by Brooklyn Bridge Park on Dec 18, 2013
Operators for Pier 5 Food Concession and Pier 2 Skate Rink also chosen.
Expansion of Parklands at Main St, John St and Pier 6 set to begin.
BBP and Spaceworks Inc. to develop affordable artists’ studios at the Park.
Brooklyn Bridge Park (BBP) today announced the selection of a developer and operator of a first-class marina adjacent to Pier 5 at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The developer, Edgewater Resources, a multi- disciplinary marina design, development, and management company with extensive national and international experience, will operate the marina under a long-term lease. Now, plans for the Brooklyn Bridge Marina, a centerpiece of the park master plan, will be realized. Operators for the Pier 5 concession building and the Pier 2 skate rink were also announced today, as were a number of parkland improvements and expansions, and the development of affordable studio space for artists at the park.
Located in the southern portion of Park the between Piers 4 and 5, the 320,000 square foot marina site is fully permitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the US Army Corp of Engineers. The surrounding park area includes three soccer fields, two playgrounds, and a picnic and barbecue peninsula. The Request for Proposals, issued in September 2013, emphasized the importance of development and design goals consistent with the Park vision, financial and operational feasibility, and the commitment to a strong community boating program. Edgewater Resources was deemed the best proposal based on these criteria. Their plan, subject to approval by BBP, allows for 125 slips on four main floating docks, and features a robust community boating program that will include free and low-cost youth boating programs, and at least 150 hours annually of free professional kayak instruction. The addition of the marina will further BBP’s goal of promoting recreational boating and on- water educational programming, and provide New Yorkers even more opportunities to actively connect with their waterfront.
“The expansion and development of Brooklyn Bridge Park under Mayor Bloomberg’s leadership has transformed the Brooklyn waterfront,” Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel said. “With the addition of a world-class marina to the Park, I am confident that even more people from all five boroughs and all around the world will come to Brooklyn to enjoy this magnificent waterfront park.”
“The 84 acres of Brooklyn waterfront parkland added since 2002 shows the commitment of Mayor Bloomberg and First Deputy Mayor Patti Harris to putting New Yorkers closer to our spectacular coastline,” said NYC Parks & Recreation Commissioner Veronica M. White. “Adding these features to our wonderful Brooklyn Bridge Park means the recreation options there have become even greater with new opportunities for active and passive activities.”
“Whether getting out on the water or strolling the docks, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Marina will be a hub of nautical activity for the community,” said Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park. “Since we opened in 2010, the progress of the Park has been simply stunning. This signals yet another milestone on our way to completion of the park master plan.”
“We are very pleased to collaborate with Brooklyn Bridge Park and local community organizations to make boating in New York Harbor more accessible than ever,” said Ron Schults, of Edgewater Resources. “Our goal is to create a beautiful, state of the art boating facility and provide a community boating program for people of all ages, incomes, and abilities. Our team understands the significance of this opportunity to serve the community, and we look forward to getting Brooklyn Bridge Park Marina underway.”
In addition, BBP announced the operator of the Pier 2 roller rink: United Skates of America, Inc.. The rink, which is scheduled for completion in early 2014, measures 180 feet long and 75 feet wide and has hockey boards running the perimeter. The design includes multiple entrances and player boxes and will be used for roller and inline skating, roller hockey, and roller derby. United Skates will oversee operations and security of the rink, rent skating equipment, and manage the rink schedule to allow for a mix of public skate time, recreational league play, and special events. United Skates is the largest operator of roller skating centers in the country, operating 19 rinks in 11 states. They also successfully operated the pop-up roller rink at the High Line in 2012. The rink is one of several hotly-anticipated amenities coming soon to Pier 2, including basketball, handball and bocce courts, as well as swings, workout equipment, picnic tables and restrooms. BBP looks forward to welcoming the community to this dynamic pier for active recreation and breathtaking views.
“United Skates of America is delighted to be working with the Brooklyn Bridge Park team on what is sure to be the most exciting rollerskating experience in the nation,” said Jim Dvorak of United Skates. “Not only will skaters have spectacular views of the the harbor and the city, they will also enjoy the fun, fitness and entertainment of rollerskating.”
