Council cited economic and infrastructure improvements. On October 13, 2004,’ the Council approved the development of a 346,000 sq.ft. Ikea furniture store on the 22-acre waterfront of Red Hook, Brooklyn, by a vote of 50 to 1. The development includes a 6.3-acre esplanade/bikeway and an additional 70,000 sq.ft. of restaurant and retail space. Ikea forecasts that the project will create 500-600 jobs and potential employment for Red Hook residents.
Red Hook Council Member Sara Gonzalez spearheaded the Council’s effort to pass the resolution, arguing that Ikea will revitalize the community and spur economic growth. Council Member Charles Barron, representing a neighboring Brooklyn district, was the only member to vote in opposition to the project, stating that Ikea would not solve the community’s problems because there were no guarantees that it would significantly increase employment or share profits with the community.
In addition to the furniture store and waterfront esplanade, Ikea also committed to fund major transportation modifications that will alter the traffic infrastructure surrounding the development site. These modifications include eliminating the existing merge lanes from the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway exit ramps; creating dedicated lanes leading into Hamilton Avenue and dedicated turn lanes from Hamilton Avenue into Smith Street leading to the Ikea entrance; and implementing a free ferry line from Manhattan and a free shuttle service from several Brooklyn subways.
For the Planning Commission’s consideration and ULURP process, see 1 CityLand 5 (October 15, 2004).
Council Res. Nos. 641-645 (October 13, 2004)(Ikea Red Hook) ; CPC Cal. Nos. 27-31, C 030412 MMK (city map amendment), C 030413 ZMK (map amendment), C 030414 ZSK (special permit for use), C 030415 ZSK (special permit for height), N 030416 ZAK (modify waterfront controls) (September 8, 2004) (Red Hook Ikea: Jesse Masyr, Ray Levin, Ethan Goodman, Wachtel and Masyr; Sam Schwartz, Erich Arcement, Michael Barelli, Jee Mee Kim, Sam Schwartz, LLC; James Bry, Lee Weintraub, Greenberg Farrow Architects) . CITYADMIN