The report seeks to understand how robotaxis — also known as for-hire autonomous vehicles (AVs) — would impact human for-hire-vehicle drivers who could be replaced by them as well as traffic patterns across the five boroughs.

Traffic wiz Sam Schwartz's Hunter College research program and the advocacy group Open Plans, the study's authors, set out to challenge the pitch from AV companies, like Waymo and Tesla, that the driverless vehicles will make city streets safer and less congested.

"We felt like there's a lot of conversation about Waymo and their safety record and how they would make transportation better in New York City, and we wanted to just examine that from a data perspective," said Open Plans Executive Director Sara Lind in an interview.

The city had been piloting Waymo's robotaxis, with trained drivers behind the wheel, in Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn. However, Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration declined to renew the program, which had been launched by his predecessor Eric Adams last year, when it expired in March 2026.

Kelly McGuinness, director of the Sam Schwartz Transportation Research Program, said that, in particular, they wanted to look at whether robotaxis would make city streets safer before introducing them here.

"We really wanted to dig into the safety question before Waymos are deployed in New York City," she said.

What the robotaxi study concluded for NYC

The study compares data released by Waymo, on its operations around the country dating back to its 2020 launch, to that on for-hire-vehicle drivers in New York City — both taxi drivers and those for apps like Uber and Lyft — compiled by the city Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) and Department of Transportation (DOT). The city data was from last year, according to the report.

McGuinness said they drew the comparison both because for-hire-vehicle drivers are 14 times safer than the average city motorist and their jobs could be directly impacted by the proliferation of robotaxis.

"Are these vehicles safer than the for-hire-vehicle drivers that we have now?" McGuinness said. "We're trying to bring in a mode of transportation that's a direct competitor with another mode of transportation."

Lind said the report compares Waymo with for-hire vehicle drivers per one million miles traveled because the company's autonomous vehicles drive so much less nationally than taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts in New York alone. She added that it used Waymo data in particular, not to single the company out, but because it releases more metrics than any other AV maker.

When it comes to safety, the report found that nationally Waymo robotaxis are involved in significantly fewer crashes overall than New York City for-hire-vehicle drivers — roughly 67% fewer crashes causing injuries per one million miles traveled. But when narrowed to crashes causing deaths or serious injuries, the trend flips, and robotaxis become 1 1/2 times more likely than city for-hire-vehicle drivers to be involved in such incidents per one million miles.

Lind said the disparity could be because for-hire-vehicle drivers prioritize safety.

"For-hire vehicle drivers are professionals," she said. "They drive every day for a living, and they are very safe."

However, Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher pushed back on the study's methodology, calling it "not scientifically sound." He said the firm takes issue with both the definition it uses for serious injuries and its comparison of New York crash data to Waymo's safety performance in other cities.

"Any meaningful safety analysis should compare data consistently, based on best practices," he said. "We also caution against extrapolating Waymo’s safety performance from one place to another."

The study also found that robotaxis could lead to more congestion in the city.

The finding was derived from examining Waymo's performance in San Francisco, California, where robotaxis spend more time driving empty — known as deadheading miles — than for-hire-vehicle drivers in New York. Moreover, Waymo's vehicles in California are likely spending over half of their time without passengers parked.

But in New York, it is far more difficult to find a parking space — a reality that could lead to robotaxis spending even more time deadheading.

"While it's challenging to make assessments comparing cities that are not the same, we can only infer that the parking behavior would be even more constrained in a dense city like Manhattan," McGuinness said. "We think that in a space-constrained place like New York City, the deadheading miles or the mileage traveled overall would increase."

The report also includes recommendations for the city, such as requiring AV companies to compare safety data to the city's for-hire-vehicle drivers, preparing fees to hit AVs with when they are introduced, and restricting robotaxis from particularly dense parts of the city.

Lind said the city could apply the last recommendation to Manhattan's Central Business District, where congestion pricing is in effect.

"New York City should think about where we want these," Lind said. "Do we want to allow them into the congestion relief zone? Or do we feel like there's enough traffic there? And maybe we want to limit them? Especially with a fleet like this, a benefit is we can tell them where they can go and where they can't go."

Locals surrendered a total of 191 firearms at the event, including nine assault weapons, 162 handguns and four long guns, according to the Attorney General's office, which hosted the event in partnership with the District Attorney, the NYPD, and Emmanuel Baptist Church. 

