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Time Out
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
How a park under NYC's formerly 'most hated' bridge became its coolest venue
The walk from the Graham Avenue L station was just 30 minutes, but on the first really warm day of the early summer as the shaded sidewalks of Williamsburg disappeared into an increasingly industrial, treeless landscape, I kept wondering if the schlep would actually be worth it. When I arrived at my destination under the Kosciuszko Bridge (I can hear my father chuckling in disbelief), I was more than pleasantly surprised. This was June 2021 and I was there for Reggae Under the Bridge —one of the early, legally-sanctioned events held after the most strict Covid regulations had been lifted. My whole community and many more were there enjoying the sun, cool shade and—well into the evening—deep cuts blasting out of a massive sound system that overlooked the Newtown Creek and the eastern Manhattan skyline. It was absolutely joyous. Today, Under the K-Bridge has become one of New York's most unique and hippest venues. The 6.7-acre site—an open-air, multiuse space owned by the State Department of Transportation and run by the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance—has seen everything from events held by House of Yes to massively-attended DJ sets from popular electronic acts like Björk and Four Tet (whose recent set featured a surprise appearance from Skrillex). Alternative acts have taken to the space too: Hardcore punk group Turnstile performed at the K-Bridge in early June and CBGB Fest will bring the likes of Iggy Pop, the Sex Pistols and the Linda Lindas to the space in late September. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Bowery Presents (@bowerypresents) 'Under the K-Bridge wants to take all my money this summer,' says Brooklyn-based writer Ana Yglesias, who plans to attend Ladyland Festival with Cardi B and FKA Twigs in June. Bands, bookers and fans like Yglesias are drawn to Under the K-Bridge for its only-in-New-York vibe. 'Under the K-Bridge offers such a unique experience for New Yorkers, something very raw, gritty and for the music,' says GRAMMY-winning South African DJ Black Coffee, whose two-night stand at the venue in 2024 drew thousands. 'You feel like you're part of a secret.' 'You're in the trendiest neighborhoods in New York, Greenpoint, Williamsburg, and then it kind of becomes this industrial neighborhood that you can't quite figure out what you're getting into,' says Jim Glancy, copartner of Bowery Presents, the main agency booking the venue. 'Then you start to hear music, and you're under this bridge and there's five or six or seven thousand people with sound and lights and this incredible music, and I think it is just touching people in a pretty incredible way.' Katie Denny Horowitz, executive director of the North Brooklyn Parks Alliance, points to a unique juxtaposition of nature and development. '[Under the K-Bridge exists] against the backdrop of the kind of gritty New York City that, I think, a lot of people are yearning for. It is not a fake space. It is a space that you do not just come across. You feel like you're part of a secret.' The park is situated directly under the BQE between Van Dam Street and Newtown Creek—a place that once seemed largely inaccessible due to the industrial business zone surrounding it and the traffic overhead. When a $1 billion makeover of the original Kosciuszko Bridge (the city's 'most hated,' per the New York Times) was completed in 2019, the Parks Alliance was already working on a plan to build out the space underneath the bridge's southern span. The Alliance held community workshops and visioning sessions, eventually landing on a multiuse space that included a skate park and a small amphitheater. Crucially for music lovers, 'large-scale events were something that was part of [the park's] DNA before shovels even hit the ground,' Denny Horowitz says. Following an illegal rave and a couple of break-ins by excitable skaters, the space officially opened in June 2021. Because the park is owned by the state rather than the city, Under the K-Bridge was subject to slightly different Covid regulations around gatherings. The Alliance's rollout of live events was incremental, beginning with community programming like Reggae Under the Bridge and House of Yes's Summer of Love. The Alliance partnered with Bowery Presents—which operates venues like Brooklyn Steel and Webster Hall, and worked with NBPA to program concerts at McCarren Park Pool a decade prior—in 2024. Last year, Bowery presented nine shows at the K-Bridge; this year it has 15 planned. 'This is obviously a completely raw space that isn't on everyone's radar at this point,' says Glancy. 'The first few shows we've had [this season], we've had industry out and they're just losing their minds about how cool it is. So I think over time, more and more artists will hear about it.' Hosting concerts Under the K-Bridge isn't without issue, however. There are no services—porta-potties must be brought in and there's nothing resembling the back-of-house infrastructure of an established venue. That austere atmosphere might lend itself more to an electronic DJ who has fewer crew on the road and requires less backline, or a punk band more attuned to the rough-hewn aesthetic of the place. 