NYC Gazette

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, along with other elected officials and community groups, have called on New York State to renew the BQGreen plan. This initiative aims to transform a section of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) in Williamsburg into a 3.5-acre park. The proposed park would feature various amenities, including a flower garden, playground, baseball diamond, barbecues, grassy areas, an indoor pool, and a water play zone.

The BQGreen project has been in development for over a decade. It was initially proposed by then-City Council Member Diana Reyna in 2010 and has since received strong community support. However, it has not yet gained the necessary backing from the state government.

"For over a decade, our Southside community has rallied around the BQGreen as a chance to bring beautiful parkland to Williamsburg," said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. He emphasized that "the funding is there" and urged the state to co-apply for federal funds to support this project.

Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez highlighted the negative impact of the BQE on local communities due to high asthma rates and pollution. She stated that "with BQGreen, we can begin to repair this legacy by reconnecting communities."

The need for more green space in Brooklyn Community District 1 is pressing, as it ranks low among city districts regarding park space relative to total land area. The district's community board identified increasing parkland as one of its top priorities.

Council Member Jennifer Gutierrez remarked on recent climate events affecting air quality and noted that "the need to advance the BQGreen Plan has never been more profound." Council Member Lincoln Restler also supported the initiative, citing its potential benefits for reducing emissions and providing recreational space.

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez pointed out that "BQGreen presents us with an opportunity" to address environmental justice issues caused by the BQE while providing much-needed green space.

Michael Rochford of St Nick’s Alliance praised BQGreen as an innovative solution offering new greenspaces and ball fields beneficial for children and residents alike.

Despite these calls for action, New York State Department of Transportation has indicated no plans to redesign its portion of the BQE. Local leaders continue urging state cooperation with NYC DOT efforts to reimagine this infrastructure using available federal funds.