Introduction to the Plan
Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday that the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center barge in Hunts Point—which previously housed overflow population from Rikers Island jails—will be removed, and the area transformed into a marine terminal connecting to the recently-announced “blue highway” system on the South Bronx waterfront.
The Vision for a New Terminal
Vision for a new marine terminal at Hunts Point, which will be created following removal of the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center barge.
Photo courtesy NYCEDC
At a press conference in front of the barge, Adams said the revamped terminal would reduce truck traffic around the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center by up to 9,000 trips per month, thereby improving health conditions such as asthma for local residents. The project reflects “a whole new concept for how we move goods around the city,” said Andrew Kimball, president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).
Benefits and Impact
Adolfo Carrión Jr., Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce and former Bronx Borough President, joined Adams and Kimball for the announcement and said the barge will soon be gone for good, and planning for the terminal has already begun. The project represents a vision for “empowering and investing in the people of Hunts Point and the Bronx,” said Carrión Jr. In addition to the environmental and public health benefits, the project is expected to generate nearly $4 billion in total economic impact over 30 years, including 100 permanent jobs and 400 construction jobs.
Community Reaction
Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr., who represents Hunts Point, called the project an “economic game-changer.” He said the barge has been a scourge on the Bronx waterfront since it was first used as a jail in the early 1990s. Previous administrations promised to decommission and remove it but never got it done, Salamanca Jr. said. He explained that Monday’s announcement fulfills Adams’ personal promise to Salamanca Jr., having vowed during his mayoral campaign to get rid of the barge and replace it with a project to benefit the borough.
Support for Local Residents
To support the terminal and local residents, the EDC also announced it awarded $1.4 million to create an Economic Mobility Network in Hunts Point. The Greater Hunts Point Economic Development Corporation (GHPEDC) will partner with community groups such as The Point CDC, Rocking the Boat and the Bronx River Alliance to connect Bronxites with good-paying jobs at the Food Distribution Center and in the green economy.
Reaction from Activists
Activists calling for the closure of all Rikers Island jails praised the removal of the barge, while pressuring Adams to close the rest of Rikers as soon as possible. “Like Rikers, the Boat has facilitated mass incarceration and dehumanization. Today’s announcement is a victory for all of our members who have suffered its harms, and raised their voices to call for its closure,” said Darren Mack, Co-Director of Freedom Agenda, said in a statement.
Next Steps
The NYC EDC will now issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a company to handle “responsible disposal” of the barge. Kimball said he expects it to be removed within 60-90 days. Design work has already begun and is expected to be completed by 2020 or 2031, around the same time as the $3.7 billion proposed Brooklyn Marine Terminal, which stretches from Pier 7 at Atlantic Ave. to Pier 12 in Red Hook.
Conclusion
The removal of the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center barge and the creation of a new marine terminal in Hunts Point marks a significant step towards improving the quality of life for Bronx residents and promoting economic development in the area. The project is expected to have a positive impact on the environment, public health, and the local economy, and is a welcome change for a community that has long suffered from the presence of the barge.
FAQs
Q: What will happen to the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center barge?
A: The barge will be removed and disposed of in a responsible manner.
Q: What will replace the barge?
A: A new marine terminal will be built, connecting to the “blue highway” system on the South Bronx waterfront.
Q: What are the expected benefits of the project?
A: The project is expected to reduce truck traffic, improve health conditions, generate nearly $4 billion in total economic impact, and create jobs.
Q: How will the project support local residents?
A: The EDC has awarded $1.4 million to create an Economic Mobility Network in Hunts Point, which will connect Bronxites with good-paying jobs.
Q: What is the timeline for the project?
A: The barge is expected to be removed within 60-90 days, and design work is expected to be completed by 2020 or 2031.
