Brooklyn 2012 Year in Review: Barclays Center, Hurricane Sandy and a Borough in Transition
Year in Review: 2012 was a turning-point year for Brooklyn. The borough saw major cultural growth, new development, the opening of Barclays Center, continued neighborhood change — and then the shock of Hurricane Sandy, which damaged waterfront communities across New York City.
This archive page looks back at Brooklyn in 2012 as a full year, connecting local culture, politics, real estate, sports, transportation, community life, and the storm that changed the conversation about New York’s waterfront.
Brooklyn Leadership in 2012
In 2012, the Brooklyn Borough President was Marty Markowitz, who served in that role from 2002 through 2013. Markowitz was widely known for promoting Brooklyn’s growth, culture, tourism, neighborhoods, and economic development during a period when the borough’s image changed dramatically.
Barclays Center Opens in Brooklyn
One of Brooklyn’s biggest 2012 milestones was the opening of Barclays Center on September 28, 2012. The arena brought major sports and entertainment programming to the borough and became the new home of the Brooklyn Nets.
The opening marked a major moment for Downtown Brooklyn and the Atlantic Avenue area. It also intensified long-running debates about development, traffic, public subsidies, eminent domain, housing, and the future of nearby neighborhoods.
Brooklyn Nets and a New Sports Era
With Barclays Center open, the former New Jersey Nets became the Brooklyn Nets, giving the borough its first major professional sports team in decades. The arena quickly became a symbol of Brooklyn’s national visibility and its growing role in entertainment, sports, and pop culture.
Neighborhood Change and Development
In 2012, Brooklyn’s neighborhoods were changing rapidly. Williamsburg, DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, and other areas continued to attract new residents, businesses, restaurants, galleries, and development projects.
At the same time, many longtime residents were concerned about rising rents, displacement, traffic, affordability, and the loss of older neighborhood character. Brooklyn’s growth was celebrated by some and questioned by others.
Culture, Food and Community Life
Brooklyn’s cultural reputation continued to grow in 2012. The borough was known for its food markets, independent music venues, art galleries, immigrant businesses, community festivals, and local traditions.
Events such as the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, Brighton Jubilee, Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, and DUMBO Arts Festival reflected the borough’s mix of old and new Brooklyn — from historic communities to newer creative scenes.
Brighton Beach and Southern Brooklyn
Southern Brooklyn remained a major center of immigrant life in 2012, including Russian-speaking, Ukrainian, Jewish, and other communities. Brighton Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Gravesend, Bensonhurst, and Coney Island were important parts of Brooklyn’s cultural and small-business landscape.
The 36th Annual Brighton Jubilee, held on August 26, 2012, was one example of the local community events that helped define Brooklyn outside of the national spotlight.
Hurricane Sandy Hits New York City
On October 29, 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit New York City and caused severe damage across the region. The storm damaged homes, knocked out power, disrupted transportation, and exposed the vulnerability of waterfront neighborhoods.
Brooklyn’s coastal communities were among the areas affected, including Coney Island, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Sheepshead Bay, Gerritsen Beach, Red Hook, and other low-lying waterfront neighborhoods.
Transportation and Infrastructure Disruption
Hurricane Sandy also created major transportation disruption across New York City. Subway tunnels, roads, bridges, power systems, and public services were affected, forcing residents and businesses to deal with emergency conditions and long recovery efforts.
The storm later became a defining event in discussions about climate resilience, coastal protection, emergency planning, infrastructure investment, and the future of New York City’s waterfront.
Brooklyn at the End of 2012
By the end of 2012, Brooklyn stood at a crossroads. The borough had gained a new arena, a new NBA identity, growing national attention, and a booming cultural reputation. But it also faced serious questions about affordability, development, inequality, waterfront safety, and disaster recovery.
Looking back, 2012 was not just another year in Brooklyn history. It was a year that showed both the borough’s momentum and its vulnerability.
Key Brooklyn 2012 Timeline
- August 26, 2012: The 36th Annual Brighton Jubilee took place in Brighton Beach.
- September 28, 2012: Barclays Center opened in Brooklyn.
- Fall 2012: The Brooklyn Nets began a new era connected to the borough.
- October 29, 2012: Hurricane Sandy hit New York City.
- Late 2012: Brooklyn communities began recovery and rebuilding after the storm.
Key Facts
- Year: 2012
- Borough: Brooklyn, New York
- Brooklyn Borough President: Marty Markowitz
- Major opening: Barclays Center
- Major crisis: Hurricane Sandy
- Main themes: development, culture, sports, community, resilience, and recovery
Q&A
Q: Who was Brooklyn Borough President in 2012?
A: Marty Markowitz was Brooklyn Borough President in 2012.
Q: When did Barclays Center open?
A: Barclays Center opened in Brooklyn on September 28, 2012.
Q: Did Hurricane Sandy affect Brooklyn?
A: Yes. Hurricane Sandy affected several Brooklyn waterfront communities, especially low-lying coastal areas.
Q: Why was 2012 important for Brooklyn?
A: 2012 brought major development, cultural visibility, the opening of Barclays Center, the Brooklyn Nets era, and the impact of Hurricane Sandy.
Related Brooklyn Archive
See also: Brooklyn in 2012: A Look Back at the Borough Before Hurricane Sandy
