New year, same us — and by “us,” we mean fantastic local coverage you can’t find anywhere else. On the heels of a year full of pizza, portraits, parades, and protests, we’ve compiled a list of 10 big stories you can look for in the pages of our papers in 2025.
1. Fires and evidence storage at the Erie Basin NYPD facility: In 2022, a three-alarm fire destroyed an NYPD evidence warehouse in Red Hook — and almost everything in it. Cops initially said they would compile and release a list of everything that was destroyed, but, despite repeated calls from lawyers and legal aid organizations, never did. In November 2024, another fire broke out at the facility’s impound lot and destroyed several cars — drawing new concerns about the facility and the NYPD’s ability to safely preserve evidence. In 2025, we’ll revisit both fires, examine the safety of the facility, and see what, if anything, has changed about how criminal evidence is stored in Brooklyn.
2. Brooklyn Bridge vendors: In January, the city’s ban on vendors along the Brooklyn Bridge walkway took effect in a bid to tackle the influx of sellers that City Hall called a public safety issue due to the sprawling stalls taking up sidewalk space and causing congestion for pedestrians. Many veteran vendors moved to Dumbo to sell their wares but found it difficult last year to turn a profit due to the downturn in foot traffic. The group who spoke with Brooklyn Paper this year is working on a proposal that they hope will convince city officials that a few licencsed vendors could safely work at either end of the bridge.
3. The fights for and against a Gravesend homeless shelter: In November 2023, the city announced its plan to open a homeless shelter in Gravesend, the first such facility in the neighborhood. The proposed site at 86th St. and 25th Ave. became a major political flashpoint for the locals throughout 2024, resulting in Sen. Iwen Chu losing her seat in Senate District 17 for what locals say was her lack of support for their opposition. Since July, locals have been manning the site day and night to prevent construction from continuing. By the end of 2024, they will have spent 168 consecutive days protesting. The spark for the sit-in protest was on July 17, when Council Member Susan Zhuang was arrested and charged with assault for allegedly biting a police officer during a protest. Despite the continued demonstrations, the city has yet to pull the plug on the proposed shelter that was due to open in the last quarter of 2024. Protestors told this paper they are prepared to stay at the site for as long as necessary.
4. ‘The Skatepark Project’: Residents near Mount Prospect Park have also spent the year opposing city plans for a Skate Garden next to the Brooklyn Museum. The city teamed up with Tony Hawk’s ‘The Skatepark Project’ in Jan. to announce plans to bring two new skate parks to Brooklyn in the next three years — the second of which is earmarked for Brower Park in Crown Heights. Locals near Mount Prospect Park organized around their joint concern that the skate park will eliminate a tremendous amount of green space and instead ask that construction occur on nearby already-paved space. Friends of Mount Prospect Park plan to continue their fight into 2025, writing an open letter in December to mayoral challenger Brad Lander to back their cause in what will likely be a hot-button election issue in the area come election time. The updated plans for the skate park are expected to be released sometime in April.
5. Prospect Park’s recovery and climate change: In November, a record-breaking drought in New York City fueled brush fires across the five boroughs, including a significant blaze in Prospect Park’s Ravine. The fire, sparked by unusually dry conditions, underscored the growing threat of climate change to urban green spaces. The Prospect Park Alliance quickly began recovery efforts, clearing debris and replanting vegetation, though the fire destroyed crucial layers of plant life that support the park’s ecosystem. As droughts become more frequent, the Alliance is adjusting its planting strategies to better prepare the park for future fires and other climate-related challenges. In the new year, we’ll continue to cover the ongoing recovery efforts in Brooklyn’s Backyard, while taking a broader look at how climate change impacts green spaces throughout Kings County.
6. Good news for the G train?: This year, significant work was completed on the G train as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority upgraded the Crosstown Line’s outdated signal system. During a weekslong summer shutdown, the MTA replaced the old technology with a modern Communications-Based Train Control system. This crucial upgrade, while disruptive during the multi-phase shutdown that began in late June, is expected to improve the line’s capacity and reliability. The upgrades will eventually allow for longer trains, addressing ongoing issues of overcrowding and delays for G train commuters. Brooklyn Paper will continue to track how these upgrades will impact the line moving forward into the new year.