The first 60 participants in the “no ID, no questions asked” buyback received a $100 retail gift card. Those who turned in operable handguns and assault rifles received a $500 bank card, while ghost or 3D-printed guns were exchanged for $200. Each rifle or shotgun earned $75 and air guns, imitation pistols or non-operable firearms earned $25.

“Every gun removed from our communities is a potential life saved and crisis averted,” said Attorney General Letitia James. “This weekend’s gun buyback event resulted in the removal of 191 unwanted guns from our streets, marking a critical step in our fight to protect our communities from gun violence.”

Since she took office in 2019, James' office has helped remove nearly 10,000 guns from the streets of New York City. 

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said buybacks help prevent firearms from being used in crimes, suicides or accidental shootings involving children.

“I sleep better at night after events like this, knowing that close to 200 weapons are no longer in homes and potentially on our streets,” he said. “As Brooklyn continues to experience a historically safe year and summer in terms of gun violence, we are committed to keep reducing the proliferation of guns, engaging our communities and further improving public safety.”

In a statement, Dr. Shareka N. Newton, senior pastor-elect of Emmanuel Baptist Church, said hosting the buyback was a small make the community safer for children and families. 

"I am from Brooklyn, and I know firsthand the difference a safe, caring community can make in the life of a young person," she said. "I was able to grow, dream, and become who I am because people in this community helped protect and nurture me."

Last year was the safest in Brooklyn history, as homicides and shooting incidents fell to record-breaking lows. So far this year, murder and shooting incidents are down significantly in the borough, according to NYPD data, and crime is down citywide, too. So far this year, overall crime across the five boroughs is down just over 6%, while shooting incidents are down more than 7%. 

Earlier this month, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced that “NYPD delivered the fewest shooting incidents, shooting victims, and murders in recorded history for the first half of the year.” She also added that murders are down in Brooklyn with “all-time lows.” Still, the borough has been shaken by outbursts of violence, including a Fourth of July shooting that left eight people — including four children — injured in Coney Island. 

“Every gun recovered is a potential tragedy avoided and life saved," Tisch said after the July 18 buyback. "Thanks to the NYPD’s precision policing strategy, and the men and women in uniform who do this dangerous work, we have removed over 2,700 guns from our streets so far this year and driven down gun violence and murders to record lows. We will continue to invest in these important programs with our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”

It’s the second FIFA World Cup title for La Furia Roja after 2010. The team went into the final as a heavy favorite, dominating throughout the game and controlling 66% of possession, with 12 on-target shots compared to Argentina’s 0.

Spain fans who had gathered alongside Argentina fans at the Black Horse Pub in Park Slope told Brooklyn Paper during halftime why they wanted Spain to win the world's most coveted sports title.

While Carleen, a France fan, liked Lionel Messi as a player, she was rooting for Spain because of the favoritism Argentina enjoyed throughout the tournament.

“I like Spain because I feel that the game is being swayed to support Messi. I don't think that they're being fair toward the other teams who are playing Argentina. And for that reason, I want Spain to win,” Carleen said, adding, “But I am happy that it seems like Kylian Mbappé is gonna get the Golden Boot,” referring to the French National striker, who scored 10 goals throughout the tournament, beating Messi by two in goal standings.

Soccer fans Michelle and Kevin were backing Spain because they didn’t like Argentina, though Kevin joked that he supports the team because “he had to” since he lives with Michelle.   

“I like that Spain is taking possession of the ball and hopefully not letting Argentina score,” Michelle said, though Kevin was concerned that while Spain had had many chances throughout the first half, the team wasn’t finishing in the final third. 

“[Spain] needs to finish in the final third in order to have a chance. Argentina hasn't had a great World Cup, but they're playing with the spirit to try to come back,” Kevin noted

Julio, originally a Mexico fan, was rooting for Spain and predicted the team would win 1-0.

“I think [the game] is going pretty good. They just need to finish off those plays,” he said.

Brooklynite Pat was rooting for Argentina because of 39-year-old Lionel Messi.

“He’s one of the greatest players ever, if not the greatest player,” Pat said.

After a scoreless regular time, the game went into overtime, and things grew more tense. 

Spain’s Nico Williams scored in the 97th minute; however, the goal was disallowed for an alleged foul by Mikel Merino, who stepped on the left foot of Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi inside the box. It wasn’t until the 106th minute that Ferran Torres broke the 0-0 stalemate, scoring the winning goal after a headed assist from Nico Williams.

