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Major Investments Propel East New York and Broadway Junction Forward
A few months ago NYC Newswire reported exclusively that the HRA building was almost at completion at Broadway Junction, and now NYC EDC is announcing additional progress, along with RFPs for the project.
The City is making big moves in East New York. NYCEDC and Council Member Sandy Nurse have announced a series of transformative investments that will bring new jobs, revitalized public spaces, and an economic boost to the East New York Industrial Business Zone (IBZ) and Broadway Junction Station Complex. These efforts mark a crucial step in fulfilling the administration’s vision for a more vibrant, economically resilient Brooklyn.
photo credit: NYC NEWSWIRE
From Vision to Action: East New York’s IBZ Gets a Makeover
For years, the East New York IBZ has been underutilized. That’s changing with the release of a multi-site request for proposals (RFP), which invites developers to breathe new life into key properties. The 51,000-square-foot site at 116 Williams Avenue and the 19,000-square-foot paved lot at 173-191 Sackman Street are now available for job-generating and green economy uses. This is in direct response to community feedback, ensuring that the projects align with local needs.
Additionally, NYCEDC has wrapped up a $9 million renovation of the East New York Industrial Building, a key industrial space. Two small M/WBE businesses, Lambo Mechanical and Centsible House, have already signed leases, bringing over 30 new jobs to the area. In a move toward sustainability, NYCEDC is also working with DCAS to activate a 3,500-square-foot vacant lot for Sure We Can, a women-run recyclables redemption facility.
“The release of this RFP is a major opportunity to advance our tireless efforts in sustaining local industrial development and bringing new opportunities for growth in East New York,” said Bill Wilkins, Executive Director of the Local Development Corporation of East New York (LDCENY) & East Brooklyn Business Improvement District (EBBID).
Broadway Junction’s Transformation Begins
photo credit: Sandy Nurse for City Council
Council Member Sandy Nurse, a longtime advocate for the IBZ, echoed this commitment: “Since 2019, I have joined community groups at symposiums, workshops, meetings, and rallies calling for the long-overdue investments owed to East New York and the Industrial Business Zone. Now as a Council Member, I am focused on implementing a shared vision of a green industrial zone where East New York residents can take part, and more importantly, lead in the green economy.”
Broadway Junction, one of Brooklyn’s busiest transit hubs, is getting a long-overdue upgrade. NYCEDC has released an RFP for the design of a new gateway plaza that will create a half-acre of new public open space. The redesign will also involve relocating the NYPD Transit Bureau District 33 station. Streetscape improvements, funded by a $110 million city investment and a $20 million federal RAISE grant, will enhance safety and aesthetics with better lighting, new trees, improved wayfinding, and repaved sidewalks.
“We are excited to advance transformational public spaces at one of the major transit hubs in Brooklyn, an area that thousands of New Yorkers walk through daily,” said Ya-Ting Liu, Chief Public Realm Officer.
Building the Workforce of the Future
Economic revitalization isn’t just about buildings—it’s about people. NYCEDC is establishing a workforce development fund for East Brooklyn, ensuring that local residents benefit from these investments. With an emphasis on green industries and legacy trades, this initiative will connect jobseekers to opportunities in the evolving economy.
Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the significance of these developments: “No matter your zip code, working-class families should have access to good-paying jobs, feel safe in their neighborhoods, and enjoy vibrant, open public spaces. East New York is no exception.”
With these investments, East New York is poised for a future defined by opportunity, sustainability, and growth.
