Made in New York (MiNY) North Campus Project Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS)

Project Description

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), in coordination with the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), proposes to preserve, rehabilitate and repurpose the northern portion of the existing City-owned Bush Terminal Campus in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY in order to create the Made in New York (MiNY) North Campus. The MiNY campus is intended to help synergize creative manufacturing uses by providing affordable, best in-class industrial facilities for garment manufacturing, film and media production, and related services and industries. Noise and air quality assessments were conducted to support a City Environmental Quality Review (CEQR) Environmental Assessment Statement (EAS) prepared for the project.

Noise monitoring was performed in accordance with CEQR Technical Manual guidelines to determine existing noise levels in the study area. Mobile and stationary source screenings were performed to evaluate the potential for noise impacts from operation of the project. The mobile source screening analysis employed the CEQR Passenger Car Equivalence (PCE) method at two intersections. PCEs would not double along any project-affected routes; therefore, the Proposed Action would not result in perceivable changes in noise levels from additional traffic generation. Further, it was assumed that any updated or new rooftop mechanical equipment would be designed and placed to comply with the provisions of the New York City Noise Code. However, since the project would relocate existing loading docks, such that Bush Terminal Piers Park would have a direct line of site to this stationary source, a more refined screening was performed using a reference sound power level from the SoundPLAN model for truck loading. Based on the refined screening, the relocation of truck bay doors at Unit C would not adversely affect users of Bush Terminal Piers Park.

A mobile source air quality screening was performed in which predicted auto and truck trips generated by the project were compared to applicable CEQR screening thresholds for the area in Brooklyn in which the project is located. Since project-generated vehicular trips would not exceed these thresholds, further assessment of mobile sources of CO and PM2.5 were not warranted. Since the project would upgrade utilities in five buildings, a stationary source air quality screening using CEQR screening nomographs was not appropriate. Rather, the USEPA’s AERMOD model was utilized to identify cumulative concentrations from simultaneous operation of all five HVAC systems at discrete receptor locations. HVAC systems would utilize natural gas; therefore, the primary pollutant of concern was NO2. Results of the HVAC assessment concluded that concentrations would not exceed one-hour or annual NO2 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Screenings for nearby industrial sources or major emissions sources were not warranted since the proposed project would not create a new sensitive use (e.g. hospitals, schools, residences).

A qualitative review and discussion of on-site construction noise and air quality sources was performed. A CEQR PCE noise screening was performed for off-site construction-generated vehicle trips at six intersections. Construction-generated vehicle trips were also compared to CEQR auto and truck trip thresholds for air quality related to off-site mobile sources.