Overdue Repairs to Brooklyn War Memorial Addressed Tonight

Located across from the Federal Courthouse in Cadman Plaza Park, the Brooklyn War Memorial was erected in 1951 to honor more than 300,000 Brooklynites who served in World War II.

In need of repairs, the Memorial has been closed for 25 years, deeming it impossible for the public to go inside to view the list of over 11,000 names of the Brooklyn service members killed during the war.

The Phase 1 design proposal for the renovation of the memorial will be presented Monday, March 20 at 6pm by the Parks and Recreations Committee of Community Board 2. The meeting will take place at the Brooklyn Hospital Center located at 121 DeKalb Avenue at St. Felix Street in Fort Greene.

Repairs and upgrades for the Memorial are estimated to cost approximately $15 million. Phase 1 of the project would include reconstructing portions of the West Plaza that lead to the Memorial’s entrance and designing an ADA-approved ramp.

Interior work involves installing an ADA-compliant lift from the basement to the first floor of the building as well as an FDNY and NYC DOB-compliant fire-alarm system.

More than 15 years ago, former Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden raised $10.5 million for renovations to the Memorial, according to a Brooklyn Daily Eagle article, however the money was diverted to other projects after Golden left office.

Borough President Eric Adams allocated $1 million toward a handicap access ramp for the Memorial in July 2015 in hopes of giving the project a kick-start.

The Cadman Plaza Conservancy has started a GoFundMe page to raise funds for the restoration project.