Brooklyn Eagle: Celebrate historic relationship to the waterfront

Atlantic Avenue BID and Thrive Collective revamp BQE underpass with new murals

Seven artists transform the Atlantic Avenue BQE underpass to beautify and celebrate Atlantic Avenue’s historic relationship to the waterfront.

ATLANTIC AVENUE — A ceremonial ribbon-cutting will take place at the historic base of Atlantic Avenue on Friday at 3 p.m. Numerous elected officials, as well as the head of Brooklyn Bridge Park, will celebrate two brand-new murals that welcome all traffic passing beneath the portal that has become one of the official entrances to Brooklyn Bridge Park.

The birth of the murals is an inspiring story. The Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) was awarded funding to redesign the Atlantic Avenue BQE underpass with murals via a $60,000 Public Realm Grant from the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS).

Working with Thrive Collective and NYC DOT Art, community input revealed themes of connectivity, urban renewal, the fortitude and perseverance of Atlantic Avenue’s Brooklyn neighborhoods, industrial heritage, immigrant and cultural histories, and the unique built environment of the corridor. Located at a crucial regional nexus, the transformational artwork will reach tens of thousands of people who pass through daily.

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