Grassroots BMT protest group rises

On an unseasonably warm November evening, a group of community members — some prompted by a blurb in a Voices of the Waterfront email — gathered at the Carroll Gardens Association to discuss the controversial Brooklyn Marine Terminal (BMT) project.

Residents of Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Red Hook and surrounding neighborhoods voiced their concerns and ideas surrounding the Economic Development Corporation’s (EDC) plan, which was approved by vote in September 2025.

“The Brooklyn Marine Terminal is in a critical next phase,” said the VOW newsletter. “Decisions made in the coming weeks will shape our waterfront for generations.”

I arrived a little before 7 p.m. for the group’s first meeting and was quickly greeted by locals who gave me insight into their personal experiences with the BMT and the EDC. Many were organizers who had previously participated in advocacy groups that challenged the EDC “Vision Plan.” Since the plan was approved in 2025, there seems to be an impression within the wider community that the fight is over; this group, still fledgling but passionate, asserts that is not the case.

Once the home to commercial industry, Red Hook has become one of the coolest neighborhoods in New York City. The EDC has finally figured out how to turn much of the working waterfront into large residential high-rise buildings, overlooking the river, with million dollar waterfront views.

The plan is not popular with locals. Many of our readers feel as though the BMT project was thrust upon them – something they never wanted.

Despite the public notice in the VOW newsletter, I was asked not to write about what went on at the meeting, or even name the participants. So I will respect their wishes. As I ended up becoming a participant myself, I will simply say that those who showed up are trying to figure out how to tell the city to leave us alone.

Another meeting was held at the same venue, 201 Columbia Street, on Sunday, November 8 at 2 p.m.

We hope that future meetings will be open and transparent to the press, so that their progress will be known to all.