The Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District debuted its lighting installation Brownsville Is on Nov. 9 at Zion Triangle.
Located at the intersection of East New York Avenue and Legion Street in Brownsville, the installation represents a community-driven effort to transform the area into a safer and more inviting space for residents, shoppers and visitors, according to a press release.
Local Center, an initiative of the Urban Design Forum and the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD) focusing on revitalizing public spaces across New York City, supported the event to celebrate Brownsville’s vibrant culture.
Local group Victory Music and Dance captivated attendees with dynamic drumline and dance showcases. DJ sets by Motive Entertainment and a soulful saxophone performance by Neo-Soul charmed the crowd with renditions of classics like “Just the Two of Us” and Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time.”
The Brownsville Is installation, designed by Studio Cooke John Architecture and Design, is a public art piece and a lighting system. Community members actively participated in the design process, attending workshops to vote on concepts, select colors and contribute words that now illuminate the plaza’s backlit poles.
"Over 150 voices came together to share what Brownsville means to them—words like 'Black,' 'community,' 'culture,' 'home,' and 'tough'—reminding us that our light, like our culture, is powerful and lasting," said Tiera Mack, executive director of the Pitkin Avenue BID.
"Third spaces are essential to enjoying our built environment while embracing identity and community. Brownsville is often the subject of studies and research, but residents rarely see the outcomes of these efforts," said Dasia Jenkins, the BID's Community Engagement Coordinator.
Daniel McPhee, executive director of the Urban Design Forum, described the initiative as "a powerful example of how creative lighting can transform a plaza into a welcoming space for neighbors of all ages.”
