Steiner Studios, the well-known soundstage operator based at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, has been selected to establish a 500,000-square-foot film and television production hub in Sunset Park that will create thousands of jobs, the New York City Economic Development Corp. and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment announced on Thursday.
The project will be established within the Bush Terminal on the Sunset Park waterfront as part of the Made in New York Campus. It will include eight new soundstages, gut-renovations of two historic buildings and a new parking facility.
In addition, Steiner Studios will complete the adjacent Bush Terminal Piers Park, build a new playground designed with community input and contribute $25,000 annually to recreational programming in the park.
“TV production is a thriving industry in New York, and this project helps jump-start the city’s economic recovery and growth,” said Doug Steiner, chairman of Steiner Studios. “We’re beyond thrilled to have been selected, and to bring 2,200 high-paying jobs and opportunities to Bush Terminal.”
In advance of the announcement, NYCEDC signed a pre-development agreement with Steiner Studios for a long-term ground lease. In addition to the more than $320 million in private investment, the City of New York will contribute approximately $15 million towards site preparation work.
Those hired at the complex, when it’s finished, will include set builders, electricians, scenic artists, grips, prop masters, set dressers, hair and makeup artists and costume designers, among others.
This investment is also expected to create at least 1,800 temporary construction jobs and comes with a goal of a 25 percent participation rate by Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises. Steiner Studios will also be required to recruit qualified candidates from the local community through NYCEDC’s HireNYC program.
In addition to creating thousands of jobs and new public open space, this project will focus on investing in the local workforce and on advancing diversity and equity in the media and entertainment industry through the following investments:
- $50,000 per year to advance opportunities in media and entertainment to New Yorkers of color and women through the Mayor’s Office of Media Entertainment’s successful Made in NY Production Assistant and Made in NY Post-Production job-training programs, ensuring that an additional 25 to 30 participants a year gain work experience, training and connections to jobs.
- Creation of a new, offsite local program for high school students to train for jobs in the production industry, with up to $50,000 toward its establishment, plus $25,000 per year for resources and programming and school year internship opportunities.
- A summer internship program that will include two paid 10-week positions, focusing in the areas of stage operations, lighting and grip, and production facilities management. These will be filled through local community organizations.
- $250,000 over 10 years to a nonprofit organization supporting gender equity, diversity and inclusion in the New York City film and television production industry.
- Providing free office or classroom space for one or more nonprofits that advance diversity and inclusion in the production industry.
“This production hub will expand diversity and inclusion in the film and television industry, while generating local economic activity, opportunity and job creation in south Brooklyn,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-Brooklyn). “I’m particularly pleased that Steiner Studios has been selected to build the soundstages and production facilities. Once completed, this project will also provide educational and career pathways in Sunset Park through apprenticeship, internships and production assistant programs.”
“Businesses are not only here to stay, they are doubling down on building their future right here in New York City,” said James Patchett, president and CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation.
The Made in New York Campus at Bush Terminal, including garment manufacturing, film/TV/media production and other light manufacturing facilities, was announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2017. Construction was temporarily paused due to COVID-19 but has resumed as of July 2020.
One Response
And Industry City wouldn’t bring jobs and diversity to south Brooklyn, Nydia?