New York, NY — Yesterday, New York City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farías, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development, convened an oversight hearing on the proposed Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) redevelopment — a $3 billion initiative to transform 122 acres of the city’s last major working waterfront. Spanning Piers 7 to 12 in Red Hook and the Columbia Street Waterfront District, the hearing marked a critical moment in shaping the future of New York City’s waterfront policy, touching on industrial preservation, affordable housing, climate resilience, and the use of public land.

“The Brooklyn Marine Terminal redevelopment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine our waterfront — supporting maritime industry, addressing housing needs, and investing in environmental resilience,” said Majority Leader Amanda Farías. “But with that opportunity comes a responsibility to ensure that public land is used for public benefit. That means community engagement, transparency around project details, meaningful commitments to affordability and workforce development, and clear accountability for environmental and community impacts. Oversight is not optional; it is essential to ensuring this $3 billion investment both serves the local community and our larger NYC vision.”

In May 2024, a historic land swap transferred operational control of the terminal from the Port Authority to NYCEDC, ending decades of federal disinvestment. This agreement, which included $95 million in joint City and State investments and $164 million in federal funding, enabled NYCEDC to assume control of the site; however, the shift from public port to mixed-use development has sparked public debate.

During the hearing, NYCEDC President Andrew Kimball outlined the agency’s vision, which includes a 23-member Brooklyn Marine Terminal Development Corporation (BMTDC) to govern the site, with appointments made by the Mayor, Governor, and local elected officials. A separate Oversight Task Force would meet quarterly to provide community input. EDC emphasized that core project commitments — including 7,000 to 9,000 housing units, a 60-acre modernized container port, 30 acres of public open space, and 300,000 square feet of commercial space — would be codified in a General Project Plan (GPP) subject to public review before any changes. Council Members urged binding commitments to ensure these benefits reach local communities. The decision to pursue the State’s General Project Plan (GPP) process, bypassing the City’s ULURP process, drew criticism for limiting public input. The Committee on Economic Development will maintain oversight as the project moves toward a key June 18 vote on its Vision Plan.

“What happens at the Brooklyn Marine Terminal will define the future of our neighborhoods, our borough, and our City for generations. As the proud representative of Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, and the Columbia Waterfront, I know that community input can’t just be a box to check. Unfortunately, that’s exactly how it’s felt throughout this process,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “Yesterday’s hearing made it clear: real community engagement, responsive to community priorities, regarding real investment in transit, affordable housing, and environmental protections, is still sorely lacking. We cannot let this project become a vehicle for private profit. I urge the EDC to seriously consider the feedback shared and revise a plan that addresses the community’s real concerns and priorities.”

“From yesterday’s hearing, it is clear that NYC’s Economic Development Corporation is acting hastily to make decisions that will deeply affect the residents and businesses of Red Hook and Columbia Street Waterfront,” said Council Member Alexa Avilés. “I joined the BMT Taskforce to act in good faith as co-chair, championing respect and dignity for my constituents in Red Hook. The future of Brooklyn Marine Terminal will have massive impacts on their lives — from environmental justice concerns to a potential cost-of-living crisis in their neighborhood. Yet, throughout this extremely limited and opaque process driven by EDC, our community’s concerns have been utterly disregarded. I fear what will happen to current residents should they be forced to shoulder the burden of this massive redevelopment project. The current vision will displace local businesses and residents alike. From what we heard at the hearing, there is not currently a viable plan for increased transportation options, no plans to protect local businesses, strengthen infrastructure, and address the health impacts of EDC’s vision redevelopment. We should not set the precedent that the luxury real estate industry can circumvent our city’s land use processes.”

For press inquiries, contact Nathalie Levey at nlevey@council.nyc.gov or (332) 227-2157.