Large-Scale Development Sites and Projects in Brooklyn
(Adapted from BEDC’s 2002 CEDS report, Appendix A)

1. Advanced Biotechnology Incubator at SUNY Downstate
SUNY Downstate is establishing an Advanced Biotechnology Incubator Facility near its East Flatbush campus. The incubator will help Brooklyn to capitalize on the jobs and economic development potential of the biomedical discoveries made at SUNY-Downstate, where more than 100 new technological breakthroughs have been made. The incubator will help start-up firms in biotechnology, especially those developed from discoveries made in Brooklyn, to locate in Brooklyn. The incubator, funded to date by state, city and federal grants, will encompass 50,000 square feet and house up to 30 tenants. The first phase of the project, a three-story 11,000 square foot building with modular wet/dry lab/office space, is complete and tenants have begun leasing. The second phase, an additional 13,000 square feet of modular space will be finished in summer 2004. Expected completion of the final phase is 2005. Last updated 5/04

For additional information visit their website: http://incubator.downstate.edu/incubator.htm

2. Atlantic Terminal
Atlantic Terminal, a shopping center and office tower development by Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC), is scheduled to open July 2004. The project is located directly above the newly rehabilitated Long Island Railroad (LIRR) Terminal. It will have internal access to nine subways, as well as the LIRR, and the 50 million passengers who pass through the station annually. A footbridge will connect Atlantic Terminal to Atlantic Center, an earlier FCRC retail development, providing the new space with easy access to additional parking. Several national retailers will occupy the 470,000 square foot retail space including: the second largest Target in the nation, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Bath & Body Works, and the Children's Place; as well as the children's entertainment center Chuck E. Cheese. The Bank of New York has signed a 20-year lease to occupy 320,000 square feet, approximately 80%, of the office tower. Last updated 5/04
For additional information please visit FCRC's project description at:
http://www.fcrc.com/project_main1.asp?id=15&cc=1&rid=15

3. BAM Cultural District
The Brooklyn Academy of Music Local Development Corporation (BAM LDC) is currently planning a $630 million cultural district in the area surrounding BAM in Fort Greene. The development will encompass four large underused lots at the intersection of Fulton Street and Flatbush Avenue; as well as the rehabilitation of nearby 80 Hanson Place; and street façade, lighting, and landscaping improvements within the district. When complete, the district will contain 500,000 square feet of cultural space and 500 units of housing. The new district will include: an African-Diaspora art museum; the Brooklyn Public Library's visual arts library; space for up to 20 arts groups; a boutique hotel for visiting artists; and a 299 seat theater, office, and rehearsal space for Theatre for a New Audience.

Construction on the African-Diaspora art museum is expected to begin in late 2004. The 160,000 square foot museum will be located on the 20,000 square-foot parking lot owned by Forest City Ratner. There will also be up to 100 units of subsidized housing developed on the site.

The new branch of the Brooklyn Public Library will house theaters, an auditorium, art galleries, a black box theater, 24/7 media lounge, practice rooms for artists, writers and musicians, and a book collection. Enrique Norten of Ten Arquitectos in Mexico City is designing the 110,000 square foot building. Projected costs for the new library are $75 million for design and construction and an additional $45 million for furnishings, collections, and operating costs. At this time BAM LDC and New York City have pledged $11 million to the project. Design and construction is expected to begin in late 2005 at the earliest.

