Brooklyn's Progress
April/May 2007

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce will host its 2007 Brooklyn Building Awards on Wednesday, July 18, at Stage 6 at Steiner Studios in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The Chamber will honor Andrew Kimball, president and chief executive officer of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC), and Joshua Muss, principal of Muss Development LLC at this year’s event.

The Building Brooklyn Awards (BBA) recognizes two individuals (one from the public sector and the other from the private sector), and various new construction and renovation projects that have made significant contributions toward the economic and community development of Brooklyn. The BBA judging committee, made up of architects, planners, government officials, economic development experts and business leaders, will convene in April to select the 2007 winners from the nominated projects.

Mr. Kimball is being recognized for his strategic vision to further develop the Brooklyn Navy Yard, including a plan to increase usable space by 10% over the next three years and create 800 new manufacturing jobs.

"This award honors not only the extraordinary story of industrial expansion in the Brooklyn Navy Yard but the importance of industrial development throughout the borough of Brooklyn,” says public sector honoree Andrew Kimball. “All of us involved in industrial development appreciate and applaud the Brooklyn Chamber's critical advocacy for maintaining and strengthening the diversity of New York City's job base."

The Building Brooklyn Awards salute a wide range of project types, budgets and neighborhoods. By presenting them at a special event hosted at the Brooklyn Navy Yard at Steiner Studios – the 2005 BBA winner in the “Industrial” category – the Chamber shines a spotlight on important design and construction achievements here in Brooklyn.

“Not too many years ago, the word ‘Brooklyn’ was greeted with derision, if not fear,” said private sector honoree Joshua Muss. “It is no coincidence that the re-emergence of Brooklyn as a world class destination to visit, and a preferred place within which to live and do business, comes during an era of construction and renewal by a new generation of builders and developers."

Mr. Muss’ exceptional accomplishments and contributions to Brooklyn real estate will be celebrated at the event, most notably, the recent expansion of the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, which added 280 guest rooms. Now with a total of 660 rooms, the property is one of the largest hotels in New York City.

The Building Brooklyn Awards ceremony and cocktail reception have attracted more than 350 attendees in years past, and is the Chamber’s signature event showcasing Brooklyn real estate and development projects. Attendees include a cross-section of real estate industry professionals – brokers, developers, banking & finance, architecture & design, small business development, construction, government and other related industries. The event will also feature a limited number of trade tables so companies can promote their products and services.

To learn more about this year’s Building Brooklyn Awards, sponsorships and ticket information visit the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce’s Web site at http://www.ibrooklyn.com/ or call Cheryl Gladstone, director of real estate & development at 718-875-1000 ext. 142.