City Proposes Rule To Banish Vendors From Brooklyn Bridge

By on July 26, 2023 10:43 pm in 11201, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, News

Mary Frost reports in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle that New York City plans to ban vendors from all pedestrian bridges, including Brooklyn Bridge. Current rules imply that vending on elevated pedestrian walkways and approaches to bridges is prohibited, but the City says an explicit rule is needed to aid in enforcement. The purpose of the new rule would be to enhance pedestrian safety and ease overcrowding. Read Mary’s article for statements from City Councilmember Lincoln Restler and Doreen Gallo, President of the Cadman Park Conservancy, on why they support the rule, as well as opposing views from vendor advocates.

What’s your take on the issue? Comment away!

Photo by Mary Frost for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle (with permission).

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  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7nPOzGeyaw Arch Stanton

    Great Idea, long overdue.

  • Jorale-man

    That makes sense. It also bothers me to see the bridge entrance in Dumbo, with the vendor blasting pop music and selling greasy food right at the bottom of the steps (along with the copious bird poop and graffiti).

    That is a good place to pick up a bottled water before/after crossing, and I’m sympathetic to the fact that the vendor is making a living. But as the first thing you see in Brooklyn? Something classier could be done there.

  • MaggieO

    The vendors just move off the bridge to the neighborhood (see the block of Washington Street between Prospect and York)

  • Susan O’Doherty

    These are tough times and the vendors need to make a living. There should be a way to limit the amount of space they take up without banishing them entirely—they wouldn’t be there if people weren’t buying their wares.

  • Jorale-man

    Just noticing the historical plaque on the bridge column in the top photo. Don’t plan to read it if you’re visitor, I guess.

  • clarknt67

    Good riddance. There is no value add to another table of $5 statute of liberty key fobs.

  • Karl Junkersfeld
  • Teresa

    I’m generally pro-vendor, but the situation on the Bridge is out of control. Would not be sad to see them moved off the bridge to other areas.