Brooklyn Navy Yard, Bush Terminal Complex receive additional funds for construction projects

August 21, 2012 Compiled by Linda Collins Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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The Empire State Development Board of Directors has approved funding for two construction projects in Brooklyn — the Bush Terminal Industrial Complex in Sunset Park, which was awarded $10 million; and the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Green Manufacturing Center, which received $5 million.

The goal of the grants, which totalled $23.9 million to entities across the state, are to create new jobs and retain existing ones, according to Kenneth Adams, ESD president, CEO and commissioner.

“The state’s support for these projects demonstrates that we are meeting our commitment to enhance and advance key businesses that will create jobs and generate economic opportunity across New York,” said Adams. “The diversity of these investments mirrors New York’s greatest strength – the diversity of our business entities and workforce – making our state more competitive in the national and global economy. The path to prosperity starts with a first step of support for key New York businesses like those we are funding today.”

Bush Terminal Complex

Bush Terminal, said to be a sanctuary for industrial businesses that have been forced out of higher-priced locations in Manhattan, Queens and other parts of Brooklyn, will use its grant to offset a portion of the cost of the demolition of obsolete buildings, infrastructure upgrades and related environmental cleanup.

Constructed on the waterfront at the turn of the 20th century by Irving T. Bush, Bush Terminal is currently owned by the city and operated by the city’s Economic Development Corp., both of which are committed to ensuring it remain a vibrant hub of industrial activity.

The project involves the demolition of Buildings 39/40 and 45 and infrastructure and utility upgrades to make the site shovel-ready for the construction of a liquid grease handling facility by TEI.

The scope of work also includes: water service rehabilitation. new gas service, storm drainage system rehabilitation, excavation of existing pavement and installation of new roadways; and relocation of the railroad connection, among others.

Upon completion of shovel-ready activities, TEI will construct a facility of up to 60,000 square feet.

The city will continue to own the utilities and roads and the EDC will oversee the project and operate Bush Terminal. The total project cost is $16,293,251.

Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Green Mfg Center

This project by the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp. involves the redevelopment of Buildings 28, 123 and 128 into a 215,000-square-foot multi-tenanted industrial facility.

The corporation plans to adaptively reuse the steel frames and concrete foundations of these buildings, which are three separately constructed but connected turn-of-the-century former U.S. Navy machine shops.

Designs are completed and anticipates that construction will begin during the third quarter of 2012.

As part of its commitment to sustainable growth, it aims to achieve a LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The total project cost of the new center is $60,382,556. It will create at least 300 new jobs.

Currently, the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s 4.5 million square feet of leaseable space, spread over 40 buildings, is 99 percent occupied. There are more than 275 tenants and approximately 6,000 employees in a broad range of businesses.