Building upon the success of its inaugural 2013 season in the park, Ample Hills Creamery has been selected to continue and expand operations at the food concession adjacent to the Pier 5 sports fields and Picnic Peninsula. The famed Brooklyn-based ice cream manufacturer and retailer will be offering their fine selection of one-of-a-kind ice-creams such as Salted Crack Caramel and Butter Pecan Brittle and a variety of beverages, baked goods, and snacks. The 2014 spring/summer season will see Ample Hills expand its menu to include coffee and breakfast items, and operate seven days a week with extended hours on the weekends.
“After a thrilling first year, Ample Hills is excited to return to Brooklyn Bridge Park,” said owner Brian Smith. “We look forward to growing our menu and expanding our locations in the park with the addition of two new pushcarts. As Brooklyn Bridge Park builds more green spaces, it feels like a natural fit: Whitman’s literary hills, the park’s new literal hills, and our delicious Ample Hills of Brooklyn.”
Ample Hills Creamery, along with Luke’s Lobster, No. 7 Sub, Fornino, Calexico Carne Asada, and Brooklyn Bridge Wine Bar make up the Park’s ever-expanding roster of food options that have made BBP a culinary destination. The popular Smorgasburg will also be returning to the park in April of 2014 with their weekly food market at Pier 5.
BBP also announced its partnership with Spaceworks, Inc., a nonprofit real estate organization dedicated to expanding the supply of long-term, affordable rehearsal and studio space for artists in New York City, to establish affordable artist studios on the upper floors of Brooklyn Bridge Park’s administrative headquarters at 334 Furman Street. The project will entail the design and construction of studio space to be managed by Spaceworks and approximately 3,000 square feet of space for BBP’s future use. When complete, Spaceworks anticipates the project will yield approximately 40 affordable studios for visual artists, who will be selected by lottery. This unique partnership will provide much sought-after space for visual artists, and add to the diverse community that utilizes BBP’s varied amenities.
“Spaceworks is thrilled to partner with Brooklyn Bridge Park to create long-term, affordable studios for New York City visual artists at 334 Furman Street,” said Paul Parkhill, Executive Director of Spaceworks. “This project demonstrates the vital importance of developing public-private partnerships to address the work space needs of artists.”
Other exciting news includes further expansion of the park to the north, with construction to begin in January 2014 on the Main Street and John Street sections, as well as to the south, with the completion of Pier 6 parklands. At Main Street, the former New York City Department of Environmental Protection Building (the “Plymouth St Building”), will be transformed into a 1,700 square foot public park building providing much needed restrooms, a community meeting space, an environmental education center and BBP operations space. The design will upgrade the building throughout and feature new glass facades providing a light-filled entryway into the new public space. Open space design at Main Street will feature an expanded lawn, an improved entry plaza at Washington Street, an upgraded dog run, outdoor community space and a bouldering wall.
New parkland will be built at the John Street site, including pedestrian bridges over a tidal salt marsh, tree-lined pathways, and a 13,000-square-foot gathering lawn. Plans for this area also include a new pedestrian entrance at Jay Street. Acquisition of the site located north of the intersection of John Street and Pearl Street in DUMBO will further enhance this area. The “Pearl Street Stub” is a property approximately 165’ by 50’ adjacent to the John Street development site and currently used as a parking lot by the owners of 10 Jay Street. Incorporating the Pearl Street Stub into the Park will expand the waterfront landscape at the site and provide an additional access point through Pearl Street. These elements will strengthen BBP’s ties to the DUMBO community, and seamlessly incorporate new sections into the overall fabric of the park.
BBP also announced that it has amended its contract with Turner Construction Company to complete landscaping at Pier 6. The Playground at Pier 6 opened in June 2010 and the first third of the pier structure opened in May 2011. This project, set to start in January 2014, will add expansive landscape and lawn areas to the southern end of the park — building from existing park areas at Pier 6 and extending the circulation pattern on the pier. The design comprises a seasonally vibrant perennial flower garden, a sinuous network of lawns bordered by shade plantings and seating, and the extension of the pier’s 30-foot wide exterior promenade.
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