Brooklyn Marine Terminal plan rejected to prioritize shipping operations over residential development at Brooklyn port.

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is facing significant criticism over a recent plan to develop housing on the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT), the last functioning container port on the western side of the Hudson River. Spanning 122 acres and complemented by seven piers, the BMT runs from Atlantic Avenue to Red Hook, opposite Governors Island. Critics argue that this vital maritime site should be preserved for commercial shipping activities rather than be redeveloped for residential purposes.

Opponents of the EDC’s proposal assert that while housing remains a pressing need in New York City, there are nearly 200,000 acres available across the five boroughs. They contend that the BMT represents a unique asset that should be utilized for its original purpose—supporting marine trade—rather than being replaced by residential developments. The call for restoration of maritime operations at the BMT is based on the premise that urban centers benefit from maintaining a robust working waterfront.

Under the EDC’s current redevelopment plan, the operational capacity of the BMT would be significantly diminished, as the area designated for port use would shrink to less than half its existing size. The site has remained underutilized for decades, having been left derelict by the Port Authority before being transferred to City Hall in a deal that included the Howland Hook Marine Terminal on Staten Island last year.

The push for residential development at the BMT has drawn fire for jeopardizing the city’s ambition to enhance cargo transportation via water—an initiative that ultimately seems counterintuitive if the port’s size is reduced to a scale deemed inefficient.

The EDC’s proposal received a narrow vote of approval from a specialized committee comprising 28 members. This critical decision was initially slated for several votes from April through July, all of which were postponed after indications suggested that the proposal would not garner sufficient support. Ultimately, it managed to pass by a slim margin of 17 to 8, with three members absent during the vote, which raised concerns about the integrity of the decision-making process.

Dissenting voices within the Assembly and City Council, along with advocates for maintaining the working waterfront, have echoed the sentiments of Rep. Jerry Nadler, who has long championed a vision for a revitalized waterfront economy. Observers suggest that with an impending change in city administration at the beginning of the new year, there is potential for new leadership to reevaluate and reverse the BMT redevelopment strategy, allowing for both residential needs and the preservation of a functional waterfront to coexist. The discussion surrounding the BMT underscores a broader dialogue about urban development, resource allocation, and the importance of maintaining critical infrastructure in New York City.