Brooklyn’s biggest stories of the week: G train shutdowns set to hit 40% of 2026 weekends; weekend events from Long Play, Greek Festival, Riverkeeper Sweep, and the 5 Boro Bike Tour; closings at Caputo’s, Julien Boulangerie, and Mayfield; $540M in new apartment financings; free FIFA World Cup fan events for all five boroughs; a $95M Homecrest flood project; and the latest from the Nets, Cyclones, and Brooklyn FC. Read on for the latest!
Police Blotter
9-Year-Old Boy Killed by School Bus in Williamsburg
A 9-year-old boy, later identified as Yoel Jacobowitz, was struck and killed by a school bus on Friday morning at Lee Avenue and Lorimer Street. The driver initially left the scene before returning; investigators are still determining whether they were aware of the impact. Mayor Mamdani addressed the tragedy publicly.
From our council member Lincoln Restler: “This is one of the busiest intersections in Williamsburg and I pushed City agencies to immediately make safety improvements. At my request, the Department of Transportation expedited painting a crosswalk and new markings at the intersection and the NYPD has deployed 1-2 Traffic Enforcement Agents to direct traffic from 8AM-6PM daily. I have also asked DOT to analyze signal timing, particularly a Barnes Dance design that would give more time for pedestrians to cross multiple blocks at this five point intersection, and daylighting at the corners to improve sight lines for pedestrians and drivers. We are also exploring more training and technology advancements to improve school bus safety.”
16-Year-Old Fatally Shot in East New York
A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot in East New York on Monday, April 27. Police are continuing to investigate; no arrests have been announced as of Wednesday evening.
Transit
G Train Shutdowns Set to Hit 40% of 2026 Weekends
The G line faces another stretch of weekend and overnight shutdowns through summer and fall 2026 as the MTA continues signal and tunnel work under Newtown Creek. Brooklyn officials are pushing back. Overnight disruptions run through May 8 between Hoyt-Schermerhorn and Church Avenue; weekend closures are projected to cover nearly 40% of 2026 weekends.
Events
5 Boro Bike Tour Returned Sunday
32,000 cyclists roll through all five boroughs on Sunday, May 3 (7:30am–6pm) for the world’s largest charitable biking event. Major Brooklyn closures include the BQE/Gowanus and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, plus extensive street closures along the waterfront. Full route and closure details here.
Closings
Caputo’s Bake Shop Closes After 124 Years on Court Street
After 124 years and five generations, Caputo’s Bake Shop on Court Street has closed. Owner James Caputo posted the announcement in the storefront window: “It is with immense sadness that I am writing to tell you that the flame in our oven has been lit for the last time, and Caputo Bakery has come to the end of its 124-year life.” Caputo cited changes on Court Street — including the recent protected bike lane redesign — as a factor. The shop’s lard bread, semolina loaves, and sfogliatelle had drawn morning lines for decades. See our full April roundup of restaurants, bakeries, and cafes opening and closing. (Note: Caputo’s Bake Shop is unrelated to Caputo’s Fine Foods on Court, which remains open.)
Julien Boulangerie Folds Across NYC
Julien Boulangerie, the Parisian-style counter celebrated for its viennoiserie and award-winning pastries, has closed all of its New York City locations — including its longtime Park Slope shop.
Mayfield to Close at Month’s End
Mayfield, the long-running Crown Heights neighborhood spot known for its American small plates and oyster happy hour, will close at the end of the month after years on Franklin Avenue.
Real Estate & Development
$540M of New Brooklyn Apartments Hit the Pipeline
Three separate financings totaling more than $540 million were announced this week. Maxim Capital provided $53.2 million for a 131-unit project at 57 Caton Place in Windsor Terrace. BridgeCity Capital provided $474 million for a 170-unit development at 1104 Pacific Street in Prospect Heights. And Marcus & Millichap closed a $16 million sale of the development site at 863 Dean Street, also in Prospect Heights. Brooklyn’s median price per square foot hit $1,074 in March — up 13.4% year over year.
City Hall
Free FIFA Fan Events Coming to All Five Boroughs
The World Cup is coming to all five boroughs — sort of. Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul, and the FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee announced this week that free public fan events will land citywide to coincide with the tournament. Brooklyn’s specific venues will be released in coming weeks. The 2026 World Cup runs June 11 through July 19, with the NYC/NJ region hosting eight matches at MetLife Stadium — including the final.
$95M Cloudburst Project Targets Homecrest Flooding
Homecrest’s flooded basements are getting a $95 million answer. Mayor Mamdani announced a Cloudburst Project this week aimed at managing flooding in the southern Brooklyn neighborhood, which has gone underwater repeatedly in recent storms. The investment is part of the city’s broader push to prepare aging stormwater systems for more intense rainfall.
Sports
On the Court
The Nets head into the offseason with the league’s best 14% odds at the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday, May 10, tied with the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards. The 2026 class is headlined by AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer; Brooklyn has a 52.1% chance to land in the top four — a strong shot at adding a generational prospect to the rebuild.
On the Diamond
The Brooklyn Cyclones welcomed the Frederick Keys for a six-game homestand starting Tuesday, April 28 — the first-ever visit to Maimonides Park by the South Atlantic League’s newest team. The week’s highlight: a 2-1 win Thursday powered by five shutout innings from RHP Irving Cota. Brooklyn’s young roster continues to find its rhythm. Tickets and full schedule at milb.com/brooklyn.
On the Pitch
Brooklyn FC’s women travel to Florida this Sunday, May 3, to face Sporting JAX at Hodges Stadium, with kickoff at 5pm ET. Tickets and the men’s schedule at brooklynfootballclub.com.
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