Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Brooklyn

A Brooklyn Parking Lot Becomes a Neighborhood “Living Room”

Paint a Parking Lot, Put Up a Paradise

A StreetFilm by Nick Whitaker

Running time: 2:45

StreetFilms has some excellent video coverage of the Dept. of Transportation's launch of its Public Plaza Initiative in Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood last week. The before-and-after images are particularly compelling.

What once nothing more than a parking lot and illegal dump has become a green oasis complete with chairs, tables, umbrellas and sculptures by local artists. DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan calls the space, "a new living room for the neighborhood."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New MTA Accessibility Advisory Panel Guidelines Bar Members from ADA Lawsuits

Disability justice advocates the Advisory Committee for Transit Accessibility accused the MTA of marginalizing the panel, which ex-transit boss Andy Byford created in 2019.

March 11, 2026

UPDATE: State Lawmakers Cut Hochul’s Car Insurance Scheme From Their Budget

The Uber-backed plan to lower car insurance rates has drawn criticism from legal professionals, crash victim advocates and state pols who say the legislative changes would strip crash victims of rights.

March 10, 2026

Mamdani’s 14th Street Redesign: The Perfect Opportunity For BRT-Style Bus Stations

A "once-in-a-generation upgrade" to 14th Street offers Mayor Mamdani a chance to make New York City's streets "the envy of the world."

March 10, 2026

The Speeding Situation in New York City Is Even Worse Than It Seems

Speed cameras can’t ticket vehicles with ghost plates — which means we don't know how often their drivers break the law.

March 10, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: Harsh Winter Edition

Sure, it was a gorgeous day yesterday — but that's only because you're not a mauled street safety device. Plus other news.

March 10, 2026
See all posts