{"id":201744,"date":"2026-04-18T14:01:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T14:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/201744\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T14:01:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T14:01:41","slug":"the-week-in-brooklyn-april-12-19-2026-brooklyn-bridge-parents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/201744\/","title":{"rendered":"The Week in Brooklyn: April 12\u201319, 2026 | Brooklyn Bridge Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brooklyn\u2019s biggest stories this week: A transformational redesign for Grand Army Plaza, 36 alleged gang members indicted in Brownsville, five Brooklyn restaurants added to the Michelin Guide, sensory rooms coming to every District 75 school, the Nets wrap a 20\u201362 season, and the Cyclones finally win one at home. Read on for the latest!<\/p>\n

City Hall
\nGrand Army Plaza: The Arch Will Get Its Park Back<\/p>\n

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Mayor Mamdani and the Department of Transportation unveiled a proposal this week to transform Brooklyn\u2019s Grand Army Plaza by eliminating car traffic between the Soldiers\u2019 and Sailors\u2019 Memorial Arch and the entrance to Prospect Park. Under the plan, the road connecting Union Street to Eastern Parkway on the arch\u2019s south side would become a pedestrian plaza, linking the arch directly to the park for the first time. Grand Army Plaza would no longer function as a traffic circle; vehicles would be rerouted to the northern side of the arch. The redesign also includes new crossings to Bailey Fountain, shorter crosswalks at Flatbush and Vanderbilt Avenues, improved bike infrastructure, and streamlined bus service on the B41 (27,300 daily riders) and B6 (5,600 daily riders). \u201cAnyone who\u2019s tried to cross here knows how dangerous and chaotic the streets can be,\u201d Mamdani said. \u201cThis redesign is long overdue.\u201d The plan fulfills a 20-year dream of Brooklyn transportation advocates; public workshops begin April 23, with a community feedback survey open through May 31 at nyc.gov\/grandarmyplaza<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2-K Goes Full-Day and Full-Year<\/p>\n

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In a major win for working parents, Mamdani announced that the city\u2019s new 2-K program for two-year-olds will launch this fall with full-day and full-year coverage \u2014 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., 260 days a year, compared to the traditional 180-day school calendar that ends at 2:30 p.m. \u201cFor many families working nine to five, an eight to three program isn\u2019t going to cut it,\u201d the mayor said at a Brownsville event. He estimated the expanded hours will save working parents at least $20,000 per child. The first 2,000 seats open this fall across five school districts, with plans to expand to 12,000 seats citywide by 2027. Governor Hochul contributed $73 million in state funding for the first year. (And yes, Cardi B recorded a jingle for it.)<\/p>\n

Police Blotter
\nMoped Driver in Baby Kaori Shooting Arraigned<\/p>\n

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Matthew Rodr\u00edguez, the 18-year-old accused of driving the moped in the fatal shooting of 7-month-old Kaori Patterson-Moore, was extradited from Pennsylvania and arraigned in Brooklyn this week on charges of murder, attempted murder, assault, weapons possession, witness tampering and hindering prosecution. \u201cIt was not my fault. I didn\u2019t pull the trigger. I promise I didn\u2019t know,\u201d Rodr\u00edguez shouted to reporters before being driven to court. His co-defendant, alleged shooter Amuri Greene, 21, also pleaded not guilty at his arraignment earlier this week.<\/p>\n

36 Alleged Gang Members Indicted in Brownsville<\/p>\n

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced the indictment of 36 alleged members of two rival Brownsville-based gangs \u2014 the Wooo and the Choo \u2014 on charges related to 36 shootings over nearly three years, one of them fatal. Ten people were injured in the shootings, including an innocent bystander, and surveillance footage showed children fleeing playgrounds as gunfire erupted. \u201cTheir vicious campaign of retaliation and retribution waged with absolutely no regard for human life turned every slight into a shootout,\u201d Tisch said, standing over a table of confiscated firearms. Two gang members were also charged with stomping a perceived rival in Downtown Brooklyn.<\/p>\n

Viral Video of Violent NYPD Arrest in Boerum Hill Sparks Outrage<\/p>\n

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Two NYPD detectives were placed on modified duty this week after a viral video showed them repeatedly punching, kicking and stomping on a man inside BK Wine Depot on Hoyt and Baltic Streets in Boerum Hill on Tuesday. The man, Timothy Brown, 46, a home health aide, was wearing green shorts \u2014 the same color as the clothing description of a suspect in a nearby drug operation. Police later determined Brown had nothing to do with the drug sale. He was initially charged with resisting arrest; Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez dropped the charge the next day. \u201cI just thank God that I\u2019m alive,\u201d Brown told CBS News. Mayor Mamdani called the video \u201cextremely disturbing and unacceptable,\u201d and Commissioner Tisch called it \u201cdeeply disturbing.\u201d The Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating.<\/p>\n

Schools
\nSensory Rooms Coming to Every District 75 Elementary School<\/p>\n

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Brooklyn officials announced a first-of-its-kind initiative to build sensory rooms in every District 75 elementary school in the borough. The rooms are designed to support students with autism and other sensory processing needs by providing a calming, regulated environment within the school building.<\/p>\n

Wild Weather
\nBrooklyn Breaks Out the Shorts: Record Heat Hits Mid-April<\/p>\n

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Kids went back to school in jackets on Monday. By Wednesday it was 90 degrees \u2014 the hottest April 15th since FDR\u2019s third term. Central Park hit 88\u201390\u00b0F on Tuesday and Wednesday, smashing an 85-year-old record of 87\u00b0F set on April 15, 1941. Highs were nearly 30 degrees above normal for mid-April. The heat is expected to cool off by the weekend, dropping back to the 60s. In the meantime: hydrate, check on your neighbors, and enjoy the early preview of summer.<\/p>\n

