Sen. Gounardes’ Statement on the Brooklyn Marine Terminal Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JUNE 27, 2025

New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes issued the following statement after the New York City Economic Development Corporations postponed a vote on plans for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal:

“Last night, state officials notified me that they plan to commit funding to re-imagine and modernize the Brooklyn Marine Terminal, an important win for which I and fellow Task Force members have been fighting for months. While this commitment is exciting, many important details remain unclear. In order to fully understand the implications of this funding and how it could shape the Terminal’s future, I asked EDC to push back the Task Force’s vote. I also intend to use this additional time to push the NYC Department of Transportation for stronger commitments on congestion mitigation and traffic improvements for the surrounding neighborhoods. 

“I know there are some in the community who want the Task Force to stop engaging in this process and simply say ‘no.’ But I am deeply concerned about the implications of walking away and starting over. My staff and I have spent hundreds of hours in Task Force meetings, public engagements, town halls, and conversations with community members, all in service of identifying and fighting for better outcomes in this plan. 

“Together, we’ve gotten a commitment for 40% affordable housing at an average of 60% AMI, including 25% of that being family-sized units (an almost unheard-of benchmark), $50 million for a neighborhood affordable housing preservation fund, $200 million for NYCHA repairs, a commitment that the newly formed BMT Development Corporation will have approval and enforcement authority over all RFPs and contracts to avoid the mistakes of the Atlantic Yards project, a feasibility study to cap the BQE Trench in Cobble Hill, a 60 acre all-electric port, Blue Highway commitments that will revolutionize the way freight moves in New York City, among many, many other benefits. I do not want to walk away from those things—I want to continue to make them better. 

“As always, my top priority remains creating a Brooklyn Marine Terminal that meets the needs of our communities and our city. That goal will remain at the forefront of my mind as this process moves forward.”

Press Contact:

Billy Richling

Communications Director

State Senator Andrew Gounardes

billy@senatorgounardes.nyc

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