Mayor Mamdani Unveils Proposal for Transformational Redesign of Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza

Grand Army Plaza's current design (L) and NYC DOT's proposal (R).

NEW YORK - Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced today a proposal to create a world-class public space and dramatically improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at Grand Army Plaza by connecting the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch to Prospect Park. The project aims to make it easier to travel around and through the plaza, including by streamlining bus service on one of the busiest routes in Brooklyn, with 27,300 daily riders on the B41 and 5,600 daily riders on the B6.

NYC DOT will finalize the capital project's design through a series of public workshops beginning on April 23. More information and a community feedback survey will be posted online the day of the workshops at nyc.gov/grandarmyplaza. The survey will be available through Sunday, May 31.

"Grand Army Plaza is the gateway to Brooklyn's backyard, Prospect Park - and it should welcome New Yorkers with street design that puts safety first," said Mayor Mamdani. "Anyone who's tried to cross here knows how dangerous and chaotic the streets can be. This redesign is long overdue and will provide a sense of ease and enjoyment to one of Brooklyn's most important public spaces."

"This restoration will breathe new life into one of Brooklyn's most historic spaces, bringing critical improvements that will make the plaza safer and more accessible for everyone," said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. "This is a significant step toward building better-designed public spaces with the needs of New Yorkers front and center."

"Under Mayor Mamdani, we are focused on making our streets the envy of the world - and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn presents a perfect opportunity to do so," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. "Every time NYC DOT has provided more space to pedestrians at the park, it's been an instant success, and it becomes impossible to think of how the space could have functioned before. The Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Arch is an iconic symbol of Brooklyn, and we're ready to take the next big step to create a public space all of Brooklyn will be proud of and enjoy."

"Our parks are at their best when they are safe, welcoming and easy for all New Yorkers to get to. This improvement to Grand Army Plaza would give pedestrians and cyclists a safer and more relaxing way to enter Prospect Park and take advantage of all it has to offer," said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. "We look forward to working with our partners in the community and across City government to reshape this space for the benefit of all New Yorkers."

Previous workshops held in 2024 showed significant community support for the project with over 85% of the 3,600 survey respondents supporting a project that connects the park and plaza to the Memorial Arch and Bailey Fountain, or "Option B" in the outreach summary chart below.