Brisk activity at Navy yard

Real Estate Weekly, June 8, 1994

In an indication of continued strong leasing activity, the Brooklyn Navy Yard received seven new tenants during the first quarter of 1994, it was announced by Elizabeth Colon, president of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC). In addition, seven existing tenants have undertaken expansions of their current operations at the yard. Altogether, these 14 enterprises employ 120 workers, providing jobs for the surrounding community, and expanding the area's revitalization.

Perched on the East River, the Brooklyn Navy Yard has strengthen the return of an industry once thought extinct in the New York Harbor - ship building and repair. Current Navy Yard tenant Seacoast Marine Services will expand its marine salvage and ship repair operations, leasing a 200 linear-foot berth and an additional 5,000 square feet of open space. Further revitalizing the New Yard 's maritime activities, Eastern Technical Enterprises, a Virginia-based ship building and ship repair company with operations at the Navy Yard, has been awarded a $9.4 million contract to restore and convert the Harkhess to a nautical school for the Maine Maritime Academy.

The seven new tenants represent a diversity of technological and manufacturing interests. The largest new tenant, Advanced Technological Solutions, Inc. (ATS), is a manufacturer of computers employing over 230 workers in the area. The employee-owned, minority business enterprise is the successor firm to the IBM facility in Brooklyn. ATS employs six workers at the Navy Yard and will occupy 63,000 square feet of space.

ATS will be joined by another large new tenant, New York Crane and Equipment Corporation, a supplier of hydraulic cranes and construction equipment. New York Crane has purchased the assets of former Queens-based Santoro Construction and will relocate to the Navy Yard to occupy 29,000 square-feet of space, employing over 50 workers.

Colon said, "In total, the Navy Yard has absorbed nearly 136,200 square feet of space during the first quarter of 1994. With an aggressive marketing and tenant outreach program, the Navy Yard will continue to bolster itself as an enterprise incubator, providing economic opportunities to tenants and jobs for the surrounding community."

The Brooklyn Navy Yard, once one of the largest military facilities in America, was converted to a civilian industrial complex in the mid-1960s. With 4.3 million square feet of usable space, the Navy Yard is home of over 200 enterprises ranging in size from 500 to 50,000 square feet and employing over 3,300 workers. The Brooklyn Navy Yard also maintains six dry-docks and four piers active with maritime industrial uses. With an occupancy rate in excess of 90 percent, the Navy Yard has demonstrated the viability of military facilities in transition under public guidance. First quarter leasing activity is detailed below:

Advanced Technological Solutions, Inc., an employee-owned computer manufacturer employing six workers, leased 63,000 square feet of space.

New York Crane and Equipment Corporation, a supplier of hydraulic cranes and construction equipment employing 50 workers, leased 29,000 square feet of space.

Aurore Reinicke Associates, a woman-owned start-up enterprise in commercial design employing two workers, leased 1,200 square feet of space.

BlaCast Entertainment, a minority-and woman-owned business enterprise diversified in the distribution of music videos and natural beverages (Motherland Products), employs three workers and will occupy 950 square feet of space.

International SyntheCon, L.I.C., a laboratory in the production of chemical for clinical and medical research employing three workers, will be occupying approximately 2,3000 square feet of space.

Kaplan Brothers, a wholesale distributor of sweaters employing three workers, will be occupying 1,800 square feet of space.

M&P Woodworking, Inc., a custom cabinet maker employing four workers is moving from elsewhere to Brooklyn to double the size of its facility.

Royal Supply Company, a distributor of general household merchandise employing eight workers, will occupy 18,800 square feet of space. Current tenant expansions include: Seacoast Marine Services, Inc., a marine salvage and ship repair operation employing two workers, will expand operations to occupy an additional 5,000 square feet of open space plus a 200 linear-foot shipping berth.

Royal Medical Supply Company, a distributor of medical supplies employing 15 workers, will expand operations to occupy an additional 650 square feet of space.

A. Braun Company, a manufacturer and distributor of men's fashion accessories, will move within the Navy Yard's facilities to occupy 2,400 square feet of space - an expansion of 500 square feet. Braun employs two workers.

A.W. Electronics, Inc., a remanufacturer and distributor of electronic products and appliances, will renew its lease and expand operations to occupy a total of 5,900 square feet of space - an addition of 2,300 square feet, they employ five workers at the Navy Yard.