'It's also a public park with no public funding. Every dollar that is used to maintain the park… whether it's seating or horticultural features, we have to raise,' Denny Horowitz says. 'Part of the funding model was to be able to have events there that could earn enough revenue to actually pay to support the park.' Which isn't to say Under the K-Bridge has been an unprofitable venture. Glancy characterized Bowery's 2024 series on site as 'absolutely positive' while 2025 'looks good'—even for a business with tight margins. However, given the level of build required for each show, Under the K-Bridge is best fit for artists who can command higher ticket prices. Tickets to Turnstile's June 5 show are around $110 as of writing; Jamie xx, who will perform over two nights in early August, commands up to $153 for VIP admission. The North Brooklyn Parks Alliance has been host to about two dozen shows each outdoor season since 2021 and has no plans to slow down. They're working toward becoming a zero-waste event space and also plan to continue working with community organizers on free events. 'We steered away from creating this identity for the space, because it has organically achieved this reputation for attracting folks from all over the city,' Denny Horowitz says. 'The bridge itself is so mesmerizing. It has the light show from above, you have these columns overhead. That is something that isn't a visual and physical presence in any other space.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Niagara Falls to shine orange for Work Zone Awareness Week
Niagara Falls and 12 other state landmarks will be illuminated orange tonight for 'Go Orange Day' and to commemorate National Work Zone Awareness Week. 'Safety for all New Yorkers is my top priority, especially those who have dedicated their careers to ensuring that our roadways are well maintained and safe for motorists,' Gov. Kathy Hochul said. 'This year, I encourage all New Yorkers to do their part by reducing speed, eliminating distractions and staying vigilant in work zones so that our hard-working and dedicated roadside workers are safe.' On Monday, Hochul highlighted April 21-25 as National Work Zone Awareness Week. Throughout the week, the New York State Thruway Authority and State Department of Transportation will be hosting awareness events, lighting digital highway signs with safety messages and sharing important safety reminders on social media platforms. it continues Hochul's commitment to traffic safety, from launching the public awareness campaign, 'Slow Down, Move Over' and signing a bill to expand the 'Move Over' law in 2023. Hochul has proposed making the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement pilot program permanent and increasing penalties for repeat violators in her Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget, in addition to expanding the program to include Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bridges and Tunnels and New York State Bridge Authority properties. Additionally, the Governor has proposed enhancing penalties for assaults against transportation workers, extending protections similar to those provided to many MTA and retail workers. These actions will improve safety for both highway workers and drivers. New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, 'The lighting of state landmarks as part of 'Go Orange Day' is a fitting tribute to the highway workers across New York who work every day in dangerous conditions to make our roads and bridges safe for all New Yorkers. I thank Governor Hochul for her ongoing commitment to protect our state highway workers by supporting the work zone speed camera program and encouraging all motorists to exercise extreme caution in work zones across New York state.' Landmarks to be lit include: • Niagara Falls • 1WTC • Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge • Kosciuszko Bridge • The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building • Alfred E. Smith State Office Building • Empire State Plaza • State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center • The 'Franklin D. Roosevelt' Mid-Hudson Bridge • Albany International Airport Gateway • MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station • Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal • Moynihan Train Hall
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Oneonta roundabout construction to start at end of May
The Oneonta roundabout project finally has a public timeline of construction. State Department of Transportation officials announced this week that construction on the new roundabout at James F. Lettis Highway/state Route 23 and Main Street/state Route 7 is scheduled to begin May 27 and conclude at the end of November, with potential delays for weather or resource availability. The project will convert the intersection of Lettis Highway and Main Street into a single-lane roundabout. New sidewalks, lighting and signage, including flashing beacons, will be installed to enhance safety for pedestrians as well as new drainage systems and landscaping. Work on the project got underway this month with a tree removal and other site preparation activities. Four NYSDOT representatives presented the information during the Common Council meeting Tuesday, April 15. The majority of construction is expected to