RED HOOK—The vote on a contentious plan to redevelop the 122-acre Brooklyn Marine Terminal site on the west Brooklyn waterfront, which had been scheduled for Thursday, has been postponed for a week, according to a group email from Simone Kanter, senior advisor to BMT Task Force Chair Rep. Dan Goldman — a Democrat who represents the area — and confirmed on Thursday by Goldman’s office.
The vote by the 28-member Brooklyn Marine Terminal Task Force has been rescheduled for Thursday, July 24 at 3:30 p.m.
In the recently-revised BMT plan, 3,800 housing units would be located in “BMT North,” and another 2,200 units would be built at the Atlantic Basin in Red Hook. Housing proposed for the current UPS site has been eliminated. Graphic: NYCEDC
Councilmember Alexa Avilés and state Sen. Andrew Gounardes are vice chairs of the BMT Task Force.
Goldman’s office said the Congressmember was required to remain in Washington, D.C. on Thursday to vote against a Republican bill clawing back $9 billion in previously-approved funds for public broadcasting and foreign aid.
The BMT Task Force is chaired by Rep. Dan Goldman, with Councilmember Alexa Avilés and state Sen. Andrew Gounardes as vice chairs. Photo: NYCEDC
This is the fourth time the voteon the huge and transformativeBMT Vision Planhas been postponed. The plan, strongly backed by the New York City Economic Development Corporation,has run into oppositionfrom numerous Task Force members and local residents, including Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.
NYC EDC is proposing a modernized port and a mixed-used development with thousands of new homes. Backers, including Gounardes, say abandoning the process now would delay port modernization and the construction of much-needed affordable housing.
Cranes at Atlantic Basin within the Brooklyn Marine Terminal site. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle
While aspects of the proposal have been improved through public engagement, critics say the planning process lacks transparency and genuine community input, is designed to favor real estate development over the site’s maritime uses, and is being rushed through before comprehensive traffic and infrastructure studies have been carried out.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
