“The Arches” Under Brooklyn Bridge Restored As Park Space, Outdoor Dining Season Ends, Research Shows Some Vision Zero Modifications Saved Pedestrian Lives Among Low Income New Yorkers

NYC DOT OPENS NEXT PHASE OF “THE ARCHES,” NEW INVITING PUBLIC SPACE ON MANHATTAN SIDE OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE 

Open NOW, Newest Neighborhood Amenity Adds Nearly 15,000 Square Feet of Public Space, Offering Residents and Tourists Easy Access, Park Benches, and Shade Trees 

Area Had Been Closed for More Than a Decade as Part of Major Restoration and Cleaning of Brooklyn Bridge, Now Nearing Completion

Editor’s note: Under this administration, parks and green spaces have been expanded, adding untold riches to local communities.  As we’ve covered during our interviews with Richard Louv and Doug Tallamy, the effects of natural parkland and other undisturbed areas on cognitive and emotional development in children especially, but also for adults, who can find peace and serenity to lower depression and anxiety. These benefits cannot be overstated even though they can be harder to measure. 

We’ve also previously covered the outdoor dining rules and regulations that were recently updated. 

Public space in The Arches now open. Image Credit: NYC DOT

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez announced that more public space on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge has opened today. Earlier sections of that public space, collectively known as “The Arches,” which serve to physically connect the Bridge to Chinatown, were opened last year to honor the 140th anniversary of the Brooklyn Bridge’s opening.

“Public space in Manhattan is precious – every acre counts for the people who live, work in, and visit our bustling metropolis,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “Where better to continue to deliver peaceful, elevated public space than a stone’s throw from Chinatown, in the shade of one of our city’s most iconic landmarks, the Brooklyn Bridge. While we have miles to go to complete our whole vision for this area, we are also grateful to be able to celebrate the wins and welcome New York to an area too long cordoned off, a new refuge for fun and relaxation.”

“For the last decade, NYC DOT crews have worked hard to restore the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, creating a cleaner, brighter, and safer bridge to last us another century,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Now that this critical restoration is nearing a close, we are returning another portion of ‘The Arches’ to the community. For residents of and visitors to lower Manhattan and Chinatown, even small public spaces are precious – and we will continue working with the community to open even more of the Arches in the months ahead.”

“When people think about the Brooklyn Bridge, the beautiful space under the bridge in Dumbo and Brooklyn Bridge Park also come to mind,” said Ya-Ting Liu, Chief Public Realm Officer. “Soon, the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge will provide the public with just as iconic public space and vistas. Today marks another major step towards that vision.”

The area opening today had served as a contractor staging area for the last decade, supporting restoration for the Brooklyn Bridge, projects which have together totaled more than $1 billion in investment. The newest “Arches” space returns 1/3-acre of space to the community – with access to more than a dozen tall shade trees, including oaks, elms, and Japanese pagoda trees. Sixteen park benches, many with views of the adjacent historic bridge, have also been restored and installed around the space, bounded by Park Row on the north and Rose Street to the south.

The area of “The Arches,” outlined in green, opening to the public today. Blue outlined section opened to the public last year. Image Credit: NYC DOT

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In May 2023, Mayor Eric Adams announced the opening of The Arches as well as the revitalization of public space near the Brooklyn Bridge and in Chinatown, next to the “Brooklyn Banks” site, once known as the “mecca of New York skateboarding.” The Arches honors this history with a revitalized skate space designed in partnership with Tony Hawk’s The Skatepark Project (TSP). The Administration continues to work closely with TSP to ensure all materials and design features of the park meet the safety, wellness, and performance needs of the action sports community ensuring that the site’s historic legacy continues for years to come. Additionally, the new one acre of space opened with facilities for basketball, pickleball, and shuffleboard, along with publicly available seating — all directly adjacent to the 53 historic arches on the north side of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The largest sections of the Arches area have yet to be re-opened – and NYC DOT has begun a local engagement process, which includes community board meetings and visioning sessions to be held before the end of this year. In September, the agency also applied to US DOT seeking a federal grant to fund the next sections of the Arches project under the Reconnecting Communities Pilot, created under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. That pilot specifically targets projects designed to “reinstitute community connectivity.” The agency awaits a decision on an award.

About the Brooklyn Bridge

An American icon, the Brooklyn Bridge’s construction began in January 1869. When it opened on May 24, 1883, the bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world and the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere. The bridge’s grand opening was met with great fanfare, including President Chester A. Arthur attending the festivities. The bridge, which originally included trolley service, today accommodates vehicle traffic, a pedestrian walkway, and dedicated bike lanes added in 2021. An estimated 120,000 vehicles, 30,000 pedestrians, and 4,000 cyclists use the bridge each day.

Made of limestone, granite, brick, steel, and concrete, the bridge’s recent restoration featured meticulous cleaning of every individual stone and brick. The mortar used to hold the stones together in the restoration was sourced from the same upstate New York quarry as the original mortar. After decades of maintaining a brown appearance from generations of dirt, grime, and pollution, the deep clean restored the bridge’s towers to their original gray color.