take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, with occasional Saturday or night work, officials said. Traffic on Main Street and Lettis Highway will be disrupted during construction due to road closures, with detours around the intersection for vehicles and a pedestrian taxi to shuttle people along Lettis Highway. NYSDOT will add signage on Interstate 88 informing drivers of the construction and directing them to use alternate routes. Detours are expected to end by mid-October, although flaggers may still be necessary for temporary traffic control. Travel advisories will be sent to New York 511, from which Google Maps, Apple Maps and Waze upload information to their mapping systems to help people navigate the detours. Phased construction The work will be done in two construction phases. Phase 1 is expected to last three months. The intersection will be closed to all through traffic other than vehicles traveling eastbound on Main Street to Lettis Highway southbound and vehicles traveling northbound on Lettis Highway to Main Street northeast bound. Access to the post office and its parking lot at 352 Main St. will be maintained throughout construction. Miller Park and Curtis Park will be closed during this phase. Phase 2 is expected to last one to two months. Access to Lettis Highway southbound will be closed and all traffic approaching the intersection from the west will be detoured around the intersection. Vehicles traveling northbound on Lettis Highway will not be able to turn right onto Main Street. Curtis Park will reopen during Phase 2, but Miller Park will remain closed. Throughout the project, there will be sidewalk closures and detours around the intersection during all phases of work. All detours will be posted through signs and modified accordingly as they progress construction on the sidewalks. A free, 24-hour taxi service for pedestrians will be available at four stops when there is no accessible detour option. Upon request, an ADA accessible taxi will be available. The taxi provider will be selected by the contractor. Why a roundabout? Andrew Stiles, regional director for NYSDOT Region 9, said Wednesday that the traffic signal at intersection is nearing the end of its service life. Anytime there is a decision whether to replace a traffic signal, officials consider whether a roundabout is a good option. 'Looking more closely, we felt the roundabout is better alternative,' Stiles said. Even if DOT had decided against building a roundabout, 'we would be doing a project to replace and upgrade the service signal.' 'The roundabout will operate better in this area,' he said, 'so traffic can flow more smoothly at lower traffic speed and make the intersection safer.' Many downtown business owners have expressed concerns about the impact on business during construction, worrying that people would find having to navigate detours a reason to avoid downtown completely. 'There will always be some inconvenience,' Stiles said. 'There's no way to avoid it entirely, but we always strive to mitigate it.' That involves ongoing communication about construction updates through travel advisories, ensuring local business owners, city officials, the colleges and emergency services are kept informed. Gov. Kathy Hochul's said in a statement Thursday that Oneonta, 'is a true gem of the I-88 corridor, with a robust, walkable downtown, thriving businesses and thousands of college students making this Mohawk Valley community their temporary home every year. We want to make sure that everyone in Oneonta reaches their destinations as safely as possible, and that's just what this new roundabout and other community enhancements will provide.' State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said in a statement that investing in transportation infrastructure creates safer systems that reduce conflicts and minimize the likelihood of fatal crashes, 'with the goal getting to zero fatalities, because even one death on our highway system is too many.' 'This new roundabout will benefit the entire Oneonta community,' Dominguez said, 'creating more efficient vehicle flow and enhancing safety for the many residents, visitors and students who travel to and from this beautiful city and its many attractions each day.' More information and updates on the project can be found online at .
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Fatal crash on Palisades Parkway in Rockland causing major morning traffic delays Friday
A fatal multi-vehicle crash on the Palisades Interstate Parkway in Orangeburg near the New Jersey border caused major traffic delays for commuters early the morning of Friday, Feb. 28. According to NY511, the alert system of the State Department of Transportation, the fatal crash happened around 6:19 a.m. between exit 5B on Route 303 and exit 4, headed southbound towards the New Jersey border. Palisades Parkway Police confirmed the crash but declined to provide any additional details. It is unclear how many victims or vehicles were involved. The incident remains under investigation. As of 7:15 a.m., all four lanes of the PIP remain closed, causing major traffic delays. Police advise commuters to seek alternate routes of travel. (This is a developing story and will update.) This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Fatal crash on Palisades Parkway near Orangeburg NY-New Jersey border
