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Brooklyn's Progress
April 2001 The Economic Development Committee convened recently and the state of the Brooklyn waterfront was the topic of conversation. Roberta Weisbrod, of Partnership for Sustainable Ports, pointed out that the Brooklyn waterfront is important in three ways. “It’s part of the port, part of potential waterborne transportation networks and the best part of Brooklyn neighborhoods,” she said. “The Port Authority and the Federal government are investing billions of dollars in expanding and improving the port. There are several planning efforts for ferries, water taxis, freight ferries and generally improving transit on the Brooklyn waterfront. And the Brooklyn waterfront neighborhoods are attracting enormous interest and investment.” In an effort to establish common agenda items that the Brooklyn Chamber can bring to the Mayoral race, Brooklyn Borough President race and to Federal, State and city legislators, each organization was invited to make a brief presentation about what’s new and what’s needed. Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation – Bill Schockney What's New: Being planned for the Sunset Park waterfront: · Waterfront Park in front of Bush Terminal · Port Redevelopment · Cross harbor floatbridge at 65th St Underway is: · EDC’s reconstruction of 1st Avenue, including straightening out the railroad to get rid of S curve – for efficient access to the marine terminal. A problem being anticipated is space for the loading docks will be lost. · EDC is negotiating with potential operator for 65th St railyards – The Anacostia and Pacific –Canadian Pacific Railroad team. Needs · Energy costs have to be controlled. They went up 100-300% since last spring · There is no room to expand · Rents are rising · Businesses need workers South Brooklyn Local Development Corporation – Bette Stoltz What's Needed: Dealing with the marine borer and DEC · Marine borer destruction of pilings known for at least the 8 years in NY Times · City is building and rebuilding some piers as a result of borer destruction · Despite commitment on part of the state (DOS) for revitalization of the waterfront, no support for intervention on marine borer issue; and no support for non-wood substitutes (a plastic dock at Tiffany St was charred when hit by lightening – and agencies shy to proceed even with modifications). · At Harbor Estuary Plan meeting March 1, lot of support for issue of dealing with marine borers and rebuilding structures Red Hook – Pier 41 Associates -- Greg O’Connell What's New: · Revitalization of Red Hook Stores, Beard St waterfront, Pier 41 ---is now a place for economic growth, education and cultural activities · There are now sixty businesses employing hundreds of workers, mostly blue collar · Thirty businesses are maritime related · Tens of thousands of visitors per year · Interest by ferry operators and water taxis · Negotiation with Tug boats Assoc. for space to tie up -- would be synergy with Fairway (spend $300-600/weekly for provisions); waterfront attraction; tug museum possible What's Needed: (1) Regulatory certainty/streamlining for waterfront structure permitting · Working on creating needed waterfront walkway access from Pier 41 to Beard Street (1/2 mile) -- for three years -- Difficulty in obtaining permits for rebuilding bulkheads and rebuilding pier. · DEC wants cut back on walkway – would impede trolley; impedes access to Lehigh Barge (Waterfront museum). DEC wants cut back on pier rebuilding from 600 ft to 200 ft. (2) Zoning stability · Maintaining working waterfront M zoning is needed. There is 5% vacancy rate on waterfront; 15 calls a week for space; existing businesses need to expand; businesses need stability can’t have zoning change. (How can it be called zoning if variances continuously granted, even after illegal actions) (3) Create incentives for waterfront access · Waterfront access has elements of disincentive – increased liability, taxes, and maintenance · Public policy should help shift balance Carolyn Konheim – Konheim and Ketchum What’s Needed: · Brooklyn needs a common agenda that resolves issues like allocation of waterfront for public access, residential development, port expansion, and industrial expansion. · Needed for entire borough, which is being planned piecemeal by numerous agencies more than a dozen mostly State studies, but with no overarching vision of Brooklyn. Brooklyn needs a strategic plan, developed by a Partnership of the BP, the Chamber and the Borough Board that results in a clear agenda for action for Brooklyn delegation. · First step is to create on-line maps and database that integrates information from vast array of agencies so that businesses, the public, and the agencies know what each other is doing. Ed Towns has asked entire Brooklyn delegation for co-sponsorship of $600,000 appropriation to create practical Brooklyn data website. Needs matching funds from City Council ($150,000) and State Legislature ($100,000). Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation – Roberta Weisbrod presenting for Jeanne Di Lascio With reactivation of the flushing tunnel, bad smell is gone and life has returned to the canal – fish, birds, shellfish and lots of people. Our goal is to have full public access along the canal, linear walkway, water clean enough to safely boat in, parks, residences and businesses. What's New: · GCCDC got funding for and commissioned a Phase I study, now complete, of the bulkheads along the entire length of the canal. The bulkheads are needed to support the walkway and to prevent more sediment from entering the canal. The study gave us a rough estimate on the extent of repair needed for stabilizing the land – required for creating the walkway and to allow dredging. · Worked for funding for the Corps to prepare a feasibility study, directed toward dredging the contaminated sediment from the canal; the DEP study in Gowanus to abate the combined sewer overflows (CSOs) is the local match. GCCDC is coordinating with both agencies. · Worked for City Council funding for the Parks Department to create parks along some of the street ends along the canal. · We are coordinating with the Corps, DEP, and the Parks Department and beginning the development of a community based comprehensive plan. (Kick off meeting planned for mid-late April) What’s needed: · Continued Corps funding for the dredging · Advancement of support for comprehensive planning · Funding for bulkheads – even a revolving loan fund · Continued funding for correcting CSOs COMMON THEMES AND A SUGGESTED ACTION AGENDA 1. Bulkheads and other in-water structures Issues: · In-water wooden (and other) bulkhead and other structures are rapidly degrading; · The regulatory process for replacement is long, costly, difficult and extremely uncertain as to outcome; · Replacement costs are high; and options for replacement by plastic lumber have not been accepted by regulatory agencies. Possible Actions: · Brooklyn Chamber to meet with DEC, learn and perhaps influence regulatory policy · Legislation for state-wide or marine district-wide revolving fund for bulkhead replacement. Fund would give loans with zero interest, long term payback. · Legislation requiring a state agency to set certification standards for engineered lumber for bulkheads and other in-water structures. (Note: Office of General Services has the authority to set certification standards for materials that it procures). · Have Brooklyn delegation obtain USEDA funding for (bulkhead repair associated-) waterfront access · Tap into State Technology Fund for pilot projects for bulkhead replacement 2. Zoning Issues: · Tremendous pressure on Manufacturing (M1-3) zoning; variances readily granted. · No overall plan for re-zoning Possible Actions: · Members continue to oversee/guide loft law revisions. · Encourage Building Department to enforce zoning and exercise oversight · Exhort City Planning/Borough Hall to create zoning master plan · Create model legislation for passage by City Council 3. Dredging Issue: · Cost of dredging and disposal · Lack of State permitted disposal options Actions: · Support Federal funding for environmental restoration dredging in the Gowanus |
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