The overall goal of the project is to support artists and arts organizations by providing them with affordable sub-market rent space while bringing more culture to Brooklyn. The district is expected to take at least 10 years to complete, possibly longer for certain aspects. Last updated 5/04

For more information please consult the following sources:
The Slatin Report: http://www.theslatinreport.com/story.jsp?Topic=place&theStory=1208BAM.txt
Michael Van Valkenberg Associates: http://www.mvvainc.com/
BAM: http://www.bam.org/

4. Brooklyn Army Terminal Expansion
A recently renovated New York City-owned landmark, the Brooklyn Army Terminal represents one of the more significant industrial and commercial development opportunities within the borough. The fully fenced and secured 97-acre site includes two eight-story buildings, which comprise more than four million square feet of premier manufacturing, distribution, warehouse, and back-office space. There is still up to one million square feet of developable space available. The Brooklyn Army Terminal is conveniently located near the Gowanus Expressway, BQE, and Belt Parkway. It also has ferry services directly to Lower Manhattan and freight railway access. In addition, the Brooklyn Army Terminal offers on-site parking, day care, and dining facilities. Last updated 5/04
For more information visit the NYC Economic Development Corporation's city property listing: Click Here.

6. Brooklyn Bridge Park
In May 2002, Governor Pataki and Mayor Bloomberg signed a Memorandum of Understanding that created the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation (BBPDC). The BBPDC, a subsidiary of the Empire State Development Corporation, was assigned the task of designing and constructing the 1.3 mile Brooklyn Bridge Park from what is currently Brooklyn Piers 1,2,3, and 5. At the inception of the BBPDC, Pataki and Bloomberg committed $85 million in state funds and $65 million in New York City funds towards the park's construction. In December 2003, the Port Authority of NY NJ pledged an additional $85 million for the planning, design, and construction of the Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Some preliminary construction has taken place to date: construction of a new boardwalk ($2 million); transformation of a former parking lot into a playground ($6 million); restoration of the natural edge of the cove ($400,000). When completed, the project will encompass 63 acres of parkland, public amenities, cultural, and educational facilities along the waterfront in Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO. Access to the site from adjacent streets, parking, and public transportation will be incorporated as well.

A detailed master plan and environmental review is currently underway and predicted to be completed in summer 2004. The Port Authority, who currently owns the future park land, is expected to transfer the title of the property to the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation (BBPDC) upon completion of the Environmental Impact Statement. Last updated 5/04
For additional information visit the BBPDC's website http://www.bbpdc.org/ or the non-profit Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancyhttp://www.bbpdc.org/ or the non-profit Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy , http://www.bbpc.net/

7. Brooklyn Navy Yard
In 1966 the City of New York took over the closed Brooklyn Navy Yard and re-opened it as an industrial park. The Brooklyn Navy Yard is an extensive industrial complex that encompasses: 40 buildings totaling 3.8 million square feet, four operating dry dock, and five active piers, all spread out over 300-acres of land along the Brooklyn waterfront. Over 3,000 people are employed by the more than 200 diverse businesses located in the Navy Yard. The Navy Yard has few zoning restrictions, therefore the Yard welcomes a variety enterprise, including manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, high-tech, and back offices. A short list of current tenants include movie making, furniture design and manufacturing, ship building, jewelry making, and electronics distribution. A major motion picture and television studio complex is currently under construction on 15 acres of the Navy Yard. When completed in 2004, the Brooklyn Navy Yard expects to be the premiere entertainment production center on the East Coast.

The Brooklyn Navy Yard is strategically located on the East River and therefore is within easy reach of downtown Brooklyn and Manhattan. The Yard is less than one-half mile from the BQE, and less than 30 min from the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges, Battery Tunnel and LaGuardia Airport. In addition, several bus lines come directly to the Navy Yard gates, and the Navy Yard provides rush hour shuttle bus service to downtown Brooklyn subway stations.
The Brooklyn Navy Yard is located in a New York State "Empire Zone" which means that businesses within the Yard can be entitled to a range of benefits, including substantial tax credits. Last updated 5/04
For more information visit: http://www.brooklynnavyyard.org/main.html

9. Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel
A new port and rail freight tunnel has been proposed for the Brooklyn waterfront. Such a tunnel is a prerequisite for a state-of-the-art port along the Sunset Park waterfront. With trends in shipping moving toward larger ships, Brooklyn's naturally deep ports once again may represent the area's competitive advantage, as New Jersey's shallower ports require constant dredging and costly blasting to accommodate the larger ships. The plan will allow ships to unload in their freight in Brooklyn and transport the freight on rail, via the tunnel, to New Jersey and other markets to the west and north of New York City. Freight will also be able to travel from New Jersey ports to New York and other eastern markets via the tunnel. The proposal for this tunnel came from a Major Investment Study (MIS) completed by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) in May 2000. The study addressed traffic and infrastructure concerns occasioned by the 70% expected increase by 2025 of the number of freight trucks that cross the New York Harbor on the George Washington and Verrazano-Narrows bridges each day traveling from New Jersey ports to New York and Long Island Markets.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), began an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Cross Harbor Freight Movement Project in June 2001. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is complete and will be released to the public May 7, 2004. Last updated 5/04

For more information visit: http://www.crossharborfreight.org/

10.Cruise Ship Industry Expands to Brooklyn
This past year the cruise ship industry accounted for 3,300 jobs and $600 million of economic activity. In an effort to secure New York City's position as a destination for first-class passenger ships, on April 19th, 2004 Mayor Bloomberg signed letters-of-intent with two of the largest cruise companies in the world, Carnival Corporation and Norwegian Cruise Lines. As part of the agreement, the cruise ships will pay the city at least $200 million in port charges through the year 2017 to support improvements to the port facilities. The City will invest $150 million to renovate the New York Cruise Terminal on Manhattan's West Side and to create a new berth in Brooklyn. The NYC Economic Development Corporation is currently conducting navigation and traffic studies on Piers 7 and 12 to determine the best location for the new Brooklyn terminal. Pier 7 is considered to be a prime location because of its proximity to Atlantic Avenue with its restaurants and stores. A concern for the spot however is whether or not its too close to Governor's Island, which could make it difficult for the large ships to move in and out of port. Pier 12, located in Red Hook, is more navigable but it is currently leased by American Stevedoring Inc and is the only active container port in Brooklyn. Last updated 5/04

Mayor Bloomberg's Press Release: PR- 087-04 April 19, 2004
Water Front Matters Coverage: http://www.waterfrontmatters.org/pages/9/index.htm

11.Downtown Brooklyn Plan:
The Department of City Planning and the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC), in partnership with the Downtown Brooklyn Council (DBC), a local business organization, are proposing a new comprehensive development plan to facilitate the continued growth of Downtown Brooklyn.—City Planning Click here

12.Empires Stores Shopping Mall
Efforts are currently underway to convert the historic landmarked Empire Stores warehouse in DUMBO into a shopping center similar in concept to Chelsea Market with restaurants, retail shops, art galleries, and performance spaces. The 400,000 square foot warehouse, which dates back to the 1850s, has sat vacant on the East River between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges for more than 50 years. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation acquired the warehouse in 1978. The property was included in the master plan for the Brooklyn Bridge Park, therefore the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation (BBPDC), an Empire State Development Corporation subsidiary, is playing an integral role in its development process. The BBPDC received three bids for the development of the Empire Stores, from which they selected Boymelgreen Developers who will lease the property for 39 years. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation as well as the Landmarks Commission must approve all of the architectural additions. In addition, the project must undergo an environmental impact study. The project, which has received support from both Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Pataki, is expected to cost $140 million and to be completed in 2007. Last updated 5/04

For more information please visit the developers and architects websites:
http://www.africa- israel.com/eng/US_007.asp
http://www.wgcni.com/portfolio/index.php?section=urban&image=_6_EMPIRE_STORES.jpg

13.Exploring the Metropolis
This nonprofit has two free, web-based, searchable databases to help musicians and dancers find suitable rehearsal and performance spaces in New York City, reaching well beyond the standard professional venues. These databases enable users to find the most promising facilities and then contact them directly for more information and bookings.http://www.xtmnyc.org/.

