Due to Sunset Park’s history of industrial uses and many years of neglect, a large concentration of brownfields exists in the neighborhood. The strategic location of Sunset Park’s BOA—close to the water, a major highway, and three subway lines—appeals to a variety of industrial and commercial uses.

In particular, the area is especially suited to host manufacturing firms that require infrastructure, connectivity to regional transportation networks and access to a skilled workforce. WXY’s community-based BOA Study centered on identification of brownfield sites and transformation to productive uses.

The planning effort establishes a clear vision and road map for the redevelopment of currently underutilized sites within the BOA. The project team completed a detailed existing conditions assessment and community engagement process to frame a set of recommendations and implementable strategies, addressing Sunset Park’s challenges and capitalizing on its assets for revitalization.

Furthermore, Sunset Park is currently part of two borough-wide initiatives: Brooklyn’s Greenway Corridor and the NYC BOA Community Resilience Initiative East River Industrial Corridor Pilot. These initiatives provide further support to revitalize the waterfront into an active industrial area.