Mayor Eric Adams has cut the ribbon on the newly revitalized portion of “The Arches,” a public space located beneath the Brooklyn Bridge adjacent to City Hall.

Alongside the ceremony, the mayor announced an additional $50 million investment to further improve the space as part of his Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget, frequently referred to as the city’s “Best Budget Ever.”

The Arches, named for the 53 sweeping stone archways under the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, has remained partially inaccessible for over 15 years due to restoration and construction staging.

The newly unveiled section — more than two acres of public plaza — adds to over one acre previously opened, now forming one of the most significant public realm transformations in the area in decades.

“Public space in this city is precious — it’s where our families create memories, it’s where our children play, and it’s where communities come to relax,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, we return two more acres of public space back to the local Chinatown community at ‘The Arches,’ giving New Yorkers more outdoor space to exercise, engage with others, and enjoy.

We are also investing $50 million in funding to bring this space back to life, and transform it into a lively, inclusive space for friends and neighbors to come together — welcoming New Yorkers from all walks of life. Right in time for our ‘We Outside Summer,’ The Arches brings us closer to creating a more equitable, livable, and prosperous New York.”

This transformation also plays a key role in the administration’s “We Outside Summer” initiative, which brings programming, investment, and community activities to public spaces across all five boroughs.

Nestled in the shadows of the Brooklyn Bridge’s historic vaults — designated as a National Historic Landmark — the reimagined Arches now feature skating areas, recreational courts for pickleball and basketball, quiet bench spaces, lighting, landscaping, and more.

“In the shade of the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, this project delivers many things — an architectural marvel, a proper home for skating in one of the sport’s global hubs, and a place to relax in a neighborhood with too few,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeff Roth, acknowledging the work of community leader Rosa Chang, The Skatepark Project, and other local stakeholders.

In a nod to the cultural and recreational significance of the space, the redesigned plaza revives the historic “Brooklyn Banks,” once hailed as a mecca of New York skateboarding. Its revival, made possible through a partnership with Gotham Park and Tony Hawk’s nonprofit, The Skatepark Project, ensures safety, functionality, and lasting engagement for the action sports community.

“The revitalization and re-opening of the Brooklyn Banks is a monumental moment for skateboarding,” said Benjamin Anderson Bashein, CEO of The Skatepark Project. “This historic skate spot is a special place where people from across the world have come to skate and to find community, and we’re thrilled to see it open to the public once again.”

City officials emphasized the importance of equitable access to quality public spaces in dense neighborhoods. “In a city where public space is at a premium — especially in neighborhoods like Chinatown and Lower Manhattan — bringing this iconic stretch under the Brooklyn Bridge back to life is a big win for New Yorkers,” said Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. “We’re turning concrete into community — a place that will be a respite and gathering place for residents, workers, and visitors alike.”

“This vital investment, combined with the federal funding that Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and I helped secure, will play a major role in reconnecting and revitalizing the long-separated communities of Chinatown, Two Bridges, and Lower Manhattan,” added U.S. Representative Dan Goldman.

New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez praised the project, noting its importance for residents and tourists alike: “As the weather warms, we invite the community and tourists who are visiting the bridge and Chinatown to come enjoy this beautiful new public space.”

Rosa Chang, co-founder and president of Gotham Park, reflected on the significance of the moment: “The Brooklyn Bridge is one of its most powerful symbols — a love letter to New Yorkers, written in stone 142 years ago… The space itself is a majestic canvas — but we, the people who bring it to life, are the ever-changing art.”

With a total of more than $1 billion in infrastructure restoration completed over the last decade and today’s reopening marking the largest return of space yet, the revitalization of “The Arches” stands as a major milestone in the city’s long-term vision for vibrant, inclusive public spaces.