by Brooklyn Bridge Park on Jun 1, 2018
In coordination with NYC Parks, Brooklyn Bridge Park announces plans to build a permanent pool at Squibb Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy announces plans to launch a capital campaign
Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) today announced plans to build a permanent pool at Squibb Park, which sits just above Pier 1 in Brooklyn Bridge Park and is connected to the Park through Squibb Park Bridge. Subject to necessary approvals, NYC Parks intends to enter into an agreement with BBP for the development, operation, and maintenance of a pool and optional related amenities at Squibb Park.
BBP President Eric Landau was joined by Deputy Mayor and BBP Board Chair Alicia Glen, NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, State Senator Brian Kavanagh, Council Member Stephen Levin, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy Executive Director Nancy Webster, and Love Our Pool.
The construction of a pool at Squibb Park is estimated to cost between $10-$15 million. One-third of the capital funding for the project will be funded by BBP; and the remainder will be raised publicly and privately in partnership with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. Midtown Equities and Alloy Development with Monadnock Construction, and DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners are also supporting the effort and have already dedicated funds towards the pool. A capital fundraising campaign is now underway to ensure the needed funds will be raised.
Brooklyn Bridge Park will host community planning sessions this summer and fall as the fundraising campaign continues, in advance of issuing a Request for Design Proposals. As the Park moves forward in the design, planning process, and fundraising campaign, the specific project timeline will be announced.
“An all-new permanent pool at Squibb Park will mean more fun in the sun in Brooklyn, and it demonstrates Brooklyn Bridge Park’s commitment to provide more access to world-class amenities for all New Yorkers.” Mayor Bill de Blasio.
“As a world-class park, we are always striving to provide the best amenities and activities for park visitors. The temporary pop-up pool has been a much-loved summer attraction and now we are thrilled to announce plans to bring a permanent pool to Brooklyn Bridge Park,” said Eric Landau, Brooklyn Bridge Park President. “We want to thank Mayor de Blasio, Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, Commissioner Silver and the Parks Department, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, our local elected officials and community leaders for their ongoing support.”
“Brooklyn Bridge Park has been one of the great New York success stories – and the forthcoming addition of a permanent swimming pool means it’s only getting better,” said Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen.
“New York City’s 53 outdoor public pools are some of our greatest assets, and we love the idea of adding a new one in the Brooklyn Heights community,” said Commissioner Silver. “Since its opening in 2012, the Brooklyn Bridge Pop Up Pool has been one of the most popular summertime attractions in Brooklyn Heights. While Squibb Park is an underused facility, it serves as a crucial access point to beautiful Brooklyn Bridge Park, making it an ideal location for a permanent outdoor public pool. We are grateful for our partnership with Brooklyn Bridge Park and we look forward to working with them to make this vision a reality.”
“Our community spoke loud and clear on their passion for preserving a permanent pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Plans to construct that pool at Squibb Park represent a clear victory for children and families across our borough,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “I look forward to working with Brooklyn Bridge Park and our local elected officials in ensuring that the planning of this new pool proceeds ‘swimmingly.’”
“Since the summer of 2012, the pop-up pool has been a treasure of Brooklyn Bridge Park in the summertime, yet, it was always temporary,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez. “Our families deserve the assurance that summers will bring a place to swim and play, and that is why the construction of a permanent pool is so exciting. I would like to thank Brooklyn Bridge Park President Eric Landau, the dedicated staff at the Parks Department and my fellow elected officials for moving this project forward. Thanks to these efforts, the pool at Squibb Park will be a place to relax and enjoy our gorgeous park for many generations to come.”
“I am thrilled that the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation is making the beloved pop-up pool a permanent feature in the park. Everyone loves the pop-up pool we have now. With few local swimming options, having a permanent pool in Squibb Park will make parents, children, and other visitors very happy! I am also very pleased that there will be a robust community engagement process, so our new, permanent pool will best serve communities’ needs. Thank you to the Mayor’s office, Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, Love Our Pool, my fellow legislators, and everyone who worked tirelessly to make this happen. I can’t wait to get started,” said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon.
