FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2012

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, CROWLEY, SERRANO URGE NEW YORK METROPOLITAN TRANSIT COUNCIL TO APPROVE CRUCIAL $25 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT FOR HUNTS POINT PROJECT

Schumer, Gillibrand, Crowley, Serrano Helped Pass Bi-Partisan Transportation Bill That Could Help Hunts Point Project, Major Priority for NYC that Will Help Revitalize the Bronx, But It Must Be Approved By New York Metropolitan Transit Council

Schumer, Gillibrand, Crowley, Serrano Urge New York’s Local Planning Board to Approve Funding So New York City Can Reach Its Share of Funding in Public- Private Partnership with Local Co-ops

Schumer, Gillibrand, Crowley, Serrano: This is the Final Piece in the Puzzle to Make the Hunts Point Project a Reality

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand and Representatives Joe Crowley and Jose Serrano today urged the New York Metropolitan Transit Council (NYMTC) to give its final stamp of approval to $25 million in federal funding intended for the Hunts Point Project. The funds, made possible through the extension of the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program Schumer, Gillibrand, Crowley and Serrano helped pass in the new transportation bill, must be included by the NYMTC in its Transportation Improvement Plan if it is to become available for Hunts Point in 2013. Schumer today called on the NYMTC to approve this grant in order to help New York City reach its goal of $160 million in public funding to redevelop Hunts Point.

“Hunts Point is the epicenter of New York’s dynamic food industry and investing in the infrastructure to modernize and grow this unique operation is essential for the region’s economy. With this funding, we’ve finally gotten New York City to the finish line in order to meet its funding goals for the Hunts Point project – all we need now is final sign off,” said Schumer.  “I urge the New York City Metropolitan Transit Council to step up to the plate and approve this funding so we can reach our $160 million goal and move forward.”

"I urge the New York Metropolitan Transit Council to move forward and swiftly approve federal funds to redevelop the world’s largest food distribution center,” said Senator Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “Revitalizing Hunts Point will provide long-term economic benefits to the city and we all must take action to move this project forward.”

“The revitalization of the Hunts Point Market will bring many economic benefits to the Bronx community, the city, and the state. This $25 million CMAQ grant will help ease traffic congestion at the Market and reduce air pollution, an effort aimed at renewing the market and improving the overall quality of life for residents in the surrounding community,” said Rep. Joe Crowley. “I urge the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council to approve this project as soon as possible so that the dream of a revitalized Hunts Point Market can finally become a reality.”

“The renovations and upgrades to the Hunts Point Market are essential to keeping the market competitive and keeping its jobs in our community. Federal funding is a key component of making this project a reality,” said Congressman José E. Serrano. “We must ensure that the necessary steps are taken to keep all federal funding sources available, which is why we are urging the NYMTC to place this project on the list of projects they support.”

The $320 million Hunts Point Project, inaugurated by New York City in 2003, aims to redevelop the Hunts Point peninsula in the South Bronx in order to optimize land use, create local employment opportunities, update area infrastructure, and improve traffic safety and efficiency. With the help of the Hunts Point Vision Plan Task Force, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has formulated goals to meet the needs of the approximately 12,000 Hunts Point residents and the wider area. The project in particular aims to renovate and further develop the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center at Hunts Point. The center, which includes the Terminal Produce Market, the Cooperative Meat Market, and the New Fulton Fish Market, is made up of 55 public and private wholesalers, and generates more than $3 billion in sales annually.

Schumer served on the Conference Committee of Senate and House members that were charged with developing a final transportation bill.  The final bill included an extension of the Department of Transportation’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program. The program provides funding to State DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations, and their project sponsors for a growing variety of transportation-environmental projects. This federal grant represents the final piece of a $160 million puzzle of public funds the City wished to provide the Hunts Point project – but the funds cannot be used for the project until the NYMTC gives final approval to the project.

Today, Schumer, Gillibrand, Crowley and Serrano called on NYMTC to include funds within the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in order for the project to continue. The TIP is a list of all proposed New York City projects (or project phases) to receive federal funding that are scheduled to begin in the next four years. If the $25 million from the transportation bill is not incorporated in the TIP schedule, the City will not be able to make use of the important funds that have already been set aside for the redevelopment of Hunts Point. The voting members of NYMTC comprise representatives from across the state. Schumer urged members of the council to unite in support for the Hunts Point project, urging them all to vote in favor of the $25 million in federal funds so that the long-awaited completion of the project can finally be realized.

A copy of their letter is below:

Dear Executive Director Ettinger,

We write to you today in regards to the major Hunts Point redevelopment project and to ask for your assistance in matters related to this exciting initiative. The $320 million Hunts Point Project, inaugurated by New York City in 2003, aims to redevelop the Hunts Point peninsula in the South Bronx in order to optimize land use, create local employment opportunities, update area infrastructure, and improve traffic safety and efficiency. With the help of the Hunts Point Vision Plan Task Force, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) has formulated goals to meet the needs of the approximately 12,000 Hunts Point residents and the wider area.

The project in particular aims to renovate and further develop the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center at Hunts Point. The center, which includes the Terminal Produce Market, the Cooperative Meat Market, and the New Fulton Fish Market, is made up of 55 public and private wholesalers, and generates more than $3 billion in sales annually. It is our belief that this project will spur economic development on the Hunts Point peninsula and in the greater South Bronx and New York City area.

The recent federal transportation bill included an extension of the Department of Transportation’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program. The program provides funding to State DOTs and metropolitan planning organizations, and their project sponsors for a growing variety of transportation-environmental projects. $25 million in CMAQ funding has been granted to pursue the Hunts Point project. This federal grant represents the final piece of a $160 million puzzle of public funds the City wished to provide the Hunts Point project – but the funds cannot be used for the project until the NYMTC gives final approval to the project

As you know, the New York Metropolitan Transit Council (NYMTC)’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a list of all proposed New York City projects to receive federal funding that are scheduled to begin in the next four years. If the $25 million from the transportation bill is not incorporated in the TIP schedule, the City will not be able to make use of the important funds that have already been set aside for the redevelopment of Hunts Point. With the major benefits this project promises to bring to Hunts Point in mind, we urge the members of the council to vote to include this project so that the $25 million in federal funds so that the long-awaited project can finally move forward.

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