Under the Brooklyn Bridge

October 12, 2016 Photo Essay

under-the-brooklyn-bridge1While wandering around the other day, I ended up under the Brooklyn Bridge and I fell in love—with the old infrastructure that reminds me of the way Tribeca used to be, with the tangle of ramps, with the general derelictness. I’m not sure there are many other parts of Manhattan that feel so tantalizingly neglected. On one hand, I’d love to come up with a way to converting it from one big construction site/parking lot to an area that people could enjoy, à la the High Line; before the never-ending reconstruction project started, the Brooklyn Banks skatepark was there, which is not exactly what I had in mind, but it’s better than nothing. On the other hand, I hope it never changes.

I started out walking east on Frankfort/Dover, along the south side of the bridge, and then I walked back along the north side, which is less rewarding. If you follow in my footsteps, don’t miss the tunnels under the bridge at Pearl and Gold.

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6 Comments

  1. Luis Vazquez (FiDi Fan Page)
    October 12, 2016 • 1:25 pm

    It will all change once the construction is completed. The Brooklyn Bridge skate park is expected to return but many more changes will be in the offing.

    Reply
  2. mruptight
    October 12, 2016 • 2:03 pm

    I’m glad that there is a goal of reconstruction, although I’ve seen nothing of it. I thought it had been closed due to it’s location post 9/11. Love this area, and great for photos.

    Reply
  3. Makes you go "hmmm..."
    October 12, 2016 • 5:12 pm

    I seem to recall that at one point there was talk of turning the “arches” under the anchorage into shops.

    Reply
  4. KV
    October 12, 2016 • 7:32 pm

    There used to be Art shows in the space under the Bridge on the Brooklyn side in the early 2000s. Amazing space with high ceilings….. I’m sure they could do something similar on the NY side.

    Reply
  5. Bob Dole
    October 13, 2016 • 1:53 am

    You can get a great photo from the Ari Harlberstam (so) Memorial Entrance Ramp.

    Reply
  6. safe as milk
    October 14, 2016 • 7:48 am

    thanks, erik, for capturing this before it slips away…

    Reply

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