Spain fans Dorita and Andre were elated that their team, which is also the reigning European Cup Champion, took home the trophy.

Spain’s approach in the match, Andre said, was defined by preparation, discipline and timing. 

With Argentina spending much of the game in a defensive style, Spain managed the match by “relaxing” earlier rather than pushing at full intensity from the outset.

“Argentina has been pretty much playing defense for 80% of the game, and they'll up the intensity towards the end. If you look at all the other games, they're scoring toward the end of the game, but Spain actually relaxed and wasn't attacking as hard as they could have, so they're not burning their players out in that first half,” Andre explained. “They also play very good defense because once Argentina upped their intensity, they were there every single time to stop the shots.”

Despite the sometimes questionable refereeing decisions that seemed to favor Argentina during the tournament — like Argentina’s win against Egypt in the Round of 16, when the referees disallowed an Egypt goal and denied a penalty kick — Spain still found ways to match the late pressure, Andre noted.

“Honestly, I feel like had the reffing been a little bit better, Argentina would not have made it past that game [against Egypt],” Andre said. “Today, with a lot of the calls that were for Argentina. So it's almost like nobody can say that Spain didn't earn it because even with the reffing being more towards the Argentinian side, they overcame that.”

Argentina fan Alex Formoso said he was pretty disappointed, as Argentina could have won the trophy for the fourth time.

“They were playing a certain defensive style, and they were inviting pressure, and that's how  Spain was able to go up 1-0,” Formoso said. “They were playing for penalties. All of their subs were defensive subs, and the guys on Spain were like young children. I think Argentina had the experience to push and press them, and they could have won the game.”

The Public Housing Community Fund, NYCHA and a coalition of design and community partners unveiled the renovated space on July 15, marking the completion of the second phase of Green Space Connections, the $3.2 million initiative that aims to reimagine public spaces at NYCHA developments across the city.

The project revitalized more than 7,200 square feet of outdoor space at the Marlboro Houses with new accessible walking paths, sensory play features, native landscaping and stormwater improvements designed to make the area more resilient to flooding.

One of the project’s most unique features is a continuous pathway constructed from approximately 450,000 recycled wine corks collected from restaurants and other partners through the Cork Collective. The material creates a soft, permeable walking surface while giving discarded corks a second life in a public space.

“The new cork pathway invites residents into a more welcoming environment while showcasing innovative, sustainable materials,” Alex Zablocki, executive director of Public Housing Community Fund, said in a statement. “Through Green Space Connections, resident feedback and priorities shape every stage of the design process, and this project reflects that commitment in every detail.”

The design team worked closely with Marlboro Houses residents throughout the planning process, facilitating community workshops to identify priorities for the space. Residents said the existing green areas were underused, difficult to navigate and frequently flooded during storms, prompting designers to incorporate climate-conscious landscaping and improved drainage into the final plans.

NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt said the project demonstrates what can be accomplished when residents help shape neighborhood improvements.

"Accessible green spaces are vital to the health and well-being of our communities, and we're proud to center residents in the design process while implementing innovative features and sustainable materials,” she said. “We are grateful to the Marlboro Houses Residents Association, the Public Housing Community Fund, and all of our partners for their collaboration in bringing this project to life."

Lead designers Maeghann Coleman and Ryan Swanson of Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary studio The Urban Conga said the project’s success stemmed from treating residents as collaborators rather than stakeholders.

“The Green Space Connections and Connected Communities programs created a process that genuinely valued community voices and welcomed residents as co-authors. Together, we were able to shape a space that reflects the people, stories, and aspirations of the community it was designed to serve,” they said.

The cork surface itself is the first installation of its kind in New York City. According to project partners, cork offers environmental benefits beyond recycling waste. It diverts the waste from landfills, is non-toxic, offers a 20-30 percent reduction of warm temperatures and is “infinitely recyclable.”

“When we launched the Cork Collective, our dream was to transform cork stoppers into sustainable, beautiful, durable surfaces for public spaces and activities in New York City," said David Rockwell, co-founder of Cork Collective and founder of the Rockwell Group.

The landscaping strategy also draws inspiration from the area’s historic marshland, using “native plant communities that improve stormwater performance, expand habitat, and demonstrate how vegetation can become critical green infrastructure.”

