Brooklyn Marine Terminal

On behalf of the City of New York and New York State, the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is leading a planning study to transform the underutilized site into a world-class hub for both industrial uses and residential development, reversing 50 years of disinvestment and decay. The BMT Vision Plan aims to create a new all-electric port that fuels job growth and industry innovation while reducing transportation emissions by shifting freight and deliveries from trucks to water-based “Blue Highways.” 

Redeveloping the BMT is a key piece of this visionary, nascent initiative, which has the potential to be both environmentally and financially sustainable. At the same time, optimizing the program of the long-neglected site yields space for myriad other benefits, such as new public open space throughout the site; affordable and market-rate housing; neighborhood amenities; improved site circulation; and robust climate resilience measures to address flooding and extreme weather.

The passing of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal Vision Plan is a historic, transformative investment in New York City’s economic future—unlocking thousands of jobs, modernizing critical infrastructure, and creating a resilient, mixed-use waterfront that drives inclusive growth.–Andrew Kimball, President & CEO, NYCEDC

While the historic port had been a bustling hub of commerce for the first century of its existence—from the mid-19th century until the Post-WWII era—the global shift to container vessels larger than BMT’s berths led to the port’s decline by the 1960s. After decades of deferred maintenance, only half of the site is in use, with only three of its seven piers used for maritime purposes. In a blockbuster land swap with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the City and State have gained control of BMT and NYCEDC enlisted a consultant team to explore the possibilities for modernization and redevelopment.

Working closely with team co-lead Buro Happold and with additional support from WXY and SCAPE, ONE led the urban design of this ambitious effort to unlock a key piece of New York City’s Blue Highways plan to shift freight and deliveries off its roads and onto its waterways. After decades of neglect and underutilization, the BMT has incredible potential for revitalization as a consolidated urban hub for waterborne logistics through a few key interventions: Reconfiguring finger piers as a more functional marginal pier and creating a new central spine to alleviate traffic and circulation issues. Alongside a first-of-its-kind micromobility lane—in addition to a conventional greenway—increased ferry and bus service will improve access to the passenger ferries and cruise ships that currently operate from two of the piers.

To complement the major capital investment in infrastructure upgrades, which include resiliency measures that protect against climate change and sea level rise, nearly a quarter of the site will be allocated to public open space, including a new greenway and over 5,000 linear feet of waterfront access throughout the entire site. A series of green spaces will extend Brooklyn Bridge Park, reconnecting adjacent communities to the waterfront, while a new park along the Pier 11 cruise terminal also affords direct access to the water.

In addition to restoring and reactivating these functions, the BMT site also yields significant space for mixed-use development to address a citywide housing shortage, adding thousands of housing units, including an unprecedented 40 percent permanently affordable units. And to ensure that these investments can withstand projected sea level rise and increasingly intense weather events, a state-of-the art coastal resilience system will not only protect the site but also upland communities well into the next century.

In September 2025, the BMT Task Force approved the Vision Plan in a 17-to-8 vote, initiating a 15-year development framework that outlines future land use including public open space; housing development and affordability; sitewide climate resilience; transportation and infrastructure improvements; and economic development, including maritime and industrial uses.