What’s ahead for 2020? Brooklyn’s bigwigs predict the future

January 1, 2020 Mary Frost

Brooklyn from on high. Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle

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We can soon bid a fond adieu to 2019, as the New Year is almost upon us. But after the events of last year, who knows what’s around the corner?

We asked Brooklyn’s most prescient movers and shakers, creatives and others to give us their top prediction for Brooklyn in 2020.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. Eagle photo by Paul Frangipane — Eric Adams. Photo: Paul Frangipane/Brooklyn Eagle

“We will have a deeper conversation about how to help the homeless in our borough and our city. There are new and innovative solutions being devised, such as marginal housing and shared spaces, that I believe may help alleviate the current crisis.” — Eric Adams, Brooklyn Borough President.

The re-opened Gage & Tollner restaurant in Downtown Brooklyn “will become the hottest reservation in town, bringing some new-school glamour to Fulton street while celebrating the legacy of the inimitable Brooklyn landmark.” — Lara Birnback, executive director of the Brooklyn Heights Association.

“Bike lanes! With 28 cyclist deaths (17 of which were from Brooklyn) in 2019, the city can no longer ignore the need for protected bike lanes throughout the Borough.” — Josh Vogel, board member of the Cobble Hill Association and NYC Urbanism founder.

“I predict that Brooklyn will surprise us with a new, progressive and definitely delicious tasting experience in 2020,” — Karen Auster, CEO of Auster Agency, an experiential marketing agency.

“I would love to see more plants incorporated into building designs — roof gardens, wall gardens, gardens everywhere! That, and recreational cannabis of course.” — Lauren Maul, comedian.

Carlo Scissura will chair the blue ribbon panel created to help streamline the BQE reconstruction planning process. Photo courtesy of Carlo Scissura. — Carlo Scissura. Photo: Carlo Scissura

“The Brooklyn Nets will make the playoffs, Coney Island will continue to be the people’s playground, and the BQE will get some much-needed love and attention.” — Carlo Scissura, president of New York Building Congress and chair of the mayor’s special BQE panel.

“Widespread participation in the census, thanks to the unprecedented ‘get out the count’ efforts of community-based organizations, who successfully advocated for over $60 million in funding for census outreach from the city and state in 2019. And we hope a greater census response in Brooklyn leads to not only increased federal funding for our communities, but also more equitable political representation as New York State uses the results to inform on a new redistricting process for elections in 2022.” — Cecilia Clark, president and CEO of Brooklyn Community Foundation.

“I predict Brooklyn will annex Queens and the Bronx and declare independence from New York City.” — Steve Hindy, co-founder and chairperson of The Brooklyn Brewery.

Regina Myer, former president of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, was announced as the new president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership during the “Make it in Brooklyn” summit, which was held at City Point this week. Eagle photos by Andy Katz — Regina Myer. Photo: Andy Katz/Brooklyn Eagle

“Gage & Tollner will herald a new era on Fulton Street.” — Regina Myer, president of the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and former president of Brooklyn Bridge Park.

“Brooklyn will get even queerer! The number of LGBTQ+ folks stepping into elected leadership roles will increase. Brooklyn Community Pride Center will expand into the Bedford-Union Armory where we will reach nearly 20,000 LGBTQ+ folks at the Armory and our Bed-Stuy location annually.” — Floyd Rumohr, CEO of Brooklyn Community Pride Center.

Cobble Hill Association President Amy Breedlove. Eagle photo by Mary Frost — Amy Breedlove. Photo: Mary Frost/Brooklyn Eagle

“My crystal ball says NYU will break ground and begin construction at 70 Atlantic Ave. on the former LICH campus three-plus years behind schedule.” — Amy Breedlove, president of the Cobble Hill Association.

“Summer 2020 is the year the full potential of New Coney Island astonishes the rest of Brooklyn with its awesomeness! From major Luna Park and Aquarium expansions to lots of new Surf Avenue restaurants and brewery plus a 50-room landmark Shore hotel under renovation, expect to be pleasantly shocked and amazed by improvements.” – Dick Zigun, founder of the Coney Island Circus Sideshow.

“Maybe they’ll finish building DUMBO, that would be nice. We’re going to be talking about the BQE, and at least in this neighborhood we’ll be talking about the MTA and overcrowding the subway.” — Karen Johnson, owner of Olympia Wine Bar in DUMBO.