Brooklyn is seeing a wave of infrastructure changes this summer—from streetscape upgrades and safety improvements in DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights, and Greenpoint to system-wide updates to the NYC Ferry network and the upcoming closure of a concrete recycling plant along the Columbia Street waterfront. Looking ahead, a vision plan for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal redevelopment is heading to a task force vote, and a floating pool destined for the East River is beginning to take shape at a shipyard in Red Hook.
Safety improvements for cyclists & pedestrians at Manhattan Bridge entrance in DUMBO
The NYC DOT has announced a plan to improve safety—especially for cyclists—at the busy intersection of Jay Street and Sands Street in DUMBO, near the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge bicycle and pedestrian paths. The upgrades include a new sidewalk extension with more space and ramps for cyclists, dedicated ramps for each crosswalk to replace shared ones, and the removal of iron fencing near the fire hydrant at the entrance to the Manhattan Bridge bike ramp. The goal is to boost visibility, enhance bike access, and make pedestrian crossings shorter and safer.
Brooklyn Heights’ Squibb Park gets a new crosswalk and oversight from Brooklyn Bridge Park
The NYC DOT has added a new crosswalk and stop sign at the Brooklyn Heights entrance to Squibb Park, a busy access point to Brooklyn Bridge Park—greatly improving safety for pedestrians, especially families with young children and strollers. Meanwhile, Brooklyn Bridge Park has taken over management of Squibb Park from the NYC Parks Department, bringing new garbage cans and promising better upkeep for the space.
BQE underpass in Brooklyn Heights transformed with mural and new lighting
Another busy entrance to Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Atlantic Avenue underpass beneath the BQE has been transformed with two new murals created in collaboration with Thrive Collective. Painted by seven artists, the colorful works celebrate Brooklyn’s history, culture, and community. The public art has brightened the space significantly, and new lighting upgrades have improved nighttime visibility and made the corridor safer for pedestrians.
Upgrades to Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights
This summer, Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights is getting a series of upgrades to make the street safer, add public seating for outdoor dining, and expand pedestrian space. Improvements include new curb extensions at Hicks, Henry, and Clinton Streets to slow traffic and shorten pedestrian crossings, plus mid-block curb extensions between Hicks and Clinton to improve safety. Parking and loading regulations will be updated to support commercial deliveries and reduce double parking. The street will also get new public seating, on-street bike corrals, planters, and granite blocks to protect pedestrian areas. Work is scheduled for July and August. See the full plan here.
Proposed Changes to NYC Ferry Route
For the first time in its 8-year history, NYC Ferry is proposing major system-wide changes to speed up service and expand access to more destinations, with new routes potentially launching as early as this winter. Highlights include creating two separate East River routes, adding a new Bay Ridge–Staten Island connection, extending the South Brooklyn route all the way to East 34th St. in Manhattan, and combining Soundview and Rockaway routes for expanded service between Queens and the Bronx. New Yorkers are encouraged to share feedback via a public survey open through September 1 (Labor Day), helping shape the final plan to be released this fall. A webinar will be held Monday, July 21, from 6:30-8:00pm to learn more. Find out more here!
Columbia Street Waterfront concrete plant to be shut down, and more Brooklyn Marine Terminal updates
Following sustained protests from residents and local officials, the NYC DOT concrete recycling plant on the Columbia Street Waterfront near Kane Street will shut down this August. The facility, which grinds used concrete into material for sidewalks, bus boarding islands, and ADA-accessible walkways citywide, has drawn complaints about dust, noise, and heavy truck traffic since its temporary relocation from Sunset Park to the Brooklyn Marine Terminal in 2024. Though many feel the closure is long overdue, locals and elected officials celebrated the news.
Meanwhile, a long-awaited vote on the Brooklyn Marine Terminal vision plan is scheduled for July 24, following four postponements. The EDC’s plan has faced strong neighborhood opposition and continued concerns from some task force members. The current proposal for a modernized port and mixed-use development includes 6,000 housing units—40% of which (2,400 apartments) would be affordable housing—alongside 28 acres of parks and public space, 225,000 square feet of industrial space, improved ferry and bus connections, and storm resiliency measures. See the full vision plan here.
New elevators at Bay Ridge–95th Street subway station
Bay Ridge’s 95th Street Station is now fully ADA accessible for the first time, with two new elevators that opened on July 8. One elevator connects the street level to the mezzanine, another links the mezzanine to the platform. In addition to the elevators, the station also received upgraded staircases, new ADA boarding areas on the platform, and new communications and electrical systems. The station is a stop on the R train, and serves 3,000 riders every day.
Greenpoint updates: safer McCarren Park entrance & G train shutdowns
In Greenpoint, the NYC DOT has installed a new midblock crosswalk on Bedford Avenue between North 12th Street and Lorimer Street. This improvement slows traffic and creates a safer entrance to McCarren Park between Automotive High School and the park’s tennis courts.
Meanwhile, signal upgrades on the G train are underway between Court Square and Bedford-Nostrand Avenue. Weeknight work runs from 9:45pm to 5am, and weekend shutdowns take place from 9:45pm Fridays through 5am Mondays, through August 18.
Floating pool destined for the East River finally taking shape in Red Hook
After nearly 15 years in development, NYC’s +POOL project—a floating, self-filtering swimming pool in the East River—is finally entering its construction and testing phase. A rectangular pilot version, roughly a quarter of the final plus-shaped design, has arrived at a shipyard in Red Hook, where it will undergo testing to prove that its chemical-free filtration system can safely clean river water for swimming. Once approved by city and state agencies, the pool will be installed near Pier 35, with a projected opening in May 2026. Designed to feature dedicated zones for lap swimming, kids, lounging, and sports, +POOL is expected to filter more than 1 million gallons of river water daily and help expand public access to NYC’s waterways.
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Updated: July 18, 2025.
