Burying Parking Lot Paves Way for Planting Paradise

According to Julie Satow, the planned Willoughby Square, "the long-awaited public space that New York City officials consider Brooklyn’s answer to Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan...will span more than an acre on Willoughby Street, a half-block from the Fulton Street mall, with manicured lawns, walkways and gardens, as well as a site to commemorate the abolitionist movement."

Below the square, the Willoughby Operating Company will construct the largest automated parking facility in North America, thanks to a deal negotiated by the city. "The Willoughby Operating Company, an affiliate of the American Development Group, will lease the city-owned land," explains Satow. "It will use $6 million from city capital, the city’s Economic Development Corporation and private contributions from surrounding developers to construct the park."

"The city hopes to open the park in 2016."