7. Flatbush Avenue bus lane: In June, the city took a significant step toward improving commutes along Flatbush Avenue by presenting a proposal to Brooklyn’s Community Boards 2 and 8. The plan aims to transform one of the borough’s longest and most congested thoroughfares, with a focus on speeding up some of the city’s slowest buses. The proposal, which has been in the works since the Adams administration first introduced the concept in 2022, is a response to longstanding concerns about traffic congestion and delays that have plagued the area for years. While the plan has garnered support from local elected officials, its future remains uncertain as the city navigates the next steps toward implementation. Brooklyn Paper will continue to track the developments and bring you updates on how this project progresses into the new year.
8. Pet sale ban and Brooklyn’s furry friends: In December, New York State’s ban on the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in retail pet stores took effect, impacting over 160 businesses, including five in Brooklyn. The law, designed to stop the “puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline,” has local pet store owners concerned about its financial impact. Many are exploring new business models, such as partnering with rescue groups, while others face the possibility of closure. The ban is expected to drive more adoptions from local shelters, but concerns remain about the potential rise of black-market pet sales. In the new year, Brooklyn Paper will stay on top of how local businesses and shelters adapt — and try to track where animals are headed, shifting from shop windows to new homes.
9. Legal weed in Brooklyn: Brooklyn Paper is gearing up to cover the evolving cannabis landscape in 2025, building on the borough’s dynamic year in legal weed. November saw the opening of Happy Munkey at Fulton Mall, Brooklyn’s newest legal cannabis dispensary, adding to the borough’s growing roster of state-licensed shops since the first opened in December 2023. As Brooklyn enters the new year, the legal cannabis industry is poised for further expansion. Brooklyn Paper will follow the roll-out of new dispensaries, keeping readers informed on both the celebrations and the controversies. While some locations receive warm welcomes, others face opposition from community boards concerned about their impact.
10. Coney Island casino proposal: Bidders looking to bring a casino to Coney Island released their vision for the gambling hub in early 2023, featuring a towering glass building overlooking the amusement park in the heart of the waterfront community. Dubbed “The Coney,” the structure would feature the first legal gambling facility in the Five Boroughs, along with a new hotel just steps from the iconic Coney Island Boardwalk. A short walk from the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel, the building would immediately transform the Coney Island skyline with its imposing structure, multi-colored rooftop, and heavily-illuminated surroundings on the ground. The bidders for various Downstate casino locations are still seeking approval from the Community Advisory Committee, which is evaluating the proposals. We’ll be keeping tabs on community reaction (the good, bad and ugly) as the bidding process continues to unfold.
Honorable mentions:
- Updates for the BQE: The much-needed renovation of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway has been in the works for years. At the start of 2024, the federal government rejected the city’s application for federal funds for its BQE project, and the Department of Transportation later announced that major construction probably won’t start until 2029. We’ll look at any designs and proposals announced next year, and track short-term projects needed to keep the highway safe until it can be totally refurbished.
- The future of Catholic schools: In 2024, the Brooklyn Diocese closed three schools — including the famous Visitation Academy – due to falling enrollment and financial issues. What will 2025 bring for the rest of the borough’s Catholic schools? How will the closures affect students and parents going forward?
- What’s next for Century21?: The old Century21 site in Bay Ridge was previously set to become an all-new “urban retail landscape.” But, in September, the owners and scrapped that plan, and are looking for a buyer who would instead build a mixed-use development with housing and stores. Reactions were mixed, and we’ll report on any movement on 86th Street.
- The implementation of the FARE Act: Back in November, the City Council voted to approve Brooklyn Council Member Chi Ossé’s FARE Act, which aims to free tenants from costly broker fees when they rent a new apartment. The bill became law in December, and is expected to take affect in the spring. Brooklyn Paper will keep track of any efforts to derail the bill, and chat with tenants, brokers, and landlords about how it impacts their lives.
- “Yes” to City of Yes: Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” proposal passed this year, and the mayor — and many local politicians — hope it will make it easier for developers to build housing and ease the rent crisis in New York City. Brooklynites’ reactions were mixed. Some feel it will be a great service, others think it threatens the livelihoods and homes of longtime residents. Check back to see how “City of Yes” looks in practice, and how it impacts housing in the borough.
Compiled by Kirstyn Brendlen, Adam Daly & Meaghan McGoldrick O’Neil
