By the Numbers
$100M
In public investments are part of the Downtown Brooklyn Redevelopment Plan
Abolitionist Place
Location:
Brooklyn
Project Status:
Ongoing
The City has renamed Willoughby Square as Abolitionist Place, commemorating the 19th century abolitionist movement, with a focus on the Underground Railroad and its ties to Brooklyn. Abolitionist Place will bring green space and community amenities to Downtown Brooklyn, further enhancing the growing commercial, residential, and cultural hub.
The City, Elected Officials, and Community Officials Rename Willoughby Square as Abolitionist Place
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Open to All
NYCEDC’s work at Abolitionist Place will be a 1.15-acre, street-level, public open green space in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn, half a block from the vibrant Fulton Street Mall. The project is part of the Downtown Brooklyn Redevelopment Plan, a set of space and infrastructure commitments made in 2004 to reinvigorate the neighborhood and celebrate the area’s unique heritage.
We opened a portion of the site in July 2019 for use by the local community while the design and development plan is being finalized.
History in Design
In partnership with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) Percent for Art program, artist Kenseth Armstead was selected to design a site-specific public art installation commemorating the Abolitionist Movement with a focus on the Underground Railroad and the contemporary importance of this legacy. Armstead's proposed installations, "True North - Every Negro is a Star" and "Conductors", are anticipated to be approved by the New York City Public Design Commission (PDC) for conceptual design in April 2024.
Abolitionist Place north west view. Rendering: Hargreaves Jones
The commemorative design builds on the work of In Pursuit of Freedom, a multifaceted public history initiative created by a partnership between Brooklyn Historical Society, Weeksville Heritage Center, and Irondale Ensemble Project that explores the everyday heroes of Brooklyn’s anti-slavery movement.
Moving Forward
Abolitionist Place will be open to the public in Spring 2024. DCLA anticipates the art installation to begin in 2026.
