Brooklyn's renowned Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch at Grand Army Plaza is back in business after a meticulous $8.9 million restoration, marking its first major facelift in almost five decades. The historic landmark, which honors those who died defending the Union in the Civil War, is not only sporting a new roof but also boasts repointed granite and refurbished bronze and cast-iron staircases that speak volumes to the city's continued commitment to conserve its architectural heritage.
The restoration initiative was a collab between the Prospect Park Alliance and the City of New York, with the city’s Parks Department also in on the action. Not content to simply fix up what's been battered by time, the project managed to also to throw in some energy-efficient lighting designed to illuminate the arch's historical nuances after the sun sets. According to Gothamist, the Plaza’s surrounding landscape also got spruced up, with the addition of almost 200 native trees, and updates to the plaza's paving and accessibility features.
In keeping with the tradition of grand reopenings, a ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Thursday, where Mayor Eric Adams underscored the arch as “a powerful symbol of Brooklyn’s history, resilience and pride.” Echoing Adams' sentiments, the new city Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa stressed the importance of quality public spaces, adding that New Yorkers "deserve the best from their public realm," as reported by Gothamist.
For those itching to peek under the Arch's newly repaired roof, free guided tours have been penciled in for June 28, which is a fine chance to learn a thing or two about the local history book that is the Grand Army Plaza. Over at AM New York, the Prospect Park Alliance spoke of the Arch's reconstruction, hinting at the high-tech methods involved, from radar to magnetic imaging, especially since the original blueprints were MIA. A dash of historical sleuthing helped match the restoration materials, like Rosendale cement, to their predecessors, and some quarry in Maine got to chip in with fresh stonework.
Morgan Monaco, President of the Prospect Park Alliance, described the arch as “a true monument of the people” and praised the Mayor's Office for backing the project, enabling the Alliance to "restore the Arch to its original glory, and ensure that it serves as an essential civic space for our community for generations to come," she told AM New York.
