Dumbo residents call for better crowd control, action plan ahead of World Cup watch parties
Some residents have begun referring to the area as the “Times Square of Brooklyn,” saying it now needs comparable levels of crowd control.
More Stories
Residents in DUMBO are urging the city to adopt stronger public‑space planning and crowd‑management strategies as tourist traffic continues to swell, a concern they say is growing more urgent ahead of this summer’s World Cup viewing events planned for the neighborhood.
People who live near Washington Street, a block widely recognized for its iconic view of the Manhattan Bridge, told News 12 that even on what they described as the “least busy day,” the street is overwhelmed with visitors. Some residents have begun referring to the area as the “Times Square of Brooklyn,” saying it now needs comparable levels of crowd control.
"There are multiple streets that feed into Washington Street and only one way out. You cannot just drive into Times Square, get out, park your car, and yet, that's what people do here every day," said petition author Jamel Talbi.
A petition circulating among locals has gathered hundreds of signatures calling for more consistent management on days when the city’s Open Streets program is not in effect, along with a series of upgrades ahead of the World Cup watch parties.
Residents say that without barriers or traffic restrictions, crowds spill into the roadway, blocking cars and creating safety hazards. They worry that World Cup watch parties could push those crowds deeper into surrounding blocks.
The petition also calls for stepped‑up enforcement against what residents describe as unlicensed vendors, including ice cream trucks they say idle for hours and charge prices far higher than nearby brick‑and‑mortar shops that pay rent in the neighborhood.
Businesses say they welcome the foot traffic but agree that the current conditions are unsustainable.
Patrick Lynn, a resident and restaurant owner, told News 12 that “turning onto Washington Street, it’s a lot of crowds and selfies and cars honking — it gets very hectic.”
He added that while businesses “definitely appreciate the crowds,” they want them “to be a little bit more organized.”
He tells News 12 that while many of his restaurants in the area started serving locals, he believes at least 50% of sales now come from tourists.
"We are not against tourists, we love people who want to see this area, but these crowds are growing, and the response is not keeping up," said Dumbo resident Melissa Rosenfield.
"We are just adding people, adding crowds, an open-air market, vendors are taking up spots or slowing traffic, and no one is checking the tape to see if this very small area can handle this volume," Talbi said.
City Council Member Lincoln Restler has proposed creating a special permitting and event‑management zone for the area, along with increased enforcement.
Residents say they hope changes come before the World Cup brings even larger crowds to the neighborhood, including a call for a neighborhood plan, and barriers that would prevent cars from striking large crowds gathering in the streets.
In a statement to News 12, the DUMBO BID said the area is "One of the most concentrated and walkable creative business districts. These shops and restaurants rely on both local and visit business, it's a perk of living in a popular neighborhood."