The Marlboro Houses project was the fourth and final installation in the second phase of Green Space Connections, following similar resident-led improvements at Roosevelt Houses in Brooklyn and Castle Hill Houses and Patterson Houses in the Bronx. The initiative is expected to continue this summer with new projects planned in Staten Island, Manhattan and Queens.

Firefighters arrived at 1952 Nostrand Ave. just after 6:40 a.m on July 18 to find the three-wood-framed home enveloped in thick smoke. The blaze had begun in the building's basement, per the FDNY, and spread up to the first floor and over to a neighboring building. 

Neighbor Richard Perez said he was walking to the nearby deli when he noticed smoke pouring out of a the building.

“I was going to go pick up a few things from the store when I saw the fire department racing around and moving with urgency, I turned around and there was a lot of smoke," he said.  It all went down quick.”

The 41st Battalion abandoned an aggressive interior attack in favor of a defensive operation from outside. Firefighters used four hose-lines and two ladders to knock down the main body of the fire, and the flames were brought under control by 8:30 a.m. 

Department of Buildings inspectors determined that the building had suffered structural damage and is out of code compliance, according to city records. It was not the building's first severe fire, records show. 1952 Nostrand Ave. has been under a full vacate order since a 2023 blaze that began in the basement and spread to the first floor, leaving windows and doors broken and the roof damaged. 

Saturday's fire also left debris and siding hanging over the walkway of the church next door at 1954 Nostrand Ave., per DOB documents, creating a risk for "falling debris and collapse." The church is also under a full vacate order. 

FDNY fire marshals will investigate the cause of the fire. 

1952 Nostrand Ave. has been abandoned for several years, and neighbors have repeatedly filed complaints about the home. In January 2025, one resident said the building had become "an eyesore, a health hazard," with trash building up in front. At the time, DOB inspectors noted that the building was properly sealed up and not a risk. 

In 2023, developers reportedly filed permits to construct a 6-story residential building on the site, though permits were approved earlier this year for a smaller 4-story project. 

Since opening in March 2024, Bar Lab Hospitality has built a reputable following due to its lively, party-themed atmosphere, Israeli DJs, and a menu of shareable Levantine dishes. Walking in, guests from either the Moxy Hotel or Mesiba customers fully get to experience Mesiba, Hebrew for “party” or “celebration”--embraced through their communal dining scene. A majority of the tables are round, encouraging conversation, with the lively Hebrew and Mediterranean music curating the atmosphere. Mesiba is a place where conversations are meant to be heartfelt and celebrated, whether it's a casual weeknight dinner, a birthday gathering, or a first-time visit in Williamsburg.

Mesiba proved not just a hot destination for the neighborhood, but also for travelers from around the world staying at the hotel. Guests discovered an inclusive restaurant adjacent to the lobby while walking down the hallway, decorated with beautiful Middle Eastern art. Mesiba really incorporates its own identity within the Moxy, distinguishing itself from the several other Moxys scattered around the city.​

“We really enjoy the concept of sharing,” Sierra Hickman, Events Food & Beverage manager for Bar Lab Hospitality, says. “We try to make sure we’re catering to the neighborhood and welcoming people over and over again by creating that familiar feel.”

That welcoming phenomenon is exhibited far beyond the menu. Regular return for familiar favorites, while servers and staff encourage new additions to explore each visit, creating an atmosphere and hospitality where guests feel remembered and connected.

One of Mesiba’s dining experiences was its family-style approach. Rather than individual entrees, the restaurant encourages the table to pass around the dishes, building conversations over the fresh-baked Frena bread, house-made hummus, grilled seafood, and signature dishes like the Braised Lamb Neck. The interactive presentations of the lamb neck—served with soft pancakes, sauces, and toppings that guests can assemble themselves — became one of the restaurant’s most memorable and talked-about dining experiences.​

One memorable visit includes Jack’s Dining Room from 2023, where he mentions Mesiba had the “best lamb dish in all of New York City, leaving you speechless.”

The Lamb neck dish really encourages diners to “walk them through the process,” Hickman says. “You get to put your own sauces on it, pick it apart, and I think it’s just a fun dish for guests to enjoy, an overall great experience.”

