The
Red Hook StarªRevue
MAY 2016
SOUTH BROOKLYN’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FREE
Ferry location still up in the air by George Fiala
T
he long awaited next step in the selection of a Red Hook commuter ferry stop arrived in April with the publication of the NYC Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), covering 17 new passenger ferry stops, including Red Hook. There are currently a number of ferries traversing the waters around Manhattan. The East River ferries are operated by NY Waterways. and connect various locations north of Brooklyn Bridge Park to lower and midtown Manhattan. Additionally, a ferry route connects Governors Island with downtown Manhattan. The NY Water Taxi has been operating ferries between Red Hook and lower Manhattan since 2002. Hornblower Cruises and Events, a West Coast company, has been operating ferries going to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island since 2008. EDC began studying expansion of NYC ferry service under the Bloomberg administration. A 245 page report was issued in 2013. The following is a quote from that report: “Private developers would likely benefit from expanded ferry service to Red Hook, to serve as an amenity to their projects. New landings would impact property owned by Estate Four and the O’Connell Organization, and potentially unlock value for future development. Further study is needed to determine whether the proposed developments on Coffey Street and Imlay Street will generate enough traffic to warrant a new service or landing, and whether a public-private partnership could be structured to fund ferry investment.” Ferry expansion carried over from the Bloomberg to the de Blasio admin-
Red Hook Star-Revue
tives came to that hearing to explain again to EDC officials why the Atlantic Basin was the community’s preferred location. The overriding reason was the centrality of the basin to Red Hook residents. It is at the end of Pioneer Street – much closer to the residential community than the Beard Street Pier. The Atlantic Basin also has the potential for sufficient off-street parking – as many of the parking spots adjacent to the Cruise Terminal are severely underutilized.
EDC's artist rendering of new ferry stop looks like it could be behind Fairway. (courtesy NYC Economic Development Corporation)
istration. De Blasio trumpeted NYC Ferry expansion in his 2015 State-ofthe-City Address. He added a, saying that new ferries would start to be added starting in 2017. EDC proceeded full steam ahead.
Unusual choice
In August 2015, Red Hook community leaders were shocked when – at a meeting of Community Board 6 – EDC announced their two proposed locations for the Red Hook Ferry Terminal. The first was at the end of the Beard Street Pier, on property owned by the O’Connell Organization; and the second was at Valentino Pier. Many in the audience - including local businessman Jim Tampakas - pointed out that the Atlantic Basin, which abuts the Red Hook Cruise Terminal, would be a much more suitable location for a number of cogent reasons. CB6 member, Jerry Armer proposed a resolution strongly urging EDC to consider the Basin as a potential location. The resolution passed, and the next battle was fought in September 2015 at a public hearing in Borough Hall.
Almost thirty Red Hook residents, merchants and political representa-
Tim Gilman-Sevcik, a Red Hook homeowner who suffered extensive damage from Sandy and a member of NY Rising, said that the community was unanimous in its displeasure of EDC’s ideas. He said (continued on page 6)
It's The Red Hook!
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