There are spots, and then there are landmarks. In the New York City skateboarding scene, the Brooklyn Banks isn’t just a destination, it’s a living archive. Since the mid-1980s, this brick-laced underpass beneath the Brooklyn Bridge has been a refuge, proving ground, and second home to generations of skateboarders in a sport that went from a niche genre 40 years ago, to one with global popularity that’s even part of Olympic competition. After a 15-year shutdown for repairs, the Banks officially reopened on June 5, 2025, folding back into Gotham Park — but still carrying the grit that made it legendary. To gauge the city’s excitement, the AmNews spoke with OGs and rising talents alike: Eli Ritter, Dave Feldman, Elisa Martini, and — at the center of it all — Steve Rodriguez.
Rodriguez’s connection to the Banks began in the summer of 1985 when he turned the corner on Park Row and discovered “something we could own, something that belonged to us.” When Department of Transportation barriers went up in 2004, Rodriguez refused to watch the spot vanish. He formed a nonprofit, rallied local residents, negotiated with the Parks Department, and enlisted sponsors like Vans. Two decades later, the Banks are not only skateable again but a global pilgrimage. “I skated with guys from Germany and Japan just to ride this spot, ” he said. Middle-schooler-turned-veteran Eli Ritter first heard about the Banks through videos. When he saw it restored, he was skeptical and worried they’d “Fisher-Price” it, making it more superficial than functional, only to be thrilled by its authenticity.
“Steve’s a hero,” said Ritter. “What he’s done will benefit generations of skaters.” Similarly, 36-year-old Dave Feldman (known as Rocker Dave) grew up driving in from Westchester every weekend. “This place was an amusement park. To see it come back … shout out to Steve.”
He still marvels at the same tricks that inspired him: iconic skater Brian Wenning’s switch 360 flip, Cappalardo’s (he’s widely recognized by the singular name) big-rail ollie now etched into the spot’s enduring spirit. For Dave, another skater who goes by just one name, the Banks’ reopening means sharing its lore with his autistic son, Oliver.
“I only skated it a few times before it closed. Now he gets to live the legend,” he said. Dave added that skateboarding teaches “perseverance, resilience, and how to fail forward.” He thanks Steve for “this labor of love” and celebrates the community — his son’s coach, local shops, and families — forging memories at the Banks.
Elisa Martini’s excitement was palpable. She’d heard stories about Banks while learning to skate and “never got to ride it until now. ” She called Steve “the G.O.A.T.,” (greatest of all time) and praised his broader support of NYC skate culture, including events, opportunities, and relentless advocacy. To her, the Banks remain “a true street spot. Crusty bricks, imperfect surfaces — but real.” Across generations and backgrounds, the message is unanimous: the Banks is more than concrete and masonry. It’s perseverance incarnate. As Steve reminds us, “use this story as a model. Never give up. Things take time, but they happen. ” The Brooklyn Banks stand today as proof when a community cares enough, even the longest shutdown can’t keep the grind from returning.
“If It is not broken, don’t fix it” Mayor Adams all the way. He runs a well-oiled city.