Bill de Blasio Acquires Last Needed Site For Bushwick Inlet Park For $160M

Photo credit: 25 Kent/Steelblue; Courtesy of Rubenstein Partners

The first Thanksgiving happened when two divisive groups reached an understanding, and it seems Mayor Bill de Blasio is in the holiday spirit.

The city was finally able to reach a $160M agreement with developer Norm Brodsky to acquire the 11-acre CitiStorage site on the Williamsburg waterfront, giving the city the space needed to make the proposed Bushwick Inlet Park (pictured) a reality.

Brodsky, who bought the site in the early '90s, was initially offered $100M for the site, but he believed the site to be worth more than triple that, and sought as much as $500M. Brodsky tried shopping the site around to developers, but the negative reaction from the community and Councilman Stephen Levin scared off any buyers.

De Blasio called the acquisition “an investment in the future of Brooklyn” and proof his administration keeps its promises.

“When we commit to build a new park or a new school in a growing community, we deliver,” he said.

CPEX Real Estate Services managing partner Tim King tells Bisnow he believes the city paid a fair price for the site and, while it will be some time before the park is completed, it will be a great neighborhood amenity. Rubenstein Partners NYC director Jeremiah Kane believes the park will "take the transformation of the Williamsburg waterfront to the next level."

In March, the city paid the Bayside Fuel Oil Depot $53M for 1 North 12th St, and $4.6M for the 4.75-acre 1 Franklin St. The 28-acre park was announced in 2005 with a $100M price tag. The city has spent close to $500M on the project to date.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's New York Newsletters
Related Stories

How Long Island Projects Can Cut Through Red Tape And Community Opposition To Cross The Finish Line

Empire State Building Observation Deck Hemorrhaging Visitors, Value

Slate, Hudson Cos. Picked To Develop Massive Queens Housing Project

BXP's 343 Madison Lands $1.2B Loan, Nears Deal With Equity Partner

Mamdani Adds Millions To Program Helping Retailers Negotiate With Landlords

Canadian REIT Buys Brooklyn Medical Office For $90M: The N.Y. Deal Sheet

NYC Stops Construction On Another Office-To-Residential Conversion As Inspectors Descend On Job Sites

SL Green Cashing In On Surging Manhattan Office Market

Willy Walker: Data Shows Economic Resilience, Multifamily Rebound

Developers Build More Bedrooms As 99-Unit Projects Dominate

Mamdani Names Anthony Shorris CEO, Lina Khan Chair Of EDC

Landlords Sue Rental Board, Claiming 'Sham Process' Led To Rent Freeze