Posted on: September 25, 2024 03:40 PM

Share : Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp

NYCEDC announces Brooklyn marine terminal task force appointees

New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today announced the full membership of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal Task Force. The creation of the task force was announced in May, when Mayor Adams, along with Governor Hochul, NYCEDC, and the Port Authority announced an agreement that will enable the City to transform the Brooklyn Marine Terminal into a modern 21-st century maritime port and mixed-use community. The task force is comprised of a wide range of experts including federal, state, and local elected officials, the local community board, local resident organizations, maritime and industrial stakeholders, unions, planning and environmental justice organizations, and representatives of the local business community.

The task force will inform the reinvestment and development of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal by engaging with community members and stakeholders to better understand the opportunities, challenges, and ideas associated with the 122-acre site. Through this ongoing process, the task force aims to build a shared vision across stakeholders, community members, and elected officials. The full task force will convene for the first time next week.

The task force is charged with approving the illustrative vision plan, which will include reinvestment for a modernized maritime port and a vibrant mixed-use community, for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal in early 2025. After which, the City and State will work closely with the task force and other stakeholders to advance this project through a General Project Plan (GPP)—a New York State process and set of requirements that includes a neighborhood condition study and an environmental review scoping that will commence in Spring 2025.

NYCEDC kicked off a series of community engagement events in August starting with a public information webinar on August 12th and will hold the first public workshop on September 28th at the Miccio Center in Red Hook. Community input will be a vital part of the master planning process as it provides NYCEDC with critical feedback at each phase of the project. An initial public survey is now live. Additionally, NYCEDC has selected renowned consulting firm Buro Happold to spearhead the master plan. WXY is leading the engagement process.

The task force’s 28 members include and are led by a Chair and two Vice Chairs. The full list of task force members includes:

• Representative Dan Goldman (Chair)
• Council Member Alexa Aviles (Vice Chair)
• State Senator Andrew Gounardes (Vice Chair)
• Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
• Senator Chuck Schumer
• Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso
• Council Member Shahana Hanif
• Assembly Member Charles Fall
• Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes
• Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon
• Tom Conoscenti, Assistant Secretary for Economic Development to the Governor (Governor Appointee)
• Nate Bliss, Chief of Staff, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce (Mayor Appointee)
• Randy Peers, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
• Mike Racioppo, Brooklyn Community Board 6
• Amanda Sue Nichols, Cobble Hill Association
• Ben Fuller-Googins, Carroll Gardens Association
• Hank Gutman, Former Commissioner, NYC Department of Transportation
• Frank Agosta, International Long Shoreman Association
• Jim Tampakis, Marine Shipping Parts
• Stephen Lyman, Maritime Association of NYNJ
• Eddie Bautista, NYC Environmental Justice Alliance
• John Nardi, Shipping Association of NYNJ
• Jesse Solomon, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation
• Carly Baker-Rice, Red Hook Business Alliance
• Frances Brown, Red Hook Houses East Tenants Association
• Karen Blondel, Red Hook Houses West Tenants Association
• Tiffany-Ann Taylor, Regional Plan Association
• Michelle De La Uz, Fifth Avenue Committee

The task force will engage a wide range of stakeholders—including local elected officials, unions, waterfront stakeholders, Brooklyn businesses, workforce development, the adjacent communities, and the maritime industry—to inform a shared vision for the future of this vital facility and district. NYCEDC has engaged esteemed community engagement and urban design firm WXY to support this work, as well as the overall community engagement process.

To help guide the Brooklyn Marine Terminal task force, provide key insights, and ensure additional community and organizational participation, NYCEDC is facilitating the creation of six advisory groups. Each of these groups represents a specific interest in the future of the terminal:

• Environmental Justice/Resilience/Waterfront
• Maritime/Industrial/Workforce Development/Small and Local Businesses 
• Transportation/Mobility/Open Space
• Community Development & Housing
• NYCHA and NYCHA Youth
• Brooklyn Marine Tenants and Port Operators

(From NYC EDC)