CHA BMT Update: April 18, 2025

Posted on by Cobble Hill Association

This page contains the most recent updates on the Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) Waterfront Redevelopment Project, broken out into the following categories:

Recap: April 3rd BMT Neighborhood Meeting

Our April 3rd BMT Neighborhood Meeting was a huge success. Nearly 60 people joined us in person, with another 30 tuning in via Zoom, to hear project updates, raise concerns, and get questions answered by the CHA.

We were also joined by Congressman Dan Goldman, who chairs the BMT Task Force, and Councilmember Shahana Hanif, a fellow Task Force member — both of whom engaged directly with the community.

The BK Reader published a solid recap of the meeting, and for those who couldn’t attend (or want a refresher), you can scroll through the presentation slides below. The full Zoom recording is also available here — note: we forgot to turn off screen share, so while you won’t see faces, you’ll hear the full discussion.

The BMT Task Force Timeline

In order to advance to the next stage of the General Project Plan (GPP) process, the BMT Task Force must approve a Vision Plan by 2/3rds vote. While we previously shared that the Task Force vote would not happen on April 11, it was unclear how much additional time we’d have. We now know the vote is expected in mid-June.

This extension gives us valuable time — and we intend to use it by demanding clarity on the financial model and advocating for stronger commitments on housing, transportation, governance, and community engagement.

As we stated at the April 3rd meeting, the Cobble Hill Association does not approve of the current plans shown to the Task Force and at this time is a “no” vote. But we are committed to working collaboratively with our fellow Task Force members and the EDC to shape a proposal that reflects the priorities of our community.

Housing and Open Space

The slide below compares the current proposal for housing and open space at the BMT site with the version presented in January 2025. In BMT North (Columbia Street between Degraw Street and Atlantic Avenue), we’ve seen the following changes:

  • The total number of housing units in BMT North has been reduced by 448 (from 4,248 to 3,800),
  • The number of affordable units has increased by 268 (from 1,062 to 1,330), and
  • The proposed open space has more than doubled, growing from 7.5 acres to 16 acres.

These shifts are a direct result of community advocacy. There is more to be done to address density, the quantity of affordable housing, and the ratio open space/public realm to housing. We’re proud of the progress — and committed to ensuring the final plan truly meets the needs of our neighborhood.

Transit and Street Design

The CHA, along with other Task Force and Advisory Group members, pushed back against the “Spine road” — a proposed through-street on the BMT site that would have allowed cars and trucks to exit onto Atlantic Avenue. We do not want to replicate the problems seen on Hicks, Clinton, and Columbia Streets by adding another parallel roadway. This would have created a new pinch point at an already dangerous intersection and encouraged more vehicles to bypass the trench and cut through local streets.

While alternative street proposals are still under review, EDC is no longer proposing a road that exits onto Atlantic Avenue — and that’s a win for pedestrian safety and neighborhood livability. In addition, we continue to advocate for the areas around Van Voorhees Park and the many on and off ramps to the BQE that cause safety issues and concerns.

In response to continued advocacy, EDC is also incorporating more public transit improvements. While some transit elements remain outside of EDC’s control (more on that below), the agency has now committed to specific upgrades, including:

  • Increased frequency and expanded hours for the NYC Ferry, and
  • Funding for a shuttle to the subway.

These are direct results of community feedback and collective pressure — and show that our engagement is making a difference.

Points of Agreement (POA)

In addition to the site plan, EDC has introduced a Points of Agreement (POA) document, which will be included in the Task Force vote in mid-June. The POA will formalize community commitments and establish the governance structure for the BMT site. The POA will also provide greater clarity around plans for resiliency, open space, Blue Highway infrastructure, and other long-term priorities.

While the POA won’t address every challenge, it is a critical tool for mitigating negative impacts and securing enforceable commitments. The CHA is actively engaged in shaping both the content of this document and the broader process moving forward.

Resiliency

The most recent Task Force presentation deck includes resiliency plans for mitigation of storm surge and surge events. The CHA is encouraged by the progress and continues to push EDC to adopt measures that protect the existing community, not just future development.

We are also urging EDC to take a more comprehensive approach to climate resilience — one that considers not only flooding, but also other climate-related risks like extreme heat and the urban heat island effect. The CHA is urging that climate resiliency be a core consideration across the entire site—from the port and buildings to the public realm—ensuring that every element not only withstands climate impacts but actively contributes to protecting the surrounding community.