DUMBO – LOCALS IN TOURIST hotspot DUMBO are concerned the upcoming World Cup in June, which is expected to bring a major surge of visitors to the metro area, might lead to chaos in the neighborhood’s cramped streets, reports the New York Post.
Areas popular with sightseers, in particular Brooklyn Bridge Park and photo-favorite Washington Street, are overwhelmed by tourists already, residents said, with the city’s planned free World Cup celebration on the waterfront set to draw New Yorkers as well. Concerns included aggressive street vendors, trash pickup and security fears.
Area Councilmember Lincoln Restler agreed, telling the Post that the city has not yet developed any “coordinated planning” to manage the tourism increase in DUMBO. While Restler has sponsored legislation to require the city to produce such a plan and crack down on illegal vending, the World Cup starts in less than two months, leaving locals worried about what measures will be in place come kickoff.
The DUMBO Business Improvement District’s president told the Post that its workers would be helping clean during the events and that it expected city agencies to increase services; BBP and sponsor Adidas will be paying for increased security at the World Cup festival, according to Restler.
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