trucks serving cuisines from all over the world.
Borough Market London
London Food Truck Market
Munich's Victuals Market
Munich's Victuals Market (Viktualienmarkt) is a great example of a historic square that draws people in with market stalls, food, and unique places to sit and socialize.
Kathy Madden
Esplanades from Central City to Waterfronts: Barcelona, Stockholm, and Helsinki
Barcelona, Helsinki, and Stockholm are examples of cities that draw people from the center of the city to the waterfronts with esplanades.
Fred Kent
Kungstradgarten, Stockholm, Sweden
Helsinki Waterfront Esplanade
Barcelona's Las Ramblas
Takeaways
Steve Davies
Fred Kent
Kathy Madden
One clear takeaway is that all examples, including those in Manhattan excel because they are program-driven and flexible for year-round uses.
This program-driven, Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper ("LQC") approach from events, to exhibitions, to temporary markets, pop-up food stalls, performances, and seasonal and cultural events could define Brooklyn to the world.
We want to hear from you! This post, along with other efforts, add to a discussion that we hope, ultimately, will pave the way for a dramatic transformation of the downtown core of Brooklyn, and our nearby neighborhoods.
Who We Are
Fred Kent
Fred Kent
