MAYOR GIULIANI ADDRESSES BROOKLYN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Highlights Increased Economic Development, Lower Crime And New Job Growth In Brooklyn
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani delivered the keynote address at the 79th Annual Membership Meeting of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce today at The Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn. This is the fourth time in as many years that the Mayor has addressed the group.
"It's great to be back home in Brooklyn," said Mayor Giuliani. "With crime down, economic development up and job growth on the rise, it's no wonder Brooklyn is still such a great place to live. Between 1993 and 1996, over 6,300 jobs were created in Brooklyn. I've always said that job creation is the best social program, because when you create jobs, crime goes down, spending goes up, and communities come together. Since 1993, overall crime in Brooklyn has declined 40 percent, and so far this year we've seen a further decline of more than 10 percent compared to last year at the same time.
"Brooklyn's parks and streets are also cleaner today then ever before, adding to the improved quality of life Brooklynites enjoy today. And economic development has flourished over the past four years, including breaking ground for the Atlantic Retail Center and the Renaissance Plaza." the Mayor concluded.
Atlantic Retail Center -- Opened in 1996, this 400,000-square-foot development, at the corner of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues, will create more than 1,300 new retail jobs. The retail development is part of a $200 million residential and commercial project on a 24-acre, City-owned site. Once proposed as the site for the new Ebbets Field for the Brooklyn Dodgers, today it is home to major retailers such as Caldor, Pathmark, Kids "R" Us, Old Navy, Office Max, The Sports Authority, House and Homes Stores, Party City and Marshalls.
Brooklyn Renaissance Plaza -- This 31-story office building will include 809,280-square-feet of office space, a 384-room Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, and a 1,074 car garage. This is the first hotel to be built in Brooklyn in over 50 years. The hotel will create an additional 400 jobs, with the garage and remaining offices adding another 100 positions. In addition, the Empire Insurance Group will move into the facility, bringing another 736 jobs to Brooklyn.
Metrotech Center -- This 17-acre, 10-block complex will soon house the headquarters of the New York City Fire Department. Its 1,500 employees will occupy ten floors. Metrotech Center also provides space for The Chase Manhattan Bank, Brooklyn Union, Bear Stearns, Polytech, and the City's 911 headquarters.
Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center -- In April 1994, the City sold the 100-year-old Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center (GMDC), at 1155 Manhattan Avenue, to GMDC Local Development Corporation (LDC). The City sold the property and the LDC utilized funds from City-assisted programs for the rehabilitation and environmental clean-up of the 360,000 square-foot, eight building industrial complex. The GMDC is now back on the City tax rolls and is home to 68 City manufacturers and 360 manufacturing jobs.
Gerritsen Beach Library -- The City managed the construction of the new Gerritsen Beach Branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. The waterfront library replaces the community's 860 square-foot storefront library.
Pier 4 at the Brooklyn Army Terminal -- This past March, ferry service began at the newly reconstructed Pier 4, providing Brooklyn residents a 10-minute commute to lower Manhattan.
"Brooklyn is a special place with a remarkable past," the Mayor said. "The Chamber of Commerce has helped Brooklyn's past come alive by embracing its future. Brooklyn has always succeeded because it has thousands of people with unique energy, creativity, drive and independent spirit. We realize that those who are eager and willing to work hard can make things happen. We've seen this throughout New York and we continue to see it through the new economic developments in Brooklyn."
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