14.Fairway
The former Red Hook Stores at the end of Van Brunt Street is currently under development by Greg O'Connell of Pier 41 Associates. The bottom two floors of the 19th century warehouse will house a Fairway, a New York based supermarket specializing in fresh produce and specialty foods. The upper floors will include affordable housing with views of the Statue of Liberty.
Last updated 5/04

15.FDA Building (Federal Building #2) in Sunset Park
Federal Building #2 is a 1.1 million square foot vacant warehouse located at 850 3rd Avenue at 31st St in Sunset Park. Formerly used by Department of the Navy, the building most recently served as the laboratory for the US Food and Drug Administration. Currently, the Federal Government owns the 8-story circa 1917 warehouse. Since 2000, the BEDC along with a community working group comprised of Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation, New York Industrial Retention Network, Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center, Borough President Markowitz, Congressmembers Velazquez and Nadler, Community Board Seven, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, State Senator Montgomery, and Councilwoman Gonzalez, has worked to develop an adaptive reuse strategy for the building. BEDC would like to acquire the building and convert it into light-manufacturing space. They predict that this building could provide over 3,000 living wage jobs and space for up to 90 small manufacturers. Through a grant from the Port Authority, Ehrenkrantz Eckstut & Kuhn Architects conducted a feasibility study. They found that the building was structurally sound, but its systems need to be replaced. The estimated cost of the first phase of the project, which would rehabilitate some building-wide systems and 200,000 square feet of space, is $20 million. BEDC is currently seeking government and foundation funding for the project. Last updated 5/04

16. Gateway Estates
In Spring 2001, on the site of the former Fountain Avenue waste landfill near Spring Creek in East New York, the Related Companies and Blackacre Capital Partners embarked on one of the largest city-sponsored economic development programs in Brooklyn. Gateway Estates is a mixed-use community which, when completed, will include up to 2,300 housing units, two schools, 45 acres of parkland, regional retail, and new infrastructure to support the development. The first segment of the project, a 640,000 square foot retail-shopping plaza known as Gateway Center, opened in Fall 2002. Servicing Brooklyn and Queens, the center is home to a number of label retailers typically too large for other NYC locations. Tenants include Home Depot, Target, Marshalls, and BJ's Wholesale Club, as well as restaurants Red Lobster, Olive Garden and Boulder Creek Steakhouse. Gateway Center employs 1,700 workers and has parking for 2,891 cars. This was the first large-scale retail development in Brooklyn since Kings Plaza in the 1970s. The next phase of the project, construction of 923 Nehemiah housing units by East Brooklyn Congregations, is slated to begin in 2004. Additional housing development will begin in 2005. Other amenities that will complement the development include: a 17-acre public park with regulation Cricket fields, a 3.5 acre wetlands preserve, and a new grasslands preserve on the 73-acre White Island in Gateway National Park. Last updated 5/04

For more information about Gateway Estates and other Nehemiah housing developments consult the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development's article at:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/hpd/html/for-developers/large-scale-gateway.html

17. Gowanus Expressway Reconstruction
In 1999, engineering consultants for the NYS Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) verified that the interstate highway, constructed in the early part of the 20th century, was in need of complete replacement. Interim work was started to shore up the elevated structure, but the proposed rebuilding plan, that would divert thousands of cars daily onto local streets for an extended period, was widely denounced by community organizations. A proposal was suggested, whereby the expressway would be replaced by a tunnel, and the above-ground area of 3rd Avenue be recaptured as a pedestrian-friendly avenue that would enhance the economic and aesthetic value of the Sunset Park community. The Gowanus Expressway Community Coalition and other local groups began working with local elected officials to promulgate the tunnel option, and congressional funds were appropriated in 2001 to commence a study of the tunnel alternative. Currently, NYSDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to examine the project's potential impacts to the environment. During this process NYSDOT and the FHWA will explore several project alternatives including; the No Build/Maintenance, Relief Viaduct, Rehabilitation, and one or more Tunnel alternatives. Last updated 5/04

