Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Monday that he is moving forward with a plan to ban cars from the southern edge of Grand Army Plaza, creating a direct pedestrian and cyclist connection between the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch and Prospect Park.

Mamdani is advancing the more ambitious of the two proposals that had been under consideration since the Adams administration.

The redesign would reduce pedestrian-vehicle conflict points at the plaza from 31 to 20, convert the roadways looping around the arch from one-way to two-way streets, and reroute cars traveling between Union Street and Eastern Parkway around the northern side of the circle.

“Anyone who’s tried to cross here knows how dangerous and chaotic the streets can be,” Mamdani said, “and this redesign is long overdue and will provide a sense of ease and enjoyment to one of Brooklyn’s most important public spaces.”

“Every time NYC DOT has provided more space to pedestrians at the park, it’s been an instant success”, added NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “It becomes impossible to think of how the space could have functioned before. The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch is an iconic symbol of Brooklyn, and we’re ready to take the next big step to create a public space all of Brooklyn will be proud of and enjoy.”

Mamdani’s plan also connects to separate work already underway. The city plans to redesign Flatbush Avenue just north of the plaza this year, adding bus lanes and concrete islands in a monthslong project expected to bring significant traffic disruptions.

The move is seen as a return to the plaza’s original vision, which always envisioned the arch as a grand entrance to Prospect Park. The city formally banned car traffic from inside the park in 2018.

“The days of New Yorkers having to navigate a labyrinth of roads and intersections just to get to Prospect Park are finally numbered,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Grand Army Plaza will soon function as a world-class gateway to a world-class park, delivering much-needed pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements.”

“When you come into the park and you kind of go under the arch,” observed Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco, “you’re transformed into a green oasis. This would help bring that sense of calm even further out.”

Previous community outreach in 2024 showed strong support, with over 85% of 3,600 survey respondents backing the option that connects the park and plaza directly to the arch and Bailey Fountain.

There is currently no set budget or construction timeline. Mamdani’s transportation department plans to begin public workshops later this month, with in-person sessions on April 23 and April 25 at the plaza, and a virtual session on April 29 via Zoom. A community feedback survey will be available at nyc.gov/grandarmyplaza through May 31.