The master plan for Brooklyn Bridge Park.The Pier 1 recreation area at the foot of Old Fulton Street - the fruit of decades of planning and controversy - was originally scheduled to open in late 2009, but was pushed back until January. Now, spring is the new target opening date, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said in his State of the Borough address, the Brooklyn Paper reported.

Several news organizations have attributed the continuing delays to an ongoing disagreement between city and state governments. Mayor Bloomberg has promised $55 million to fast-track construction at the Brooklyn Bridge Park, but wants New York City to have more control over the park.

Piers 1 and 6, which are scheduled to open this spring, would be the first segment of a 1.7-mile-long green space and condos along the Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO waterfront. Pier 6's delayed debut had been announced earlier.

The remainder of the Brooklyn Bridge Park project, comprising four other piers and costing around $350 million total, has been postponed until funding can be arranged.