The list of FAQs below represent our list from January 2025. This will be updated in early March.
FAQs
Project Timeline and Governance
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The goal is to have an approved BMT masterplan by April 14, 2025 and project kick-off in 2028 with a 10-year timeline for construction.
–– What follows the masterplan phase? The GPP process.
–– What is the timeline for constructing the proposed 7,000 – 9,000 housing units over the 10-year timeline? See above, with the caveat that the construction of housing units will vary by property / building and dependent on the developer.
–– At what point will the community know where the proposed buildings will be built? The approved BMT masterplan will likely be made publicly available and if not, we can lobby for access via our elected officials / taskforce.
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The EDC / Empire State Development (ESD) are the decision-making stakeholders. The following taskforce listed here has been assembled to represent the committee.
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No, the proposed buildings will not be subject to the ULURP process because the project is state funded. Instead, the project will follow the GPP process.
–– If the proposed buildings in the BMT masterplan are not subject to the ULURP process, how will the community have a voice in the architectural language and its coordination with architectural context so that the heart of the neighborhood is not lost? The EDC / ESD is engaging the community through a series of workshops — very surface level activities. In the future, the EDC / ESD will engage the community through the GPP process which will include continuation of the taskforce and public hearings where the community will be able to share their opinions.
–– Will 160 Imlay Street have a voice in west / east / south view blockage? The impact to 160 Imlay Street views will not be better understood until the approved BMT masterplan is released and future phases are underway. Based on the current understanding of the project, 160 Imlay Street will likely lose southern views in all scenarios and western views may be impacted by proposed hotels.
–– Given the projected increase in population that comes with the proposed 7,000 – 9,000 housing units, will Red Hook have its own community board in the future? There is currently no plan to develop a community board specific to Red Hook. Districts and associated community boards are typically redrawn during election years.
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Yes.
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N/A
–– What lessons were learned from the Williamsburg / Greenpoint waterfront rezoning and development that will be applied the BMT project? N/A
Cost Model
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See EDC PW3 Deck slide 23
–– Why is housing the primary revenue generating factor? Because the project is being driven by REBNY which has been seeking an increase in housing for years.
–– Why is port operations not a revenue generating factor? The EDC / ESD is claiming that Pier 11 RFP submissions show that the port is not viable, but the logic behind this is missing.
–– What is the logic behind hotels as a revenue generating factor? Consultants hired by EDC / ESD determined that there is a lack of hotels in the area and a need for increased hotel keys — similar to the One Hotel in DUMBO — based on current / projected cruise terminal volume.
–– How are hotels — specifically those similar to the One Hotel in DUMBO — justifiable if MSC — the primary cruise terminal operator — are used by persons in the NY / NJ metro area and the average cost of a week on the cruise is low (e.g., starting at $500 a week). N/A
–– Why is maritime programming not expected to generate revenue?N/A
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N/A
–– Would the BMT project have to be scaled back? N/A
–– How might objectives and priorities change for the BMT project in response to a funding shortfall?N/A
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N/A
–– Why are big EDC projects elsewhere getting funded? N/A
Acquisition
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[See EDC PW3 Deck slides 6 and 22]
The UPS site.
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No.
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NOTING THAT: Per the site plan (see EDC PW3 Deck slide 6), Conover Street is cutting through 160 Imlay Street via property that is current private.
The site plan is not accurate and will be updated in future iterations.
Project Coordination
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N/A
Miscellaneous
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It is currently slate for Ferry Home Port and a hotel.
Housing
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This would require the acquisition of the UPS site which accounts for approximately 2,000 housing units and rezoning of the remaining 122 acres to allow for high-rise buildings.
–– What does the EDC / ESD model for incorporating 7,000 – 9,000 housing units look like? N/A
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N/A
Transportation and Infrastructure
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N/A
–– With potentially 7,000 – 9,000 new housing units proposed in the masterplan, has the DOT / MTA been engaged to study an increase in existing public transportation (e.g., bus, ferry) and resurface past studies (i.e., 2 line from downtown Manhattan)? The DOT is studying increased bus service. The EDC is studying increased ferry service, given it operates the ferry system. Increased subway service is not being studied at this time.
–– What is the plan for mitigating traffic / congestion during construction? N/A
–– How is it feasible to propose 7,000 – 9,000 housing units solely supported by bus / ferry, without subway? What is the logic / rationalization of such proposition?N/A
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See answer 1.d.
–– How will utilities (e.g., sewer, drainage, water) be upgraded to support the significant, projected increase in population / housing units and not exacerbate the already underserved community? N/A
–– How will the DSNY address trash removal services/bins needed to accommodate 7000-9000 additional residents and not exacerbate the already underserved community? ? N/A
Basic Needs and Civic Programming
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N/A
Sustainability and Resiliency
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N/A
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The EDC / ESD is not sure but will look into this further.
Working Waterfront
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There is a potential opportunity to move the cruise terminal north to pier 9A. *160 Imlay Street residents should advocate for the cruise terminal to stay at Atlantic Basin to avoid high-rises development.
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N/A
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The projected increase in volume for port activity can be accommodated in the container port site. The flex site is for future expansion of port needs.
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N/A