Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to unveil a proposal that would close the four‑lane stretch linking Grand Army Plaza to Prospect Park. The move would ban cars from the southern edge of the oval, from Union Street to Eastern Parkway, and restore the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch as a park entrance. Residents and civic groups have pressed for the change for many decades.

The redesign adds roughly three‑quarters of an acre—about a 42 % expansion—to the 14‑acre plaza and trims pedestrian‑vehicle crossings from 39 to 24. Upgraded bike lanes and wider sidewalks aim to curb the 219 injuries recorded between 2021 and 2025. Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn expects smoother flow for the B41 bus, which serves over 27,000 riders daily.

Funding remains uncertain as the city confronts a $5.4 billion deficit for the next 15 months. While a timeline and cost estimate have not been set, the Department of Transportation will hold public workshops later this month to gauge support. If approved, the car‑free corridor could boost foot traffic to nearby vendors and elevate property values in Park Slope and Prospect Heights.