Brooklyn Borough President

BOROUGH PRESIDENT JOINS GOVERNOR PATAKI AND MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG IN OPENING NEWEST SECTION OF BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK

Photograph by Kathryn Kirk
	In photo: left to right - Governor Pataki, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Borough President Markowitz and Mayor Bloomberg)

Borough President Marty Markowitz joined Governor George E. Pataki and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today to open the newest segment of Brooklyn Bridge Park. This 1.5-acre segment was converted from a parking lot into lush green parkland as part of a far-reaching City/State plan to transform a 1.3-mile stretch of the formerly industrial Brooklyn waterfront. In July of 2001, work began to provide increased public access to Brooklyn’s historic waterfront, and today’s opening celebrated the $6.6 million, city-funded renovation of this portion of the park. Borough President Markowitz contributed almost $1.5 million in funding for the project.

“This is Brooklyn at its best. When we reclaim our waterfront, we reclaim our past while ensuring our future. Brooklyn Bridge Park is a once in a lifetime opportunity to create something that will out last all of us here today, which is why I was thrilled to be able to help fund this historic project,” Borough President Markowitz said. “This park is a great example of what can happen when government and the community work hand in hand creating an urban oasis in the greatest city in the world – Brooklyn!”

State Senator Martin Connor, State Senator Martin Golden, Assemblymember Joan Millman, Councilmember David Yassky, Deputy Mayor for Administration Patricia Harris, Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Empire State Development Corporation Chairman Charles Gargano were also on hand.