News Summary
New York City plans to replace the decommissioned Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center with a new marine terminal at Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. The facility, aimed at reducing congestion, is expected to enhance freight transport via waterways. Slated to begin operations by the end of 2025, the terminal will facilitate wholesale distribution, eliminate truck trips, improve air quality, and create jobs, marking a significant development in sustainable logistics in the region.
New York – New York City will replace the decommissioned Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center, known as the jail barge, with a new marine terminal at the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in The Bronx. Announced by Con Agg Global and the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), the new facility aims to reduce roadway congestion and enhance sustainable freight transport via the city’s waterways.
Operations at the marine terminal are set to begin by the end of 2025, pending additional approvals for the permanent facility. It is anticipated that the terminal will facilitate wholesale food and beverage distribution, benefiting the Hunts Point hub and the wider NYC metropolitan area. The project aims to eliminate approximately 1,000 truck trips per month in the South Bronx, significantly alleviating traffic and improving air quality in the region.
The new facility will be located adjacent to the well-known Fulton Fish Market within the existing food distribution center, marking a strategic development in the area. Its design features modular deployment capabilities, allowing it to handle various types of cargo, including bulk aggregates and micro-freight. This design approach is inspired by efficient European freight systems, which have been successfully employed at local construction sites, such as those on Governors Island and at JFK Airport.
The terminal’s modular pier configuration and inland barge design by Con Agg Global aim to provide scalable shipping solutions, enhancing connectivity between Hunts Point and other maritime terminals like Downtown Skyport. This new infrastructure is a key part of the city’s Blue Highways initiative, which seeks to increase water-based cargo transport and improve freight logistics throughout NYC.
The project has garnered significant investment, with backing from equity investors BDT & MSD Partners, along with shareholder William J. Sandbrook. An initial investment of $28 million has been allocated towards improving waterfront access and extending bike paths as part of the FY 2026 budget. The project is projected to generate an estimated $3.9 billion in economic impact over the next 30 years, highlighting its potential to boost the local economy.
Construction of the terminal will create around 400 temporary jobs and 100 permanent positions, contributing to local employment. Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson emphasized the project’s importance as a model for sustainable freight movement that enhances community health by improving air quality.
The removal of the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center is an integral aspect of the broader redevelopment plan for the area. In addition to creating the new marine terminal, the project will include comprehensive remediation efforts to address site pollution, with completion expected by 2027. Community input will play a vital role in the design and planning phases to ensure the project meets local needs and expectations.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing both transportation challenges and environmental concerns in NYC, promising to enhance the efficiency of freight transport while promoting sustainability in the city’s logistics network.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- New York YIMBY: New Blue Highways Facility in Hunts Point
- Wikipedia: Freight Transport
- ENR: Marine Terminal Planned for Former Floating Jail Site
- Google Search: Marine Terminal Bronx
- Baird Maritime: NYC to Replace Floating Jail with New Freight Terminal
- Google Scholar: Hunts Point Marine Freight Terminal
- NY Daily News: NYC to Remove Bain Center Jail Barge
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Marine Transportation
- WorkBoat: New York to Build Marine Freight Hub at Bronx Jail Barge Site
- Google News: Hunts Point Logistics
