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Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy elects new directors to board

Brooklyn Residents Brendan Coburn and Michael Crane Join Board of Directors

December 18, 2013 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy announced on Tuesday the election of Brendan Coburn and Michael Crane to the organization’s board of directors. The election took place at the Conservancy’s Dec. 17 board meeting.

“We are delighted to welcome Brendan Coburn to the Conservancy team and to welcome Michael Crane back after several years in London,” said Nancy Bowe, Chairman of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. “Both share our energy and enthusiasm for the park and will bring an interesting mix of Brooklyn roots and new perspectives to the board.”

Brendan Coburn was born in Boston and raised in Brooklyn. He founded Coburn Architecture in 1997 after working for I.M. Pei and Rafael Vignoli. The firm’s work has been profiled in many publications including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Metropolitan Home, New York Magazine and the book “Brooklyn Modern.” Brendan lives in Brooklyn with his wife and son in a home that he designed and tinkers with constantly. He also serves on the Board of the Dodge YMCA and the Building/Property Committee of the St. Boniface Oratory.

“When talk of the park first began, I remember my father (also an architect and Brooklynite) saying the park would be an incredibly important addition to the fabric of Brooklyn, but that it would take 25 years to make it happen,” said Coburn. “He was not being pessimistic, he was simply stating what it would take for the forces and finances to align themselves. Well, it has happened and is happening and I am so thrilled to be joining the Conservancy and excited to see my son be able to have this resource at his disposal.”

Michael Crane was raised in Brooklyn Heights and lives in DUMBO with his wife and three sons. Michael and Kate moved into the Clocktower in 1998. They have recently moved back into the building following a 10 year period in London. Before moving to London, Michael was on the Board of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Coalition (now the Conservancy), Community Board 2 and President of the DUMBO Neighborhood Association. Michael has worked in financial services for 30 years and currently works with a European family office. He attended St. Ann’s and Trinity schools and Harvard College.

“I am delighted to be rejoining the Conservancy board after a long absence from Brooklyn,” said Crane. “It has been glorious to see how the plans for Brooklyn Bridge Park have turned into reality over the past ten years, and to see New Yorkers and visitors from around the world actually being able to get out onto the piers and touch and feel the harbor. I am very much looking forward to working with the Conservancy as we move into the future.”

“We are so happy to welcome Michael and Brendan onto the Conservancy Board and know they will make excellent partners in working with the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation to enliven this incredible space,” said Nancy Webster, Executive Director of the Conservancy. “We look forward to this next chapter in the Conservancy’s future.”