Food
\nFive Brooklyn Restaurants Added to the Michelin Guide<\/p>\n

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Brooklyn dominated the Michelin Guide\u2019s latest update this week, claiming five of nine new NYC additions. The new honorees: Entre Nous (Clinton Hill, French\/natural wine), Los Burritos Ju\u00e1rez (Clinton Hill, El Paso\u2013style burritos), Bong (Cambodian), Vato (Park Slope, sourdough tortiller\u00eda from the team behind Michelin-starred Corima), and I Cavallini (from the team behind Michelin-starred The Four Horsemen in Williamsburg). The restaurants haven\u2019t yet earned Stars or Bib Gourmands but are now on inspectors\u2019 radar for future awards. Read our full write-up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Events & Entertainment
\nThe Other Art Fair Brooklyn & DUMBO Open Studios are on<\/p>\n

The Other Art Fair Brooklyn\u00a0<\/a> is back for its 17th edition, and at the new\/old location in Brooklyn Navy Yard. This spring\u2019s theme, \u00a0Nostalgia Core\u00a0, is one you won\u2019t want to miss and runs Thursday April 16 \u2013 19th.<\/p>\n

On April 18 + 19 from 1\u20136pm, over 100 artists in DUMBO open\u00a0their doors to the public as a part of\u00a0DUMBO Open Studios<\/a>, giving visitors a look into\u00a0studios\u00a0and workspaces across the Brooklyn waterfront.<\/p>\n

Fashion Week Brooklyn Takes Over Williamsburg and Park Slope<\/p>\n

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Fashion Week Brooklyn returned April 11\u201318 with a full slate of runway shows, cultural events, and designer showcases across the borough. Highlights included a Japan x Brooklyn Designers Festival in Park Slope featuring Japanese and Brooklyn-based designers on a shared runway, a Kidswear Festival, a fashion school tour, and the main runway events at the Pfizer Building in Williamsburg. The week kicked off with a black-tie event at a Bronx golf course and wrapped with closing night shows at 630 Flushing Avenue. Tickets and details at\u00a0fashionweekbrooklyn.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Real Estate & Development<\/p>\n

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Brooklyn Heights Brownstone Enters Contract at $8.5 Million<\/p>\n

A five-story brownstone at 10 Sidney Place in Brooklyn Heights went into contract last week at an asking price of $8.5 million, topping the borough\u2019s luxury market for the week. The 21-foot-wide home spans 5,700 square feet with six bedrooms and five bathrooms, plus a garden-level kitchen with access to a rear deck. Overall, Brooklyn saw 20 luxury deals signed (homes asking $2 million or more) for a total contract volume of $71 million, with a median asking price of $2.7 million. Not quite last week\u2019s Bond-sells-the-townhouse drama, but the market\u2019s humming along.<\/p>\n

Sports
\nOn the Court<\/p>\n

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The Nets\u2019 2025\u201326 season is in the books. Brooklyn closed out the year with losses at Milwaukee (125\u2013108 on Friday) and at Toronto (136\u2013101 on Sunday), finishing 20\u201362. It\u2019s the worst record in the league, which means the Nets hold the best odds for the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. The lottery is set for May 13. For a team deep in its rebuild, that\u2019s the silver lining \u2014 and with young players like Ben Saraf, E.J. Liddell and Nolan Traore getting real minutes down the stretch, there\u2019s at least a foundation to build on.<\/p>\n

On the Diamond<\/p>\n

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The Cyclones are home, and they now have a win to show for it. After an 0\u20136 start that included a shutout loss at Jersey Shore, Brooklyn opened its first full homestand at Maimonides Park on Tuesday night against the Greensboro Grasshoppers and pulled out a thrilling 9\u20138 victory. The hero: top prospect Mitch Voit, who launched a go-ahead three-run homer in the eighth inning to seal it. Catcher Daiverson Guti\u00e9rrez went 4-for-5 with a homer of his own. Wednesday was less kind \u2014 a 15\u20134 blowout \u2014 but the homestand continues through Saturday. The \u2018Clones are 3\u20137 and finding their footing.<\/p>\n

On the Pitch<\/p>\n

A perfect doubleheader weekend at Maimonides Park for Brooklyn FC. The men routed Charleston Battery 3\u20130 on Saturday night in what head-to-head was their most dominant performance of the young season. Jaden Servania opened the scoring in the 9th minute with a left-footed strike from outside the box, Stefan Stojanovic doubled the lead in the 32nd off a Markus Anderson assist, and Anderson sealed it in the 61st. Anderson was named USL Championship Player of the Week for his goal-and-two-assists performance; goalkeeper Jackson Lee earned a Team of the Week nod for four saves and the clean sheet. The men are now 2\u20134\u20130 and climbing. On Sunday, the women matched the scoreline with a 3\u20130 win over Dallas Trinity FC. Center back Kelsey Hill broke through in the 44th minute, and forward Rebecca Cooke added a brace (57th and 85th minutes) to put it away \u2014 even after Brooklyn went down to 10 players following a 69th-minute red card. Next up for the men: Sacramento Republic FC at Maimonides Park on Tuesday, April 21.<\/p>\n

Do you want all local parenting news in your inbox? Sign up for our weekly newsletter now<\/a>!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Brooklyn\u2019s biggest stories this week: A transformational redesign for Grand Army Plaza, 36 alleged gang members indicted in…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":201745,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[98,100,99,9,24,63],"class_list":{"0":"post-201744","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-brooklyn","8":"tag-brooklyn","9":"tag-brooklyn-headlines","10":"tag-brooklyn-news","11":"tag-new-york","12":"tag-new-york-city","13":"tag-nyc"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=201744"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/201744\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/201745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=201744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=201744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=201744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}