Wondering what all that red signage is in the middle of Grand Army Plaza—where the fountain is??? Why, it’s an exhibit presented by the Design Trust for Public Space and the Grand Army Plaza Coalition, which will be there through October 13th. Check it out.

Grand Army Plaza should be one of the world’s great urban spaces. Designed in 1867 by Olmsted and Vaux, this magnificent 11-acre plaza is home to the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch, the elegant Bailey Fountain, the Greenmarket, and the entrance to Prospect Park. Despite its identity as the historic, cultural and geographic heart of Brooklyn, hazardous conditions for pedestrians and cyclists today impede access to neighborhoods, cultural institutions, and prevent use of the Plaza itself.

To catalyze Grand Army Plaza’s rebirth, the Design Trust for Public Space and the Grand Army Plaza Coalition, held an open, international ideas competition in spring 2008 to attract visionary designs for transforming the Plaza. Entrants were encouraged to create bold visions that express the spirit of Brooklyn right now, and did not have to be realistic.

The Reinventing Grand Army Plaza ideas competition resulted in over 200 proposals – from the feasible to the fantastic – submitted from around the world. A distinguished independent jury judged the submissions through an anonymous review, and selected the top 30 proposals to be included in the public exhibit, along with the 4 prizewinning designs.         

From September 13 to October 13, 2008, these visionary plans for a new and improved Grand Army Plaza will be on view in a free, outdoor, public exhibition in the center of the Plaza. Designed by the world-renowned firm Pentagram, this unprecedented exhibit allows the public to imagine the new plans while on site. Visitors to the exhibit will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite ideas via text message in our People’s Choice Award; the results will be announced on October 8th.

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