Brooklyn Bridge Park Marina Rises Amid Choppy Waters
Not every change in Brooklyn Bridge Park is controversial — the recent construction of the park’s One°15 Brooklyn Marina has been met with a remarkable lack of opposition. So far. Located between Piers 4 and 5, just off the picnic area, the $28 million marina will eventually become a thriving aquatic parking spot for roughly 140 boats. It’s another private commercial…
Not every change in Brooklyn Bridge Park is controversial — the recent construction of the park’s One°15 Brooklyn Marina has been met with a remarkable lack of opposition. So far.
Located between Piers 4 and 5, just off the picnic area, the $28 million marina will eventually become a thriving aquatic parking spot for roughly 140 boats. It’s another private commercial enterprise, expected to pay $300,000 a year in rent in addition to contributing 2 percent of revenues to the operation of a community dock with free kayaking and sailing.
Co-owned and operated by Edgewater Resources LLC and Singapore’s SUTL Group, One°15 Brooklyn Marina hasn’t yet posted fees, but as the city renews its interest in the waterfront it’s expected to do a brisk business when it opens next spring.
The initial RFPÂ required the marina to be fiscally feasible, incorporate storm and flood protection, and be as green as possible.
The current nearest marina — North Cove in Battery Park City — has a mere 18 slips and charges roughly $6 per foot for docking boats. The operators of North Cove pay the city $400,000 a year in rent. Docking at Chelsea Piers starts at $5.50 per foot.
One°15 is being built directly above the R train tunnel, so builders must use a unique no-drill construction method to anchor it to the seafloor. This entails sinking 160 enormous concrete blocks — each weighing 10 tons — into the bay and then attaching the blocks to the docks using resilient, bungee-like cables.
To calm the choppy waters caused by the wakes of large passing ships, the company ordered a concrete breakwater system from Finland.
If there are any complaints, the first will probably be aesthetic. The docks will certainly clutter-up what was previously a lovely expanse of water, giving picnickers a less picturesque view. But perhaps increased access to water activities will be adequate compensation.
A side-by-side of a rendering of the marina and a photo of the same area today
It’s also worth noting that no one will be allowed to live aboard their boats — it’s a rule of the parks department, excepting the 79th Street marina in Manhattan. Maybe BBP’s controversy curse only applies to housing? Or land?
[Sources: WSJ | BBP Financial Model  Update | Rendering: Edgewater Resources | Photos: Barbara Eldredge]
Related Stories
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Economic Study Pessimistic About Empire Stores and 1Hotel
Should Pier 6 Towers Be Snuffed? Park Can Get Funding From Tax-Exempt Bonds
Check Out Brooklyn Nets Star Thaddeus Young’s $5.4 Million Pad in Brooklyn Bridge Park
I’m writing a story about the Brooklyn Marina. Does anyone want have their views of the project included in my story? If you’ve signed up for a membership, I’d like to talk to you too. My email is rlb398@nyu.edu.
Location, location, location