New York City officials approved a $3.5 billion Brooklyn Marine Terminal redevelopment plan, setting the stage for a dramatic transformation of the city’s waterfront. The development, spanning 122 acres in Red Hook, would yield a modern, all-electric maritime port supplemented by a mixed-use community, public open space, and commercial and industrial space.
The plan is for a 60-acre ocean hub intended to house waterborne freight, remove traffic from city roads, and include climate-resilient facilities. It will contain a minimum of 6,000 housing units, 40% of which will be permanently affordable, and approximately 28 acres of additional waterfront parks and access. Industrial and commercial space will be more than 550,000 square feet, made available at lower rents to foster local industry and maritime uses.
Economic projections
City economic projections estimate the redevelopment will generate $18 billion in economic activity and 37,000 construction jobs, with 2,000 permanent employment in residential, industrial, maritime, and commercial industries. The BMT strategy also encompasses education and workforce initiatives, including a maritime career readiness program and a world-class experiential learning center, with the aim of connecting local residents to emerging industries.
Infrastructure upgrades are a central element of the plan. The strategies are high site construction to resist sea level rise, 100-year storm floodwalls, and also on-site stormwater management. Transit upgrades will focus on pedestrians and public transportation, with improved ferry service, bus priority roads, and electric shuttle transfers designed to increase intra- and inter-neighborhood mobility.
Brooklyn Marine Terminal Development Corporation
The redevelopment will be managed by a newly established Brooklyn Marine Terminal Development Corporation. A public corporation tasked with ensuring phased implementation, financial feasibility, and ongoing community outreach. At the same time, the New York City Economic Development Corporation plans to issue a Request for Expressions of Interest to identify port operators and maritime experts who can upgrade operations at the facility.
The BMT Vision Plan is grounded in more than one year of community and stakeholder input. From more than 4,200 residents and 47 public events, ranging from workshops to town halls. Feedback from these meetings informed some of the most important elements, such as greater waterfront access, green port design, and workforce and housing commitments.
The redevelopment is part of the city’s broader “Harbor of the Future” and Blue Highways strategy. Which aims to shift freight onto waterways, create tens of thousands of jobs, and power New York City’s green economy. Initial investments in the terminal amount to $418 million in city, state, and federal money. Funds will finance port electrification, pier repairs, and new cargo-handling equipment, kicking off a multi-year transformation of one of the city’s aging industrial sites
Additionally, this projects follows other major development in NYC. On June 9, 2025, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced plans to replace the decommissioned Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center barge in Hunts Point with a new marine terminal. This initiative aims to enhance freight distribution by utilizing waterways for the final delivery phase, thereby reducing truck congestion and emissions.
Brooklyn Marine Terminal Redevelopment Plan – Key Factsheet
Location: Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY
Site Area: 122 acres
Port: 60-acre all-electric maritime hub with water-to-water freight access
Housing: 6,000 units (40% permanently affordable)
Open Space: 28+ acres of public parks and waterfront access
Industrial/Commercial Space: 275,000+ sq ft industrial; 275,000+ sq ft commercial
Community Facilities: 250,000+ sq ft (schools, cultural spaces, workforce centers)
Economic Impact: $18 billion
Jobs: 37,000 construction; 2,000 permanent
Infrastructure Upgrades: Climate resilience, floodwalls, stormwater management, pedestrian-first streets, enhanced public transit
Governance: Brooklyn Marine Terminal Development Corporation oversees phased implementation
Funding: $418 million from city, state, and federal sources