For more information consult the NYSDOT Gowanus Project website: http://www.dot.state.ny.us/reg/r11/gowanus/

18. Hoyt-Schermerhorn-Livingston Corridor Development
Since an urban renewal project was aborted in the 1970’s, over 150,000 square feet of vacant land resulting from the demolition has been primarily used for parking lots on Schermerhorn Street and adjacent streets. Given its proximity to Downtown Brooklyn as well as the adjacent brownstone neighborhood of Boerum Hill, the area is ripe for redevelopment. In 2001, the state of New York, the primary owner of the land, issued an RFP for development, following consultation with the local residential community, the Hoyt Schermerhorn Task Force. The RFP called for mixed-use development incorporating housing, commercial and retail use. Strategic Development and Construction/IBEC was awarded development rights to the site bounded by Schermerhorn-State-Hoyt- Bond Streets. On this site they will construct housing and a charter school. Time Equities/Hamlin Ventures has been awarded development rights to the other site, bounded by Smith and Hoyt Streets, where they will construct primarily housing. Shaya B. Developers submitted the winning proposal to New York State for the site on Atlantic Avenue, where they will develop a building encompassing 30 residential condominiums and space for a large commercial user.

Other buildings in the area will include a new residential/commercial building that will also house a new home for the YMCA on the site of the Municipal Parking lot on Court Street and Atlantic Avenue. The designated developer is Two Trees Management, the principal developer in DUMBO. Also in the area will be a new dormitory for Brooklyn Law School, located on the former parking lot site at Boerum Place and State Street that will house 350 students. Last updated 5/04

19. Ikea
After losing their original location (see #16) because of traffic considerations, the trendy Swedish furniture store is now eyeing the old New York Shipyards site at the end of Columbia Street in Red Hook. Ikea is currently in contract for the site. However the area is currently zoned M-3 which is meant for heavy manufacturing, which means they need a zoning change to M-1 light manufacturing to build. If the plan goes forward, the project would include: a $70 million, 346,000 square feet store; 1,400 parking spaces; ferry service to downtown Manhattan, and 71,400 sqaure feet of adjacent restaurant and retail space. In response to local residents’ concerns, the project will also include a 6.5 acre public esplanade along the waterfront, as well as a dry dock and five gantry cranes so visitors can learn about waterfront activities. Four of the existing piers will be leased to the neighboring Erie Basin Barge Port, which will allow up to 40 more vessels and industrial use of the waterfront to continue.

Red Hook residents are divided on their support for Ikea. Advocates of the project are excited about the 500-600 new jobs for local residents. Opponents of the project are concerned about the amount of traffic that it will generate. It is estimated that Ikea will attract up to 20,000 visitors and 5,000 cars each Saturday. Some Ikea opponents enlisted the Baltimore based Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse to put together an alternate plan that includes retail, residential and commercial development. However, they also would require a zoning change to implement the project. Ikea anticipates opening in 2005. Last updated 5/04

Official Ikea Red Hook website: http://www.ikearedhook.com/
Coalition to Revitalize Our Waterfront Now (anti-Ikea): http://www.redhook-brooklyn.org/
To view a comparison of the competing plans visit the Manhattan Institutes' website: http://www.manhattan-institute.org/email/crd_newsletter03-04.html

20. Loews Kings Theater
Built as a grand movie palace in the 1920’s, the Loews Kings closed its doors in the 1970s and has been sealed since that time. With its landmark interior, the building, located in East Flatbush, has been proposed for many re-uses. Owned by the City of New York, there was hopeful talk in 2000 that Magic Johnson would invest in the project and revitalize the Kings into a vast entertainment complex. Those plans did not come to fruition, however, and the site is now under consideration for redevelopment as a cultural center for the Caribbean community, which incorporates the largest demographic group in the neighborhood and is significant in Brooklyn. However, the building is ridden with asbestos. Therefore before these plans can move forward, there needs to be an assessment of whether or not it is possible to clean it up and restore it. The Economic Development Corporation has recently agreed to perform the assessment, and the community is looking forward to the potential restoration of the grand theater. Last updated 5/04

