Brooklyn's Progress
December 2001

Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) has entered into a contract with TreeLine Companies to market office space at 180 Livingston Street, in downtown Brooklyn, to nonprofit organizations, Joan Bartolomeo, BEDC President, has announced. "We got involved in marketing the space for this building because we think it will help nonprofits to be clustered in one location," Bartolomeo said. "At the same time, this project also serves our economic development mission to help revitalize downtown Brooklyn." Bartolomeo said that BEDC will be responsible for advising nonprofits citywide about the availability of the space in the building, its amenities, and the benefits of relocating to downtown Brooklyn. Ingram & Hebron Realty Corporation will be responsible for showing the space, offering the space, and negotiating for the letting of the space. The ground floor of the 250,000 square foot building, which previously housed the State Workers' Compensation Board, is rented but the rest of the building is vacant. Tenants, both nonprofit organizations and private companies, will have the option of choosing from office suites that range in size from 5,000 square feet to an entire floor, which is 41,800 square feet, or multiple floors. The price per square foot for a standard renovated suite is $22.50 per square foot on floors two through four and $24.50 per square foot for floors five and six. In addition, New York City Commercial Expansion Program Incentives may qualify business tenants for up to $15 per square foot in cost savings. The building will have a new lobby and upgraded heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. It is steps from 14 subways, 20 bus lines, seven court houses, 51 city, state, and federal agencies, and 75 restaurants. BEDC's agreement with TreeLine Companies is part of a broader initiative that the organization has undertaken to identify potential development opportunities in the commercial real estate market as it relates to economic development. Margaret Nelson, BEDC's real estate coordinator, is responsible for identifying properties in Brooklyn that can be redeveloped and become economic development anchors in their communities. In addition to the relationship with TreeLine Companies, BEDC has brought together a consortium of economic development representatives to assist in the growth of the biotech industry in Brooklyn. BEDC, a private, nonprofit organization, was established in 1979 to stimulate Brooklyn's economy and create job opportunities for the borough and its residents. BEDC has evolved into a multi-service, business-consulting agency, serving more than 1,000 clients annually and offering comprehensive economic development services. More information about the building at 180 Livingston Street is available by contacting Margaret Nelson at (718) 522-4600, Ext. 12, or at mnelson@bedc.org. More information about BEDC is available at www.bedc.org.