Release #122-97

Contact:Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958, Deirdra L. Picou (212) 788-2971, Bernadette O'Leary (212) 312-3523 (EDC)

COMMUTER FERRY SERVICE RESUMES BETWEEN BROOKLYN ARMY TERMINAL AND LOWER MANHATTAN

GIULIANI ADMINISTRATION FULFILLS PROMISE TO RESTART SERVICE SWIFTLY

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani announced today that ferry service from Pier 4 at the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT), in Sunset Park, to Pier 11 in Lower Manhattan will start on Friday, March 14, 1997. The route replaces service that was available at Brooklyn's 69th Street Pier until the City closed that pier for safety reasons three months ago.

"We made the commitment to expedite the relocation of the 69th Street service because it is such an important means of transportation for Brooklyn residents. This ferry service provides residents with an easier commute, less traffic and ultimately, a better environment," said Mayor Giuliani.

Mayor Giuliani has encouraged the use of ferries for commuting purposes. There are now 12 ferry routes throughout the City and two additional seasonal ferry routes, one to Yankee Stadium and another around Lower Manhattan.

Express Navigation, a ferry-operating company, will run the service from the newly renovated BAT Pier 4 at 58th Street and 1st Avenue in Brooklyn. Ferries will leave on weekdays from Brooklyn to Manhattan at 8:10 AM, 8:40 AM and 11 AM and from Manhattan to Brooklyn at 8:20 AM., 10:30 AM, 4:50 PM and 6:40 PM. The trip takes an average of 10 minutes, one-third the time of the average rush hour commute by car and subway between the two points.

The company had been using the 69th Street Pier as its Brooklyn docking site, but the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) closed the area and suspended service approximately three months ago when it determined that the facility was unsafe due to marine borer damage. As the City succeeds in its efforts to clean the New York Harbor, the marine borers -- sea organisms that feed on the piers' wood -- have been gaining strength and doing more damage.

Pier 4 was reconstructed with precast concrete pilings and a composite deck. Additional landscaping work is ongoing at the pier, including the installation of waterfront railings, benches, bike racks and light poles and the completion of a 488-space parking lot. One-third of the pier is now open to the public; the remainder of the pier will be open later this summer.

EDC is the City's primary vehicle for economic development services. Using its real estate and financial resources, EDC helps develop business and create jobs throughout the five boroughs.

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