For individuals' comments on the history and status of the theater visit
:http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1360/

21. Marriott Hotel Expansion .
In 1998, the Marriott Hotel opened its doors in downtown Brooklyn, the first new hotel to open in Brooklyn in 60 years. Over the past six years, the hotel has achieved an occupancy rate of almost 95 percent for its 376 rooms, as well as full use of its conference space. The hotel has twice received the Marriott's National "Hotel of the Year" award, which has encouraged the expansion of the hotel. On July 23, 2003, the New York City Planning Commission approved an amendment to the New York City Zoning Resolution to facilitate construction of a 24-story, 282 room expansion of the hotel. The new building will be constructed on an adjoining lot formerly owned by the city. An enclosed bridge that crosses above a plaza will connect the two structures. The $53 million expansion is expected to begin in Spring 2004. Last updated 5/04

To view the zoning text change on-line: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/pdf/cpc/030376.pdf
For more information, please visit the developer's website: http://www.muss.com/marriott/

22. MetroTech Center
MetroTech Center is a $1 billion, 16-acre, 4.2 million square feet corporate campus developed by Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC) in the heart of Downtown Brooklyn. The campus includes a two-acre Commons that features rotating art exhibitions, sidewalk dining, entertainment, and cultural events. MetroTech is home to several blue chip tenants including Bear Stearns & Company, KeySpan Energy, Chase Manhattan Bank Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley & Company, and the Securities Automation Corporation. The center also houses the executive headquarters of public tenants such as the New York City Fire Department E-911's central data processing center and the City's Department of Information and Telecommunications Technology.

Recent development includes Fifteen MetroTech, the new headquarters for Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the health insurer displaced from the World Trade Center on 9/11. Construction concluded in 2003, and the company with its 1,100 employees now occupy 322,000 square feet of the 19 story, 660,000 square foot building located on the northwest corner of Flatbush Avenue Extension and Myrtle Avenue.

Currently under construction is Twelve MetroTech at 330 Jay Street. The 30 story, 1,125,000 square foot building is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2005. When complete it will be the largest state court building in the US, as 950,000 square feet will be used by the Supreme Court, Family Court, and their associated city and state agencies. The remaining space will be for commercial office. The building which was designed to fit the context of downtown Brooklyn, will have three separate entrance lobbies, one for each court and the third for the commercial office space. Last updated 5/04

For additional information on this and other FCRC developments in Brooklyn, visit their website: http://www.fcrc.com/

24. Park Slope Armory
The drill shed of the City-owned and landmarked Park Slope Armory remains entirely vacant. The headhouse, which dates back to 1891-1895, was renovated by the Department of Homeless Services for $14 million and converted into a homeless shelter and offices for veteran's organizations. Take the Field, a nonprofit organization that revitalizes playing fields and recreational facilities for amateur sports in urban area has suggested converting the balance of the Armory space into athletic and community facilities for alternative public schools and the public. Last updated 5/04

25. Piers 6-12
In 2003, the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey hired planning firm Hamilton Rabinowitz & Alschuler (HR&A) to develop plans for Brooklyn Piers 6-12. In order to incorporate greater community input into the study, a volunteer Working Group was assembled. The Working Group sought feedback from local civic organizations and community leaders. The Working Group presented the NYCEDC and Port Authority with its findings and recommendations in December 2003. They concluded that Pier 6 should be incorporated into the Brooklyn Bridge Park plans and that Piers 7-12, which are part of the Red Hook Marine Terminal, should continue to support maritime industries. Piers 10 and 12, which are currently leased by American Stevedoring, are the only active container ports in Brooklyn. The Working Group recommended the retention of container operations at the Red Hook Marine Terminal at least until an alternate location, such as the Sunset Park Marine Terminal, is fully developed and implemented.