“It’s no secret why millions of New Yorkers and tourists visit Brooklyn Bridge Park every summer, and all year round,” State Senator Brian Kavanagh said. “This park is more than just a green space — it opens up the East River to Brooklynites, it offers world-class amenities to New Yorkers and visitors alike, and, since 2012, it has provided a pool in a community that otherwise would have no place to swim. Earlier this year my elected colleagues and I urged Brooklyn Bridge Park to begin planning for a permanent pool. Today’s announcement is a big step forward. I will work with Brooklyn Bridge Park, the City Parks Department, all my colleagues in government, and members of this community to try to ensure that the planning and funding process get underway immediately so our new pool is available as soon as possible and no later than the summer of 2020.”
“Summer just isn’t summer without the sounds of laughter and splashing,” said Council Member Stephen Levin. “With this move, Brooklyn Bridge Park is making sure children and families around the borough and beyond can continue enjoying a pool for decades to come. The community made their voices heard when they showed how much a pool means to them. Let’s take that momentum and forge ahead.”
“This is a great day for Brooklyn Bridge Park,” said Nancy Webster, Executive Director of Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. “From our work bringing the Floating Pool to Pier 5 in 2007 to managing the Pop-Up Pool during its first five years of operation, the Conservancy has long advanced swimming in Brooklyn Bridge Park. We are tremendously excited to continue that work and partner with our colleagues at Brooklyn Bridge Park, the City, our local elected officials, and the community to bring a marvelous new pool that will be enjoyed by thousands of park visitors for summers to come.”
“On behalf of our 1500+ community members from across Brooklyn, we are celebrating the news of a permanent pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park,” said Lee Levine, of Love Our Pool, a community group united around keeping a pool in Brooklyn Bridge Park. “Kudos and thank you to the Mayor’s office, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation and our elected officials for taking great strides to fulfill this commitment to the community. We look forward to continuing our work alongside the Park as we further the focus on the community’s needs over the course of this summer’s planning sessions.”
“Empire Stores is thrilled to be supporting Brooklyn Bridge Park’s exciting improvement project. Having a permanent pool in Squibb Park will bring an amazing public amenity to the community, which we’re honored to support,” said Jack Cayre, principal at Midtown Equities.
“We’re thrilled to support what will be a fantastic public amenity not just for the neighborhood, but the entire borough and beyond,” said Jared Della Valle, CEO & Founder of Alloy Development. “Our contribution toward this new public pool continues our commitment to thoughtful public-private partnerships like Brooklyn Bridge Park, and is a good example of how we love to invest in neighborhoods before, during and after our projects to ensure the longterm success of the communities that we work in.”
The pool at Squibb Park will provide a permanent area dedicated to swimming for the surrounding communities and beyond. Since 2012, Brooklyn Bridge Park has operated a temporary pop-up pool at the site of the future Pier 2 uplands. Construction of the Pier 2 uplands is expected to begin in the fall of 2018, making the summer of 2018 the final season of the pop-up pool.
About Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation, known as Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP), is the not-for-profit entity responsible for the planning, construction, maintenance and operation of Brooklyn Bridge Park, an 85-acre sustainable waterfront park spanning 1.3 miles along Brooklyn’s East River shoreline. As steward of the park, BBP has transformed this previously deteriorated stretch of waterfront into a world-class park where the public can gather, play, relax and enjoy sweeping views of New York Harbor. The self-sustaining park was designed by the award-winning firm of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc. and features expansive lawns, rolling hills, waterfront promenades, innovative playgrounds, a greenway, sports facilities and the popular Jane’s Carousel. BBP serves thousands of people on any given seasonal day, who come to picnic, walk their dog, play soccer, jog, bike or roller skate. Brooklyn Bridge Park is a signature public investment for the 21st Century and will be an enduring legacy for the communities, elected officials and public servants who made it happen.