Electeds finally reach out to PA regarding Pier 9 concerts

We just received a copy of a letter signed by Brad Lander, Joan Millman, Jerry Nadler and Carlos Menchaca regarding the new idea that the Port Authority has. They are renting out parts of the Containerport for disco shows and rock concerts. This is because they are under the gun for subsidizing the Red Hook Containerport LLC, (RHCT), and the RHCC, which is partly composed of Phoenix Beverage, is now allowed to rent space to garbage trucks and rock and roll promoters.

There is a VERY important meeting on the 17th of CB6’s Park Committee at which the Port Authority will make a presentation about this, and hopefully answer questions. This meeting is at the Miccio Center and starts at 6:30 PM. Also on the agenda is the proposal to build a bathroom at Valentino Pier.

Here is the letter:
September 16, 2014
Patrick J. Foye
Executive Director
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
225 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10003

Greg Brayman
Vice President for Operations
Phoenix Beverage / RHCT
70 Hamilton Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11231

Dear Mr. Foye and Mr. Brayman:

We are writing to express our concern about the growing use of the Red Hook Container  Terminal as a large-scale event venue. We have concerns about the appropriateness of these
events for RHCT, where the community supports continued maritime commerce. We ask that you cease permitting such events without Community Board review.

Our offices were made aware by Community Board 6 of a private party sponsored by Absolut Vodka that was held Friday, September 12 that planned to draw 1500 attendees. Only a few days notification was given to the Community Board.

Of even greater concern is the upcoming Escape Music Festival, a rave planned for Pier 9B on October 11th and 12th, 2014. This event is reportedly expected to draw over 16,000 attendees over the course of two days. We believe this large-scale event should have required community approval, that tickets were sold without final approval from the Port Authority or the community, and that it will be a significant inconvenience for the Port’s neighbors.

As the only terminal in the state located east of the Hudson River, RHCT has long been an economic staple in the Brooklyn waterfront. We strongly support the terminal’s continued maritime uses, and we are grateful to represent a community that embraces a working industrial port adjacent to their neighborhood. Our constituents understand and are willing to accept the challenges associated with living near a working port, including increased traffic and emissions.

However, we feel strongly that neighboring communities should not also be burdened by the difficulties that large-scale festivals and raves bring, including high pedestrian traffic, potential substantial alcohol and drug use, and extremely loud amplified sound. While bringing these significant headaches, the events provide no economic or other benefit to the community.

Moreover, we believe that holding events like these undermines the day-to-day maritime and industrial activity of the port. There are many uses that would pay more rent than maritime
commerce; we hold the port in public ownership precisely because we want to protect those maritime and industrial uses.

While events on Port Authority property are not subject to public review, we request that the application for Escape Music Festival undergo a Community Board approval process. We request that the operator work closely with us and Community Board 6 to ensure that, should the event be approved, community needs are considered, including utilizing local vendors and providing solutions for anticipated problems.

Thank you for your consideration of these requests and we look forward to working with you to address these important community issues. Should you have any questions, please contact Catherine Zinnel in Council Member Brad Lander’s office at 718-499-1090.

Sincerely,
Brad Lander

Jerrold Nadler

Daniel Squadron

New York State Senator

Joan L. Millman
New York State Assembly Member
Carlos Menchaca
New York City Council Member