Brooklyn in 2012: A Look Back at the Borough Before Hurricane Sandy
Editor’s Note: This archive-style article looks back at Brooklyn in mid-2012, before Hurricane Sandy struck New York City later that year. It reflects the borough’s cultural growth, neighborhood change, community life, and local events from that period.
In 2012, Brooklyn was already becoming one of New York City’s most recognized centers of culture, creativity, food, music, real estate, and neighborhood change. From Williamsburg and DUMBO to Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Brighton Beach, Coney Island, and Sheepshead Bay, the borough was gaining national attention while still holding on to its strong local identity.
Brooklyn Leadership in 2012
In 2012, the Brooklyn Borough President was Marty Markowitz. He served as Brooklyn Borough President from 2002 through 2013 and was widely known as one of the borough’s most energetic public promoters during a period of major growth and transformation.
The Brooklyn Renaissance
By 2012, Brooklyn had already established itself as a dynamic and diverse borough. Neighborhoods such as Williamsburg, DUMBO, Park Slope, and Brooklyn Heights were known for historic brownstones, new residential development, art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and a growing creative economy.
This period helped shape Brooklyn’s modern identity: part historic borough, part cultural capital, part destination for artists, families, small businesses, immigrants, and young professionals.
Arts, Culture and Music
Brooklyn’s artistic and cultural scene was flourishing in 2012. Institutions such as the Brooklyn Museum and the Brooklyn Academy of Music continued to attract audiences from across New York City, while smaller galleries, music venues, and independent cultural spaces helped define the borough’s creative reputation.
Brooklyn’s music scene, underground events, public festivals, and neighborhood-based arts communities all contributed to the borough’s growing national profile.
Video: The 36th Annual Brighton Jubilee took place on August 26, 2012, highlighting the local business, immigrant, and community life of Brighton Beach.
Food, Markets and Neighborhood Life
Brooklyn’s food scene was also expanding in 2012. The borough was becoming known for a mix of long-established ethnic restaurants, new farm-to-table dining, food markets, coffee shops, bakeries, and craft breweries.
Markets such as Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea helped make Brooklyn a destination for food lovers, while neighborhoods like Brighton Beach, Bensonhurst, Bay Ridge, Williamsburg, and Crown Heights continued to reflect the borough’s immigrant and working-class roots.
Community Events and Festivals
Throughout 2012, Brooklyn hosted local festivals and community events that brought residents and visitors together. Events such as the Coney Island Mermaid Parade, Brighton Jubilee, Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, and DUMBO Arts Festival reflected the borough’s cultural diversity and public life.
Urban Development and Change
Brooklyn’s physical landscape continued to change in 2012. Former industrial areas along the waterfront, especially in Williamsburg and DUMBO, were being transformed into residential, commercial, and creative spaces. Luxury housing, adaptive reuse of older buildings, new retail corridors, and rising rents became part of the larger conversation about Brooklyn’s future.
For many residents, 2012 represented both opportunity and concern: Brooklyn was becoming more visible and more valuable, but also more expensive and more contested.
Before Hurricane Sandy
This page reflects Brooklyn before Hurricane Sandy, which later struck New York City in October 2012 and deeply affected waterfront communities, including parts of southern Brooklyn. A separate year-end review can cover Sandy, the opening of Barclays Center, and other major events from the full year.
Coming next: Brooklyn 2012 Year in Review
Brooklyn Map
Key Facts
- Location: Brooklyn, New York
- Year: 2012
- Brooklyn Borough President: Marty Markowitz
- Focus: Culture, neighborhoods, community events, food, arts, and urban change
- Note: This page reflects Brooklyn before Hurricane Sandy later in 2012
Q&A
Q: Who was Brooklyn Borough President in 2012?
A: Marty Markowitz was Brooklyn Borough President in 2012.
Q: What was Brooklyn known for in 2012?
A: Brooklyn was known for its growing arts scene, food culture, neighborhood change, real estate development, and strong community identity.
Q: Was this before Hurricane Sandy?
A: Yes. This article reflects Brooklyn in mid-2012, before Hurricane Sandy struck New York City in October 2012.