Mesiba earned a reputation for introducing diners to new Mediterranean cuisine without sacrificing familiarity. Classic comfort food was elevated with Middle Eastern ingredients like za’atar, sumac, and harissa, allowing first-time guests to step comfortably into the cuisine.​

“Part of our staple is making people comfortable with what they already know while introducing them to newer flavors,” Abby Kisling, server at Mesiba, says. “People know chicken, people know pasta, but adding spices like sumac or za’atar lets them experience something different while still feeling familiar.”

This philosophy guided the restaurant’s latest seasonal menu, which introduced vegan Matzo Ball soup, Keftedes Lamb Meatballs with Spicy Feta, a Red Beet Salad, a Wagyu Burger with Harissa Mayo, and its highly rated Lemon Chicken alongside longtime guest favorites.

“The goal was to keep the soul of Mesiba, but make it part of people's everyday dining rhythm,” said Bar Lab Hospitality cofounder Gabe Orta. “We’re seeing guests want options that feel both satisfying and approachable in the same meal—something that just works as well for a spontaneous weeknight as a planned night out.”

Perhaps Mesiba’s greatest achievement wasn’t a single dish; it was the sense of community it cultivated.​

Its dining experience transforms into party experiences like the World Cup matches and Juneteenth rooftop parties, reflecting both the diversity of the Williamsburg neighborhood and international travelers staying at the Moxy Hotel. Every visit can feel like an invitation to join the celebration, for cocktails at their beautiful modern bar, a family dinner, or simply a new place to introduce friends.​

“I think we embody our name, Mesiba, as a whole,” Kisling says. “We’re always trying to include different events; there is always something going on, and you can see how happy people are because they are always coming back.”​

For many, that’s exactly why Mesiba will be remembered for—not simply introducing Brooklyn to vibrant Eastern Mediterranean flavors, but creating a place where strangers became friends over shared plates, where hospitality felt deeply personal, and where every meal felt like a celebration.

The remaining space will transition to an events space and be available for private hire. Those who miss their favorite dishes may be able to request it for private events catering, subject to availability. 

Williamsburg won’t just lose another restaurant; it will say goodbye to a dining room built on the idea of the best meals shared together.

According to police sources, the 18-year-old victim was waiting for a downtown 2 train at the President St-Medgar Evers College station on the 2/5 line in Crown Heights just before midnight on July 20 when she was approached by the assailant.

Cops say the man attempted to snatch the woman’s purse, but the woman resisted, leading to a physical struggle. Seconds later, authorities said, the suspect pulled out a gun and opened fire, striking the victim in the chest.

Officers from the 71st Precinct and NYPD Transit District 32 responded to the incident. Police rushed the wounded victim to Kings County Hospital, where she was treated for her injury and is expected to survive. 

Meanwhile, the shooter — described by police sources as a man in his 20s with a slim build — fled the station on foot to the street. He was last seen wearing a red hat, a black mask and baggy clothing, and riding a two-wheeled vehicle in an unknown direction.

No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.

Shots rang out during a reported "crime in progress" at 9602 Glenwood Road just after 2:30 p.m., on July 17 police said. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a 25-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the back of the neck, and a 30-year-old woman who had been shot in the hand. 

Paramedics transported both victims to nearby Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center in stable condition. As of July 20, no arrests had been made, and an investigation was ongoing. Police did not have additional details about the incident or any suspected shooters.

So far this year, gun violence is down significantly in New York City, according to NYPD data, and the saw the lowest number of shootings on record through the first six months of the year. As of July 19, shootings across the city were down 7.3% year-to-date. Earlier this month, Mayor Zohran Mamdani released the city's Summer Safety Plan, a cross-department initiative aimed at reducing summertime violence, including shootings, and making New Yorkers safer. 

In the 69th Precinct, which includes Canarsie, shootings are down by one-third year-to-date, according to the latest NYPD data, with four shootings reported as of July 19 compared to six during the same period last year. Still, shootings in the Brooklyn South patrol have risen very slightly. A mass shooting on July 4th left eight people injured in Coney Island, one of several gun incidents of gun violence that erupted across the city over the holiday weekend. 

Hosted by the Shoot for the Stars Foundation, the annual Pop Smoke Day will return to Canarsie Park on July 20, with a free community festival featuring a parade, youth basketball championship, live entertainment and dozens of local organizations offering resources for Brooklyn families.

The celebration continues July 21, with the Pop Smoke Fashion Gala: DISRUPTION at the Brooklyn Museum, an evening showcasing fashion, music and culture while raising funds for the foundation's year-round community initiatives.

