City invites industrial development plans for Bush Terminal.

New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is seeking proposals for the acquisition and redevelopment of a portion of the Bush Terminal complex in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

The EDC is requesting proposals from industrial businesses and qualified developers with a strong track record in industrial development for the approximately 130,000 s/f site. Preference will be given to proposals that create employment-intensive industrial uses such as manufacturing and fabrication.

Proposals may be submitted for the entire site, or for a minimum of 40,000 s/f of the parcel. There are currently three buildings on the site (Buildings 39, 40 and 45) which the selected developer will be responsible for demolishing.

"The project that results from this RFP, when combined with other projects existing or planned for the area, will enhance the existing and planned industrial uses in Sunset Park," said EDC president Robert C. Leiber. "By providing modern, efficient space for employment-intensive manufacturers and fabricators to grow and prosper, we will keep these highly desirable jobs in the City."

"We are making good on Mayor Bloomberg's pledge to use City-owned industrial land to spur development for the sector," said Carl Hum, director of the Mayor's Office of Industrial and Manufacturing Businesses. "I'm particularly pleased that Bush Terminal--in the thriving industrial neighborhood of Sunset Park--is benefiting from the investment the City has made in this area over the past several years. It results in stable places for industrial firms to do business and support well-paying jobs."

The development site is bounded by 43rd Street on the north, the 51st Street Railyard on the east, 47th Street on the south and the Bush Terminal Piers to the west. A limited use, run-around track runs along the eastern boundary of the site. EDC is planning to relocate the spur closer to other rail tracks to improve circulation and access to the site. If the selected developer proposes extensive rail use, EDC will consider keeping the direct rail access to the site.

To the north of the site are Bush Terminal Units B, C, and D, three industrial loft buildings for which EDC issued an RFP in summer 2006. Plans were recently announced to establish Bush Terminal Piers Open Space, an 18-acre park to be located just southwest of the site. Substantial investment is anticipated at Pier 6 to the west of the site in preparation for its use for cement distribution. The remainder of Bush Terminal, from 47th Street to 51st Street, will be re-developed for industrial uses.

Additional industrial uses are being developed in other areas of Sunset Park. At the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT), the Axis Group plans to operate a 74-acre facility to handle a diverse mix of cargos, and process automobiles for wholesale distribution in the U.S. and abroad. Axis will invest $44 million for the construction and maintenance of the facility. Sims Hugo Neu is finalizing a lease with the City to establish a $25 million, state-of-the-art recycling facility on the 29th Street Pier within SBMT.

Developers of the site will be required to seek at minimum LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Respondents are also encouraged to submit Minority and Woman-owned Enterprise and Local Hiring and Utilization Plans.