Nadler, Velazquez likely to oppose Brooklyn port rezonings

As the city wrestles with questions over the future of its industrial zones, Mayor Bill de Blasio met Monday with Representatives Jerrold Nadler and Nydia Velazquez, who represent the districts containing Industry City and the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal and are seen as opposing any non-industrial site uses.

Jamestown Properties and its investment partners, the owners of Industry City, have proposed a $1 billion redevelopment plan for the facility if the city will rezone to its specifications, including allowing two hotels.

At the city-owned South Brooklyn Marine terminal, a proposal for a $115 million redevelopment project has been stalled until de Blasio and City Council member Carlos Menchaca work through a dispute over who will control it.

While Nadler and Velazquez have no formal control over the future of the sites, their influence could play into the outcome, according to Crain’s. Nadler has championed rail freight, maritime shipping, and ports, and doesn’t necessarily see some of Industry City’s target tenants as meeting his definition of manufacturing. Velazquez, similarly, would like to see the sites preserved for traditional manufacturing uses.

“Rep. Nadler has long worked to preserve and grow manufacturing and industrial jobs in Sunset Park, including protecting the Industry City site itself,” a Nadler spokesperson said in a statement. “Our efforts in this regard—in conjunction with the other elected officials representing Sunset Park’s waterfront area—have been largely focused on reactivating maritime/industrial uses at South Brooklyn Marine Terminal.”

An Industry City spokesperson said they looked forward to working with Nadler toward common goals of creating jobs for the community. [Crain’s] — Tess Hofmann