The Great Atlantic Basin Mystery, by George Fiala

Red Hook has been home to many mysteries. Cherry factories, toxic sludge and HP Lovecraft are just a few. People in Red Hook today are scratching their heads trying to figure out why the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC), will do just about anything to avoid sharing Atlantic Basin, a huge expanse of local waterfront, with us.

The latest dustup occurred at the 76th Precinct last August 20. That was the scene of a Community Board 6 (CB6) Transportation Committee meeting. That is where EDC made their first local presentation of their plans for a Red Hook commuter ferry, a service ordered by the Mayor as part of a general upgrading of East River ferries

Everyone in the room, including John McGettrick, Jim Tampakas, IKEA’s Lorna Montalvo, Est4te Four’s Massimilo Senise, and Adam Armstrong fully expected that once Red Hook finally got a commuter ferry – which people have been asking about for years, there would be no doubt about it sailing from the long underutilized Atlantic Basin – that great expanse of protected harbor specially built for the maritime industry in the 19th century.

But no. After sitting through a mind numbing presentation explaining all sorts of trivialities having to do with barge design and water depths, we were told that the new ferry landing would either be at the end of the Beard Street pier, or possibly Valentino Pier.

As the floor was opened up to questions, all the locals spoke up in utter disbelief. They told EDC that Atlantic Basin was better located, had parking, was better sheltered from the elements and what exactly were they thinking?

What they are thinking is that they’ve already decided on what they’ve decided, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

So what’s up with Atlantic Basin?

First of all, to get there, all you have to do is walk down Pioneer Street past Pioneer Works and you will see a gate with an open door. Walk through the door, slant a bit towards the right and you’ll see a large expanse of water, with land on three corners. That’s the Basin. Look right past the opening to the river and you’ll see Governor’s Island. It is that close.

Look to your right and you’ll see lots of parking spaces. It is usually devoid of cars – it’s a resource waiting to be taken advantage of. The whole place is. You’ll see a huge metal shed. At one time this shed served as a warehouse for goods shipped in and out of the basin. Things like cocoa and coffee beans, bananas, and lumber. Right now it is used to recycle bottles and cans by Phoenix Beverage, an EDC tenant whose main facility is further down the pier. They were forced to rent the shed as part of the deal that put them on Pier 7.

You can walk right up to the basin, and if you like, sit down and stick your feet close to the water. One could easily could imagine a million uses for this valuable land. They would include maritime, entrepreneurial and educational and recreational activities.

In fact, at different times over the past fifteen years EDC has floated ideas about what might be at the basin. They were floated and then sunk.

A history of RFP’s
In 2007 EDC issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of a marina. The Cruise Terminal was already open next door at Pier 12, and the Red Hook Containerport was in the process of receiving a new ten year lease. Both were already under the post 9/11 security regulations imposed by Homeland Security and the Coast Guard.

Atlantic Basin encompasses almost a million square feet of space. A 2007 RFP envisioned a marina and, according to Gary Buiso’s article in the Queens Ledger, “maritime support services, including marine repair and refitting, boat sales, dry dock storage and fueling facilities.” The RFP went on to say “Preference will be given to proposals that maximize public access to Atlantic Basin and improve the waterfront experience for visitors and residents, as well as those that include an integrated job apprenticeship[ or vocational training program for local residents.”

This sounds much like a plan that Tom Fox, a founder of the NYC Water Taxi company, together with the Durst Organization, current owner of NY Water Taxi, has been lobbying for over the past ten years, with no success thus far.

Nothing came of that RFP, and in 2010, EDC issued another one. This one, entitled “Atlantic Basin Upland Programmer,” asked for proposals for use of the bus staging area at Pier 11 of the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. “It is contemplated that the Program may consist of a variety of commercial and/or non-profit uses such as festivals, markets, arts and entertainment events,” stated the RFP document.

Prior to issuing that RFP, EDC held a community roundtable to solicit ideas from the Red Hook community. It was held at the Cruise Terminal on January 20, 2010, and is summarized in the RFP. Among the ideas listed were the following:

• Campground
• Fela Market/Green Market/Food & Wine Festival
• Special Events including circus, carnival, concerts, theatre
• Equestrian events, volleyball, sporting events
• Ferry Connection
• Red Hook regatta
• Outdoor sculpture site/outdoor art

Again, nothing came from these ideas or the RFP.

Armer knew
As mentioned earlier, most of the Red Hookers who showed up at the CB6 meeting expected to hear that a new ferry terminal would be placed at the Atlantic Basin.

After all, the basin is easily accessible to most parts of Red Hook, either by walking, biking or the B61 bus. In addition, there is plenty of available parking for those commuters wanting to drive to the ferry. It is close to many of the new housing being currently built, including the Est4te Four project just up the road.

Pioneer Works, which has become a respected arts institution and attracts thousands of visitors from Manhattan and elsewhere, is just down the street.

There was at just one person attending the meeting who knew what was in store. Jerry Armer, CB 6 member and long time community leader, had read EDC’s RFP for Citywide Ferry Operators.

That RFP was issued on March 27, 2015, and laid out EDC’s ferry plans. In it, and in the accompanying draft Environmental Impact Statement, available on the EDC website, they describe the two potential sites that were announced at the meeting. Neither one was at the basin.

One choice is to the left of the existing Water Taxi stop behind Fairway. Commuters would have to go through the gate at the end of Van Brunt onto the walkway next to the Beard Street warehouses. This is private property owned by the O’Connell Organization.

EDC’s Government & Community Affairs Director Lydia Downing told the surprised audience that this was the first choice, and is only dependent upon ongoing negotiations with the property owner.

If that doesn’t work out, their second choice would be to attach a ferry terminal to the end of Valentino Pier. Their only reservation had to do with possibly impeding Statue of Libery views – not interfering with fishing, or park-goers, or any environmental consequence.

At one point Downing looked out over the audience and did offer “I guess everyone is curious why we wouldn’t choose the Atlantic Basin.”

They claim that the Atlantic Basin is off limits when a ship is docked at the Cruise Terminal. Jim Tampakas, owner of Tamco Mechanical, 54 Richards Street, immediately objected, saying that he was in possession of a letter from the Coast Guard that contradicted this. The ILA, Local 1814, the union that provides porters and other workers at the Cruise Terminal, had also never heard of such a restriction.

Downing, looking vexed, told Tampakas that if indeed he had such a letter to please provide it.

But it was evident that EDC has already made up their minds. They already have all the RFP respondents and are in the process of choosing the operators – and are planning a rollout of this part of the Citywide Ferry Service sometime in 2017. She basically told the audience that it’s too late to make any changes.

The Star-Revue could not find anyone who was consulted by EDC prior to the issuance of the RFP, although John McGettrick is certain that EDC did in fact consult with the leaders in the Rockaways in choosing potential sites for their terminal

We spoke to City Council Member Carlos Menchaca, who has established a relationship with EDC over the use of the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Sunset Park. He told us that indeed, he will see to it that the community will be heard, regardless of what EDC says.

There will be an Environmental Review Public Scoping Meeting Borough Hall at 6 pm on Monday, September 28. Perhaps the mystery of the Atlantic Basin will be solved by then.