Developer Doug Steiner will build a new 500,000 s/f film and television studio in Sunset Park.
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and
the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) announced this morning
that the Brooklyn-based soundstage operator new movie production hub will bring
thousands of media, entertainment and construction jobs to the Made in New York
Campus at Bush Terminal in Sunset Park.
It will include eight new soundstages, gut-renovations of
two historic buildings, and a new parking facility.
Steiner will complete the adjacent Bush Terminal Piers Park,
build a new playground designed with community input, and contribute $25,000
annually to recreational programming in the park.
“Making sure that New York City’s economic recovery is both
robust and fair requires us to couple investments in high-growth industries
with demonstrated programs that increase workforce equity and inclusion,” said
Vicki Been, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates that New York City
remains a hub for both industry investment and economic opportunity. Thank you
to New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Mayor’s Office for Media
and Entertainment, and Steiner Studios for their commitment to helping to bring
economic opportunities to the City that are diverse and accessible to all New
Yorkers.”
In addition to creating thousands of jobs and new public
open space, this project will focus on investing in the local workforce and on
advancing diversity and equity in the media and entertainment industry through
the following investments:
$50,000 per year to advance opportunities in media and
entertainment to New Yorkers of color and women through MOME’s highly
successful Made in NY Production Assistant and Made in NY Post-Production
job-training programs, ensuring that an additional 25 to 30 participants a year
gain work experience, training, and connections to jobs.
$250,000 over 10
years to a non-profit organization supporting gender equity, diversity and
inclusion in the New York City film and television production industry.
Providing free office or classroom space for one or more
non-profits that advance racial equity, diversity and inclusion in the
production industry.
Creation of a new, offsite local program for high school
students to train for jobs in the production industry, with up to $50,000
towards its establishment, plus $25,000 per year for resources and programming
and school year internship opportunities.
A summer internship program that will include two paid
10-week positions, focusing in the areas of stage operations, lighting and
grip, and production facilities management. These will be filled through local
community organizations.
Steiner Studios expects to support 2,200 jobs upon project
completion, including set builders, electricians, scenic artists, grips,
propmasters, set dressers, hair and make-up artists, and costume designers.
The investment is also expected to create at least 1,800 temporary construction jobs and comes with a goal of 25 percent participation rate by Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises. Steiner Studios will also be required to recruit qualified candidates from the local community through NYCEDC’s HireNYC program.
“Businesses are not only here to stay, they are doubling
down on building their future right here in New York City,” said James
Patchett, President and CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation.
“Today’s significant investment by Steiner Studios
represents a major milestone for both Sunset Park and the City. This project
will bring thousands of locally-accessible and family-supporting jobs, expand
training opportunities for New Yorkers, and bring greater equity and
inclusivity to the media production industry. As we continue to focus on our
economic recovery and building a more equitable New York, private sector
partnerships like these will play a critical role.”
“This new production hub builds on the City’s commitment to
increasing access and opportunities for New Yorkers in the film and television
industry with expanded soundstage facilities and centers for skilled job
training and talent development,” said Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office
of Media and Entertainment, Anne del Castillo. “Situated alongside tech and
garment manufacturing in the heart of the Made in NY Campus, the new facilities
with added soundstage space will strengthen our local industry and raise the
city’s profile as a global creative capital.”
“TV production is a thriving industry in New York, and this
project helps jump-start the city’s economic recovery and growth,” said Doug
Steiner, Chairman of Steiner Studios. “We’re beyond thrilled to have been selected,
and to bring 2,200 high-paying jobs and opportunities to Bush Terminal.”
In 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Made in New York
Campus at Bush Terminal, including garment manufacturing, film/TV/media
production and other light manufacturing and significant upgrades to the north
campus.
NYCEDC started construction on the garment hub renovation
and north campus upgrades in February 2020. Construction was temporarily paused
due to COVID-19 but has resumed as of July 2020.
In advance of today’s announcement, NYCEDC signed a
pre-development agreement with Steiner Studios for a long-term ground lease. In
addition to the more-than-$320-million in private investment, the City of New
York will contribute approximately $15 million towards site preparation work.
Steiner Studios, founded in 2004, will continue to operate
its 780,000 s/f film and television production facility on 50 acres in the
historic Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Its affiliate Steiner NYC recently developed Admirals Row, a
686,000 s/f mixed-used project which includes the first Wegmans Supermarket in
New York City, and “Hub,” a 55-story, 750-rental unit building which
is the tallest completed building in Brooklyn and includes 150 units dedicated
to low and middle income tenants.
