Parking is part of plan for BAM cultural district. The New York City Economic Development Corporation issued a request for proposals seeking developers to construct and operate an underground garage to be located beneath a newly constructed street-level public plaza on the 32,000-square-foot site located across Ashland Place from the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The triangular-shaped downtown Brooklyn lot, bound by Lafayette Avenue, Flatbush Avenue and Ashland Place, is currently used for street-level parking.

As part of the Bloomberg Administration’s efforts to revitalize downtown Brooklyn, the City identified the area around BAM as the BAM Cultural District, to be a vibrant, mixed-use multicultural arts district, which is already home to over 30 cultural organizations. The Brooklyn Public Library is also considering constructing a 100,000- square-foot visual and performing arts library, to be designed by Enrique Norten, which would be located just south of the public plaza and parking site.

The RFP requests proposals for a multi-level underground facility with room for 200-250 vehicles. The selected developer will enter into a long-term lease with EDC, and construct and operate the garage. EDC asked that the proposed parking fee schedule be included in the proposal. The public plaza will be designed by landscape architect Ken Smith with the City providing the necessary capital for its construction.

EDC set a May 10, 2007 deadline for responses.

New York City Economic Development Corporation Request for Proposals, BAM Cultural District Plaza and Underground Garage, Downtown, Brooklyn (March 8, 2007).