In the southern end of Brooklyn, the waters of Sheepshead Bay shimmer under the sun, as geese and wild ducks leisurely float by during the day. The residents and tourists of this area have welcomed a long-awaited piece of good news – a 145-year-old pedestrian bridge, spanning Sheepshead Bay and connecting Emmons Avenue to Shore Boulevard, has finally reopened at the end of August after undergoing thorough restoration. This wooden bridge has witnessed the entertainment vibrancy of New York, the rise and fall of immigrant communities, and the transformation of beachside culture, and now it shines anew.
On August 22, New York City Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, along with local officials, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the restored “Ocean Ave Pedestrian Bridge.” This wooden bridge, with a length exceeding 400 feet, has undergone several rebuilds and repairs since its initial construction in 1880, with the last major renovation taking place in 1930.
“Connecting communities is our primary mission, and this bridge is the best example of that,” said Rodriguez. “This century-old wooden structure not only requires structural care but also community unity and guardianship. Today, its rebirth is a shared achievement of Brooklyn.”
The repair work was carried out collectively by the city’s transportation department’s in-house carpenters, ironworkers, painters, and electricians, costing around $1.2 million, with $750,000 coming from state funding secured by former State Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz and the rest covered by the city government. The construction team replaced the deck, walkway planks, vertical supports, railings, and trusses, repainted the bridge, and restored decorative lighting.
“For years, residents and businesses have been calling for repairs, and today’s outcome is a symbol of the cooperation between the community and the government,” emphasized Sheepshead Bay Councilwoman Inna Vernikov during her speech.
The history of this bridge is closely linked to the development of southern Brooklyn. In 1880, railroad tycoon and banker Austin Corbin built the bridge as an annex to his Manhattan Beach resort. At that time, Sheepshead Bay, along with the neighboring Coney Island and Brighton Beach, was a top choice for New Yorkers going out of town on weekends, as it was just a short train ride away from Manhattan to the waterfront.
However, this developer soon regretted his “good deed.” As a notorious xenophobe, Corbin prohibited people of color and Jews from entering his resort, believing that the pedestrian bridge brought about an “undesirable openness.” Despite local officials’ protests, he even considered demolishing the bridge. It wasn’t until 1881 when the New York Highway Commission declared the bridge a public road, and a court injunction was issued, that the bridge was finally preserved.
With the progress of the 20th century, the Sheepshead Bay community underwent drastic transformations. After gambling was prohibited by the state government in 1910, the local racetrack lost its appeal, and residents shifted their focus from horse racing to fishing and water activities. Luxurious seaside hotels gradually disappeared, but this bridge still quietly spanned the bay, witnessing the community’s transition from a resort area to a residential neighborhood.
In the 1930s, the Brooklyn borough rebuilt the bridge, which has almost retained its original form to this day. Only in recent years, as the wooden bridge supports loosened and deteriorated, did it finally lead to this comprehensive restoration.
To understand the unique status of Sheepshead Bay, one must delve into its dining and beachside culture. In 1916, New York City dredged Sheepshead Bay’s waterway, allowing more fishing boats to dock. In the early 1920s, the Wharf Commission planned to further expand the bay and widen Emmons Avenue, proposing to construct 25 piers on the south side and 26 buildings on the north. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle thus labeled the area as the “Modern Venice.”
By the 1930s, Sheepshead Bay became Brooklyn’s most iconic seafood haven, with restaurants and businesses lining the waterfront, making it a bustling hub.
One of the most iconic establishments was Lundy’s seafood restaurant. Founded by Irving Lundy in 1926, this restaurant, located in a Spanish-style grand building on Emmons Avenue, was once the largest seafood restaurant in the United States, seating between 2,400 and 2,800 guests. During peak times, it could even accommodate up to 15,000 diners daily.
However, with changing times and urban consumption habits, Lundy’s eventually closed in 2007, and the site was redeveloped into a shopping plaza. Nevertheless, this historic building is still viewed as a local cultural heritage, reminding people of its past glory.
The resurgence of this bridge symbolizes a new opportunity for Sheepshead Bay for many. It serves as a reminder that this community has not only a history but also a future.
In the eyes of Sheepshead Bay residents, this bridge is not just a means of transportation but also a part of the community and a part of everyday life. Looking from Emmons Avenue, with doves, swans, and boats floating in the bay, and pedestrians walking and taking pictures on the bridge, it has become a unique sight at the southern end of Brooklyn.
However, today’s Sheepshead Bay starkly contrasts with its past glory. Decades ago, this area was a hotspot for New York fishing enthusiasts, with over 40 fishing boats lined up along the piers. Today, only seven or eight remain in operation.
“Young people have waning interest in fishing, and we boat owners haven’t been promoting it properly,” reminisced Captain Fred Ardolino of the local cruise ship “Atlantis,” recalling the bustling 1940s with a tinge of regret.
During a community survey activity at the end of 2023, State Assemblymen Michael Novakhov, Alec Brook-Krasny, and Brian Maher collectively pointed out that Sheepshead Bay’s tourism potential was being underutilized. “We need to find ways to make this area a destination in Brooklyn again, rather than just a quiet residential zone,” said Brian Maher.