“I’m thrilled that this large section of The Arches has been restored and is now open to the neighborhood, which despite being one of the most densely populated areas of Manhattan has access to very little open space and has been historically underplanted. Restoring The Arches is an innovative use of existing open space,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “I look forward to the work continuing to renovate and re-open the remainder of The Arches, bringing much-needed new green, open space to Lower Manhattan.”

“The opening of The Arches in Manhattan is a victory for all New Yorkers, adding 15,000 more square footage of greenspace and improving the quality of life for thousands of residents,” said Congressmember Dan Goldman. “I commend NYC DOT and Commissioner Rodriguez for expanding the recreational space available to New Yorkers in the Lower East Side. I look forward to the project’s completion and will continue working to make efficient and productive use of our city’s scarce land.”

“I have long advocated for the City to reopen the iconic spaces underneath and around the Brooklyn Bridge for public use, amplifying the voices of many residents of our community. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, the dedicated team at DOT, and the Mayor’s Office for their hard work and commitment to making this a reality,” said State Senator Brian Kavanagh. “Opening up this beautiful space, now accessible to residents and visitors of Lower Manhattan and Chinatown, marks an important step towards enhancing the quality of life in our community. With nearly 15,000 square feet of lush greenery and restored benches, it’s a wonderful opportunity for relaxation and connection. In the coming months and years, I envision this area being further revitalized to host a diverse range of programming and activities, fostering community engagement and enriching the lives of all who visit.”

“I commend Commissioner Rodriguez and the DOT for their work in opening this space for public use,” said Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick. “Even though the Arches area is outside of my district, our Lower Manhattan communities will benefit greatly from open public space, and I’m so glad this section will include benches and shade trees for those New Yorkers seeking respite outdoors.”

“Bringing The Arches back to life is a huge win for Lower Manhattan and Chinatown, where open space is so limited but so vital to our community’s health and well-being,” said City Councilmember Christopher Marte. “This newly opened area under the iconic Brooklyn Bridge not only provides shade and a spot to rest but also symbolizes an investment in our public spaces and our neighborhood. As we continue working to make Lower Manhattan more livable, it’s encouraging to see these long-closed areas returned to the community for everyone to enjoy.”

“Gotham Park, Plaza Partner of the NYC DOT for the Arches, applauds the hard work of the women and men of DOT and City Hall who have labored to open this treasured next section for public use. Enormous thanks to Mayor Eric Adams, DM Meera Joshi, CPRO Ya-Ting Liu, SA James Archer, and their diligent teams at City Hall for investing in our environmental justice neighborhood. Thank you, Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and the entire DOT team, our neighbors at NYPD and CTD, MOCEJ and EDC,” said Rosa Chang, Co-Founder and President of Gotham Park. “A project as complicated as the Arches, spanning multiple agencies, bureaucracies, stages, and hurdles, requires the focus, time and hard work of an enormous number of people behind the scenes who make today possible. We the community will treasure this enlarged space for us to breathe, play, dance, garden, and build friendships. This is only the second step of a long journey to envision, fund, and build a legacy public space, creating supportive and inspiring civic infrastructure for generations to come. Gotham Park thanks you ALL for your partnership in this important endeavor for New York City.”

“The Brooklyn Banks is not only a valuable community space, but one of the most iconic skate spots in the history of skateboarding. The Skatepark Project has had the honor of working to ensure that the Banks retains its authenticity and continues to be a celebrated skateboarding destination for years to come,” said Benjamin Anderson Bashein, Chief Executive Officer of The Skatepark Project. “The City, Gotham Park, and Vans have served as instrumental partners as we work cohesively to maintain the Banks and re-open it for the public to enjoy.”

“This revitalized space at The Arches is a remarkable addition to the community that Pace calls home right in the heart of Lower Manhattan. It exemplifies the power of following through on a vision, and we are deeply grateful to the NYC Department of Transportation for their extraordinary efforts in restoring this vital public space,” said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “I want to especially thank Gotham Park’s co-founder and president Rosa Chang for her innovative leadership and commitment to making this project a reality. Her dedication has made possible a space that will inspire reflection, connection, and learning—not only for our students but for everyone in this vibrant community.”

END OF SEASON: NOVEMBER 29 IS THE FINAL DAY TO REMOVE ROADWAY OUTDOOR DINING SETUPS

Sidewalk Outdoor Dining Continues Year-Round, Roadway Season Will Resume April 1

Businesses Needing Outdoor Dining Storage and Rental Solutions May Consult the Dining Out NYC Marketplace

Applications Are Open Year-Round To Apply for Dining Out NYC

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez reminds all food service establishments with roadway outdoor dining setups that these setups must be removed by the end of the day on November 29. Establishments with compliant sidewalk-based outdoor dining setups may continue to operate year-round. Dining Out NYC, the nation’s largest outdoor dining program, made outdoor dining a permanent part of our city’s streetscape. The program preserves what New Yorkers came to enjoy about outdoor dining while addressing important quality of life concerns.