Other recommendations by the Working Group were to: improve mass transit access and transportation infrastructure; improve pedestrian access to the waterfront; utilize innovative solutions to avoid promoting increased truck traffic on residential streets; maximize use of waterborne transportation; maximize the benefit of new jobs and commerce; and take into account the potential impact of the redevelopment of Governor's Island, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn Army Terminal, and Sunset Park Marine Terminal. Last updated 5/04

Port Authority & NYCEDC Report: http://www.panynj.gov/commerce/BP-7-31.pdf
Water Front Matters coverage: http://www.waterfrontmatters.org/pages/9/index.htm
Bounded by the Gowanus Canal, Fourth, Hoyt, Fifth, Smith, and Seventh Streets, the Citizen's Gas Works site, a former manufactured gas plant (MGP), recently underwent a Remedial Investigation (RI) by KeySpan. The 8.4-acre site consists of four lots, two of which are owned by the City of New York, the other two are privately owned. The investigation was conducted in March-June 2003, after KeySpan formed a Voluntary Cleanup Agreement with the New York State Department of environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). NYSDEC and the New York State Department of Health have already reviewed the initial RI report and final copy should be available to the public in May of 2004.

The manufactured gas plant operated on the site from 1858 to 1959 when it was decommissioned. The Brooklyn Union Gas (predecessor to KeySpan) sold the entire lot in the 1960s to a private company, who in turn sold or leased portions of the site to other businesses. In 1975 the city condemned lots 1-100 and thus acquired ownership. Following condemnation, significant illegal dumping took place on the site, which contributed to its contamination. Since 1985 several environmental investigations have been conducted on the site. A study done for NYSDEC in 1989-90 revealed that soils, subsurface water and groundwater contaminated with BTEX, PAHs, naphthalene, and volatile organics (all typical of former MGP operations) may be migrating to the Gowanus Canal. The new RI study will determine what contaminants are present, where they are located, whether/where they are migrating, and whether or not people on or off the site could be exposed.

Local community organizations would like to see the site cleaned up and developed as affordable housing (seniors, homeownership, affordable rental), with open space, waterfront access, and possible retail development along Smith Street, which is one of the fastest growing commercial streets in Brooklyn. Private brownfield developers have exhibited a strong interest in this site, but the extent of the contamination and the cost of cleanup, not to mention its designation as a park site (requiring rezoning), have thwarted reinvestment. Last updated 5/04

For more information consult the NYSDEC Fact Sheet: http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/der/mgp/carrolgardens.pdf

26. US Postal Service/Gowanus Canal site
Lowes Home Improvement Center, a consumer hardware/home improvement store similar in concept to Home Depot, opened April 30th, 2004 on the controversial 9.4 acre lot formerly owned by the US Postal Service on the east side of the Gowanus Canal in Park Slope/Gowanus. Originally after auction, Millennium Partners were to develop the site as Brooklyn Commons, a combination multi-screen theater, bowling alley, retail space, and restaurants. However, Forest City Ratner sued, alleging a flawed designation process and eventually won the development rights to the project. The following proposal for the use of the site by an Ikea store, which would have required a zoning change, was rejected by all of the local community groups and elected officials due to traffic and congestion considerations. However, as hardware stores of any size are allowed under the sites existing zoning regulations, Lowes required no community review and was allowed to build as of right. Last updated 5/04

For more information visit the developers website: http://www.fceinc.com/projects_detail_commercial.asp?id=559

This list is for informational purposes only. BEDC gathered the data from various sources as a public service and makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the information provided here. Although every effort was made to ensure the reliability of listed sites, this cannot be taken as an endorsement of these sites or the material contained therein.