Boom times in Brooklyn.

If you're looking for signs of the recession, don't look at downtown Brooklyn and the nearby DUMBO neighborhood.

With two mixed-use projects that were recently given a green light to move forward and a $10 million mall renovation, these two neighborhoods appear to be thriving in an economic climate marked by sluggishness.

"The neighborhood is looking for somebody to take the lead and be a catalyst for growth," said Jeffrey Brown, CEO of Jeffrey M. Brown Associates, the developer of the DUMBO project.

One mixed-use project will bring 248 apartments, 20,000 SF of retail space and a 45,000-SF YMCA to Atlantic and Court Streets in downtown Brooklyn. The other project, called Light Bridges, will feature between 135 to 170 luxury condominiums, four floors of commercial and retail space and 280 parking spaces in Brooklyn's DUMBO neighborhood, according to the developers on the projects.

Thor Equities is undertaking a $10 million renovation of the former Gallery at Metrotech. Thor recently acquired it and plans to change its name to "The Gallery at Fulton Street." Current tenants in the 475,000-SF mall include Toys 'R' Us, Foot Locker and William Barthman's Albee Jewelers but improvements will allow for the inclusion of another anchor tenant. Mall rents are expected to average $40 per SF, chairman and CEO Joseph Sitt announced.

"We're redefining urban retailing in downtown Brooklyn by giving the mall a new look and a new life," Sitt said. "Shoppers will be attracted to The Gallery's upscale atmosphere, while the mix of familiar and new tenants will offer a new sense of excitement and variety."

Two Trees Development in Brooklyn was selected by the city's Economic Development Corporation through an RFP process to develop the Downtown Brooklyn project.

Light Bridges, LLC, a partnership of Brooklyn-based Cara Development and Jeffrey M. Brown Associates, was granted a host of city approvals, including a zone change, necessary for the DUMBO project to move forward. Brown said the developers met with numerous neighborhood groups to gain input on the project before they sought regulatory approval for the project.

Developers expect to break ground on Light Bridges before the end of the year, he said.

"Light Bridges will be a hallmark project that defines the Brooklyn skyline for generations to come," Brown said. "Therefore, we realized the importance of creating a structure that emboldens the area with outstanding architecture in New York City."

The Atlantic/Court Street project has a total area of 509,000 SF and will rise 120 feet in two residential towers. The apartments will average 862 SF, ranging from studios to three bedrooms and will be rented at market rates. The YMCA will occupy the first and second floors and will contain a six-lane pool, gym with running track, fitness center and roof terrace. The building will also contain 188,000 SF of below-grade parking with 564 spaces. A four-story parking garage on the existing 47,000-SF site will be demolished to make room for the project.

With the proximity of "brownstone" neighborhoods like Brooklyn Heights and Park Slope, developers plan to target home furnishing stores like ABC Carpet and Pottery Barn to occupy the Court Street retail space.

Light Bridges will contain about 330,000 SF - with 20 residential floors above the commercial space - on a 35,000-SF site on the Brooklyn waterfront. ShoP/Sharples Holden Pasquarelli is designing the building, which bends and curves to meet zoning restrictions and take advantage of available light and views. It blends contextually with the surrounding neighborhood, satisfying requests of DUMBO neighbors who worked with developers and architects throughout the process.

"It's a unique example of how an architect and a developer can work well with the local community," said architect Greg Pasquarelli. "We met on numerous occasions with neighbors and we have implemented many of their suggestions."

Frederick Taylor Associates Architects P.C. is designing the mall improvements, which will include a new facade, a redesigned lobby with marble floors, new skylights, escalators and elevators.