“New Yorkers have come to enjoy outdoor dining and the Dining Out NYC program has made it a permanent part of the fabric of our city,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Businesses with roadway outdoor dining must remove their setups by the end of the day on November 29. I encourage all restaurants who want to participate to apply for Dining Out NYC at nyc.gov/DiningOut.”

Any establishment that does not remove its roadway setup by the end of the day on November 29 will be subject to fines. Under legislation passed by the New York City Council, the roadway outdoor dining season operates from April 1 through November 29 each year.

To make it as convenient as possible for small business owners to participate in outdoor dining, the Dining Out NYC Marketplace is available as a resource to help businesses find storage, setup, and rental solutions for their outdoor dining furniture and materials. The Marketplace vendors provide a variety of services and products, including setup design, assembly, breakdown, and more. Participating restaurants are not required to utilize Marketplace vendors or products.

Restaurants can continue to apply to the Dining Out NYC program throughout the year. Roadway dining is permitted from April 1 through November 29, while sidewalk dining is allowed year-round.

Restaurants can visit the Dining Out NYC website for more information, including an FAQ on program rules, the Setup Menu with design options for compliant outdoor dining setups, and access to the optional Dining Out NYC Marketplace for purchasing or renting outdoor dining materials and services.

For more information and to apply, visit nyc.gov/DiningOut

NYC VISION ZERO TASK FORCE AWARDS RESEARCHERS THE INAUGURAL VISION ZERO RESEARCH AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRAFFIC SAFETY RESEARCH

Researchers are recognized for quality research that advances understanding of road safety challenges

Studies applicable and actionable to New York City and municipal road safety

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, in collaboration with the NYC Vision Zero Task Force, today announced the winner of an inaugural Vision Zero Research Award at the seventh convening of Research on the Road, a Vision Zero Taskforce-led conference. This non-monetary award from New York City’s Vision Zero Task Force honors researchers who study ways to improve road safety and advance the goal of eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries on city streets. The winning submissions aligned with New York City’s road safety priorities, offered actionable insights for city agencies to improve road safety, employed sound research methods, and clearly outlined their limitations.

“In the City of New York, we recognize that deaths and serious injuries in traffic are not inevitable ‘accidents,’ but preventable crashes that can be ended through engineering, enforcement, and education,” said NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “By focusing on data-driven solutions, we can continue making our streets safer for everyone. Congratulations to the researchers from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, as well as the Honorable Mention recipients, for their critical contributions to advancing this goal.”

The Vision Zero Research Award is being presented to the research team from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health for their study titled, “Physical environmental roadway interventions and injury and death for vulnerable road users: a natural experiment in New York City.” Researchers  Leah E. Roberts, Brady Bushover, Christina A. Mehranbod, Ariana N. Gobaud, Carolyn Fish, Evan L. Eschliman, Xiang Gao, Siddhesh Zadey, and Christopher N. Morrison authored the winning submission.

This study evaluated the effectiveness of three physical roadway interventions—enhanced crossings, speed humps, and turn traffic calming—in reducing crashes that result in pedestrian and cyclist injuries or fatalities in New York City. The findings suggest that turn traffic calming can significantly lower crash risks for pedestrians. Municipalities are encouraged to prioritize this intervention, particularly at turns near long street segments, as a cost-effective measure with a significant public health impact.

The City of New York commends the research team for their vital work, which provides valuable insights into the impact of road design interventions in the city. The City also extends Honorable Mention awards to two teams for their outstanding research.

Kristin Mammen, Hyoung Suk Shim, and Bryan S. Weber, of CUNY’s College of Staten Island, are recognized for their research titled, “Vision Zero: Speed Limit Reduction and Traffic Injury Prevention in New York City.”  Their research reveals important insights about the effects of speed limit reduction in New York City

Kacie Dragan and Sherry Glied, formerly and currently of New York University, are recognized for their research titled, “Major Traffic Safety Reform and Road Traffic Injuries Among Low-Income New York Residents, 2009–2021.”  This research describes important insights about the effects of Vision Zero among low-income New York City residents compared to low-income residents in nearby jurisdictions.

The Vision Zero Task Force also thanked selection committee members from academic institutions who, alongside Vision Zero city agency staff and analysts, read and evaluated dozens of submissions for this award:

• Dr. Xueqing (Summer) Huang, Department of Computer Sciences, New York Institute of Technology
• Heidi E. Jones PhD, MPH, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, CUNY School of Public Health
• Jennifer M. Norton, PhD, Department of Population Health, NYU Langone Health
• Matthew Volovski, PhD, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Manhattan University

Banner Image: The Arches park under the Brooklyn Bridge. Image Credit – NYC DOT