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IKEA may be getting a lot more crowded.
A new proposal from the construction group AECOM is hoping to massively redevelop the Brooklyn neighborhood Red Hook. One of the main obstacles in the way of building up the waterfront neighborhood has always been its lack of transportation options. Not only does the BQE cut the area off from the rest of Brooklyn, but the neighborhood noticeably lacks any subway stations.
However, the engineering firm released a plan today that calls for 45 million new square feet of real estate in the area as well as the construction of a branch of the IRT connecting with the southern end of the 1 train. On top of adding 50,000 new units of housing and 1.8 additional miles of public waterfront access, the enticing vision would also bring new greenways, a marina and pedestrian corridor to the neighborhood.
At first glance, it may seem as if the AECOM proposal is just another head-in-the-clouds proposal to change the city like the futuristic designs for a new Penn Station or the East River Skyway. As Gothamist notes, however, the firm is actually a real player in NYC development. It’s senior vice president was also formerly an executive at Port Authority.
On the other hand, building just one new subway station in NYC these days can be a pretty Herculean feat. For now, Red Hook residents may be better off putting their hopes in future above-ground transportation options.
You can see AECOM’s full proposal for redeveloping the waterfront hood here.
Rendering: Courtesy AECOM
Rendering: Courtesy AECOM
Rendering: Courtesy AECOM