Now an annual tradition in the "Dior" singer's home neighborhood, Pop Smoke Day aims to celebrate the artist's life while connecting residents with educational, health and mentorship opportunities. The rapper died in 2020 during a home-invasion robbery at just 20 years old.

Festivities begin at 10 a.m. with a community parade stepping off from 80th Street and Flatlands Avenue before making its way to Canarsie Park, where the grounds will transform into a daylong festival.

The event will include the annual Pop Smoke Youth Basketball Championship, a community resource village, youth programming, family activities, games, food vendors, live entertainment, an open mic showcase for emerging artists, a community leader panel discussion, a Pop Smoke mural gathering, giveaways, exotic cars and appearances by special guests.

Organizers say the event is designed to connect neighborhood residents with organizations serving Brooklyn communities. Participating groups include Pop's Place, The Flossy Org, Brookdale Hospital, South Brooklyn Health, Wyckoff Hospital Teen Program, Brooklyn Public Library and more.

Throughout the day, attendees will be able to access information on healthcare, education, youth development and family services available in the borough.

"Shar always represented Brooklyn with pride," said Audrey "MahSmoke" Jackson, president of the Shoot for the Stars Foundation and the late rapper's mother. "Our responsibility is to ensure his legacy continues creating opportunities for young people and bringing the community together. Pop Smoke Day is about family, service, culture and reminding our youth that greatness begins right here at home."

The following evening will be the Pop Smoke Fashion Gala: DISRUPTION at the Brooklyn Museum. Presented by Black Smoke, the fashion brand founded by Audrey Jackson, the gala will debut the Black Smoke: DISRUPTION collection, inspired by Pop Smoke's blend of luxury fashion and elevated streetwear.

The event will also feature hip-hop fashion pioneer Karl Kani, whose influence helped shape streetwear culture and whose appearance organizers describe as a tribute to Pop Smoke's own impact on fashion. Additional designers scheduled to present collections include Maria Mootoo, Noni Styles, Scohe, Gangwani Collection and EMVĒ by Mackenzie Brown and Venicia Lamy.

"Black Smoke has always been about more than clothing," Jackson said. "It's about continuing Shar's vision by creating opportunities for emerging creatives, celebrating our culture, and inspiring the next generation to dream bigger than they ever imagined."

The black-tie gala will also feature SiriusXM’s Swaggy Sie as host, a live performance by Suckarie of reggae band Tribal Seeds, music by DJ AK and a performance from singer-songwriter Carlton Terrence Taylor. Guests can also expect a premium open bar, catered culinary experience and exclusive brand reveals throughout the evening.

Proceeds from both Pop Smoke Day and the Fashion Gala will benefit the Shoot for the Stars Foundation.

“I'm so grateful to the Parks employees who worked tirelessly to make these repairs and get Red Hook Pool back open,” said Department of Parks and Recreation commish Tricia Shimamura. “We know how important this pool is to the Red Hook community, and we appreciate everyone's support and patience as we worked to reopen the pool.”

On June 25, two days before the city’s public pools were set to open for the summer, workers discovered that the filtration plant at the Red Hook Pool was flooded, and its equipment damaged. 

At the time, the parks department said the pool would reopen at the end of July, and that new four motors and electrical equipment had been ordered. But repairs appear to have wrapped up ahead of schedule. 

The Olympic-sized pool will open at 11 a.m. on July 18. 

And, Shimamura added, Adult Lap Swim will return on Monday at 7 a.m. The program has been lacking in the city since 2019, but returned this summer for five days a week at two pools in every borough. 

Though the closure was shorter than expected, it left Red Hook residents without a nearby pool for the duration of two separate and brutal heat waves. 

The Parks Department turned the facility’s spray shower on and directed residents to head to the Douglass & DeGraw or Sunset Park pools instead, though locals have noted that the alternatives are too far for most families to access on hot summer days. 

Last year, the pool suffered a near-identical setback when a broken pipe was discovered shortly before opening day, but repairs dragged on for weeks. In the end, the pool finally reopened in mid-August, just three weeks before the end of the season.  

Public pools are inspected once at the end of the season and twice every summer, according to the parks department. Like many of the city’s swimming holes, the Red Hook Pool turned 90 years old this summer, and is set to undergo a $122 million renovation. 

Design for the project is underway, and construction is expected to begin in 2028 — though it has already been delayed several times, and was initially slated to begin in 2022.