Modest Proposal: Use key vista for ‘BROOKLYN!’ sign project
See more renderings of the sign below article
Why a sign?
Brooklyn is a potent idea as well as a place. Whether one is familiar with the borough or not, it is and always has been a name that summons vivid images and associations. In 2009, the motivation for making a free-standing illuminated sign on a site visible from Manhattan was to create a beacon, which would entice more visitors across the river, thereby increasing revenue and raising the borough’s profile and identity. In the ensuing five years, thanks to a proliferation of successful Brooklyn-based businesses, a brand new park, many new venues for the arts, a world-class sports arena, an influx of tech companies and young families, Brooklyn has become synonymous with the ultimate in hipness and chic, both here and abroad. This begs the questions—is a sign still relevant and what more would it accomplish for the borough?
What function would the sign serve?
First, the sign itself would become an immediate icon much like the famous Hollywood sign, the St. Louis Arch, the London Ferris Wheel, the Eiffel Tower and various other highly recognizable constructions. Why not have one in/for Brooklyn? There is no “down side” from any point of view. In addition, any property hosting the sign would also gain visibility and by extention, value. It would impart on the owners a reputation of civic spirit and commitment.