TODAY: AN URBAN WASTELAND
Today the Brooklyn Bridge is a monumental physical and psychological barrier, dividing neighborhoods and creating a three-block-long infrastructural wasteland in the urban fabric.
People scurry through dimly lit archways to cross from one side to the other if they must, across intersections that are either fenced off and broken down, or crisscrossed with so many on and off ramps that crossing is perilous.
Buildings along both sides of the Bridge turn their backs to it, emphasizing the abandoned experience of the landscape.
TOMORROW: A LANDMARK COMMUNITY PARK
The Brooklyn Bridge is an internationally recognized symbol of New York City!
It should be active, celebrated and be the community anchor and hub. By opening up the lands and vaults beneath the Bridge, we will unlock it's enormous potential to create a neighborhood gathering point worthy of the iconic landmark that anchors itself at our doorstep.
Programming that changes throughout the day, week and seasons will utilize open multi-functional spaces so that we can support as many community needs as possible in the same footprint. Open play areas for yoga, tai chi, soccer and bicycling can transform into farmers and flea markets.
Our segmented and separated "parkettes" allow us to create a variety of seating experiences, from relaxing spaces for quiet contemplation with the majestic Brooklyn Bridge as your backdrop, to amphitheaters where you can meet your neighbors, catch an open-air movie, watch daring athletes do their thing, or an impromptu musical performance.
The Vaults at the base of the Bridge are a unique opportunity to house civic space for our residents to learn, grow and share within the a world-class Landmark that is rooted in the past and reaching to the future.
The goal of a community hub is to connect people. Programmatically we will actively connect, listen, share, educate, and mentor, with the aim of nurturing career opportunities, skills and support.
In hyper urban cities like ours, well-designed public spaces are ESSENTIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
New York's public parks are where our lives play out. We look forward to playing together.
TOMORROW: An urban hub
