New York City is set to receive a substantial boost in funding for the revitalization of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal following a planned $80 million investment announced back in May. In a recent announcement from the office of Congressman Dan Goldman on September 23, it was revealed that the U.S. Department of Transportation has allocated an additional $163.8 million for the enhancement of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal, with support from a coalition of elected officials including Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, among others.
Back in mid-May, Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, along with Governor Kathy Hochul, the NYC Economic Development Corporation, and the Port Authority, reached an agreement to transfer operational control of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal from the Port Authority to the city. This initiative aims to transform the terminal into a waterfront community, generating thousands of job opportunities for the local residents. The project encompasses over a hundred acres of waterfront areas in Red Hook, Columbia Street, and the existing Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.
The establishment of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal Working Group, chaired by Congressman Goldman representing the local district, with State Senator Andrew Gounardes and Council Member Alexa Avilés serving as vice-chairs, has been pivotal in engaging with local stakeholders such as unions, waterfront advocates, businesses, workforce development organizations, nearby communities, and maritime industry to ensure that the project aligns with the shared vision of the community.
The federal “Mega Grant” will cover three key aspects of the revitalization plan for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal: (1) the restoration of Pier 10; (2) the demolition of Piers 9A and 9B to construct a new Pier 9; (3) improving traffic and access to the marine terminal to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
The funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s “Mega Grant” will be disbursed in two phases: $3.8 million in the 2025 fiscal year to New York City, with the remaining $160 million to be allocated in the 2026 fiscal year.
As the chair of the working group, Congressman Goldman led the drafting of the joint letter in support of the federal funding, with signatures from Schumer, Gillibrand, Gounardes, State Assembly Members Marcela Mitaynes, Charles Fall, Jo Anne Simon, Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Avilés, and Council Member Shahana Hanif.
In a statement, Congressman Goldman expressed excitement over the federal grant, emphasizing its transformative impact on the Red Hook community, stating, “Despite the long neglect of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal, with this long-awaited federal funding, we are entering a new era.”
Schumer, Gillibrand, and Mayor Adams also issued statements affirming their support for the federal “Mega Grant.”