Brooklyn's Progress
February/March 2008

The following is testimony that Carl Hum, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, submitted to the public comment call by the National Guard. In order for the National Guard to transfer the deed of the property over to the city, a public review process must take place. A public hearing was held on Dec. 11. 2007.

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (the "Chamber") appreciates this opportunity to comment on the proposed transfer of property known as Admiral's Row at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in the City of New York. The Chamber is a business advocacy and economic development organization representing 1,500 Members from virtually every business sector across the borough. We support the Brooklyn Navy Yard's effort to redevelop Admiral's Row to create much-needed industrial and retail space, and local jobs.

Over the past few years, Brooklyn's supply of usable industrial space has dwindled as maintenance and re-adaptation costs have risen to prohibitive levels. As a result, many industrial businesses are finding it harder to stay in the borough. The value, jobs and business-to-business activity this sector brings to the borough and the larger city cannot be overstated – any opportunity to create new industrial space must be welcomed and encouraged. The Chamber is particularly excited about the Brooklyn Navy Yard's ambitious plans to create 1.7 million square feet of new space over the next few years. I believe the redevelopment of Admiral's Row is pivotal to the success of this plan.

Additionally, the proposed re-use of Admiral's Row to create a large-format supermarket not only comports with the local community's vocal desire to access fresh produce and groceries at affordable prices, it also brings much-needed retail operations to the borough. Last year, in our annual report of key economic trends, the 2006 Brooklyn Labor Market Review found that the borough is "under-retailed" in comparison to national norms and similar cities. The creation of a supermarket is a major step in the direction toward remedying that deficiency.

As it stands, Admiral's Row is underused, derelict and uncared for, literally shut off from the rest of the community and larger borough. This is a rare chance to finally open the space for business growth and community-enrichment opportunities.

Brooklyn's economy has grown steadily over the past few years and the borough has consistently added jobs; Brooklyn now boasts over 450,000 jobs. Innovative, out-of-the-box thinking and job-creation strategies such as the Brooklyn Navy Yard's vision for Admiral's Row have been key contributors to the borough's robust economy. It would be a lost opportunity for the borough and its 2.5 million residents if the Brooklyn Navy Yard were unable to fulfill its vision. Accordingly, the Chamber respectfully urges the National Guard to transfer Admiral's Row to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.