Brooklyn's Progress
June/July 2006

BY LETICIA THEODORE

The May 22 ribbon cutting for the new 52,000-square-foot Fairway Market in Red Hook wasn’t without its fanfare. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg stood with U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and Fairway Market President Howard Glickberg as he bit into a peach from the produce section for the cameras (this as he learned Fairway carries 800 types of cheese). There were clowns and other activities you don’t see on your regular weekend trip to a supermarket. There was even drama, a power outage and an employee who fainted. While the story of the day ran its course one man, Greg O’Connell, stood in the background, mostly away from the cameras as they clicked their way through stories of rebirth in Red Hook. The road to Fairway wasn’t quick or easy; it took vision, a philosophy and 5 years of perseverance.

When Mr. O’Connell began eyeing the Civil War era building at 480-500 Van Brunt Street in 2000, it was a crumbling, five-story, 230,000-square-foot building that had been 50% vacant for 20 years. He began mulling what was best for the building known as the Red Hook Stores Building and the surrounding community. He went to a tenant in one of his warehouses, David Snedin of Fairway – who was enjoying the success of the newly opened Harlem store. They did their research and came up with a plan that was presented to the Economic Development Corporation who, Mr. O’Connell said, was very supportive. 

“We were in the best position to develop the site,” explained Mr. O’Connell adding that he had already owned all of the surrounding property.

Because the plan involved city property and rezoning it had to go through the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP), which included pricey environmental reviews and a battery of sometimes uncomfortable public hearings with the City Planning Commission, City Council, community board and the borough president’s office. The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce a major supporter of the proposal often testified in favor of the project.

Mr. O’Connell modestly says there weren’t very many problems with the project. But, newspapers reported arguments and debates at both formal hearings and informal gatherings that focused on the need for affordable housing, manufacturing and industrial space, higher paying jobs in a neighborhood with an extraordinarily high unemployment rate, and the noise and traffic that would ruin the neighborhood.

“If you look back there were a small handful of opposers who couldn’t see past what they were opposed to,” said Mr. O’Connell. “Everything they predicted didn’t happen.”

In fact, he says, today surrounding bars and restaurant are reporting a 20% – 30 % increase in business and just two and a half blocks away residential units are under construction. About 170 of the estimated 200 created by the Fairway project have gone to Red Hook residents and the traffic mess that was predicted has not come to pass.

One of the challenges to the Red Hook Stores Building project was the construction of a cogeneration plant - which uses waste energy to create heat and electricity - which Mr. O’Connell had no experience with. His second big challenge was readapting the building to suit the needs of the incoming tenants.

“Because we wanted to preserve the history of the building it took a lot of energy to save the beams, arched windows [and other features]. We really took time out to readapt the building for occupants,” said Mr. O’Connell who admits the $28 million took more time to complete than he had anticipated.

The Red Hook Stores Building is now a mixed-use property. The second floor above the market houses Fairway’s kitchen and storage rooms the other half of the floor will hold a restaurant. Three non-profit organizations - Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, Martha Bowers Dance Group and Red Hook RISE which works with young people – occupy office space and the top three floors contain 45 units of live/work space.

“We’re hoping to attract people who work from home like architects and artists,” Mr. O’Connell explained. “People who like the air and light and want to live in Red Hook,” he added.

Fairway has cut a deal with New York Water Taxi for $5 weekend service to from lower Manhattan. The company also provides local senior centers with a bus to and from the market, they have partnered with City Harvest to support local soup kitchens.

“I had an opportunity. Opportunity happens when you have a chance to purchase buildings together where you have everything from housing to small businesses,” said Mr. O’Connell. “Small businesses are actually coming here,” he added

For the future or Red Hook he would like to see new restaurants opening, even more people staying in the neighborhood partnerships between the cruise terminal and surrounding businesses. He also supports the Industrial Business Zones because, he says they lend stability to the area and create a home for small businesses.

“Look at the whole picture,” advises Mr. O’Connell advises others entrepreneurs. “Have patience and know you’re committed for years to come.”

On a recent weekend the 300-car parking lot was nearly full and the crowds milled about the Market like it had always been there. A few blocks away an unassuming man in overalls walked down the street it was Greg O’Connell the one-time detective who knows first hand the road to Fairway wasn’t an easy one.