Master plan sought for Brooklyn’s downtown-Navy Yard-DUMBO tech triangle

July 19, 2012 By Linda Collins Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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A master plan is being sought that will lay the foundation to support the new Brooklyn Tech Triangle — from Downtown Brooklyn to DUMBO and the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

The Brooklyn Tech Triangle Coalition has issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking a multi-disciplinary team to create an area-wide master plan providing solutions to physical constraints and transportation and infrastructure issues.

The coalition — including the Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP), the DUMBO Improvement District (DIB) and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp. (BNYDC) — recently conducted an economic impact study of the tech sector and found that it employs 9,628 people, generates $3.1 billion of economic output and is poised to nearly double over the next three years.

To nurture the growth of existing tech companies and continue to attract more, the chosen team will conduct an in-depth study and accomplish the following objectives:

• Placemaking: To better link DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn and the Navy Yard through physical improvements;

• Land Use: To develop implementable land use strategy in each area for growing the tech sector;

• Transportation and Infrastructure: To improve transportation within the triangle and its surrounding communities and ensure that the existing office product can accommodate the needs of tech companies; and

• Real Estate and Economic Policy: To create an ecosystem of companies both small and large and survey best practices of workforce development programs aimed at increasing local participation in the tech sector for all skill and education levels.

“As the technology era of Brooklyn takes shape, this is an opportunity for a planning team to help lay the groundwork that will usher in a new age of Brooklyn’s economy,” said Tucker Reed, DBP president. “With a variety of office spaces both large and small, world-class academic and cultural institutions, and a vibrant shopping and dining district, there is no better place to continue to grow the tech industry than right here in Downtown Brooklyn.”

Added Andrew Kimball, president and CEO of the BNYDC, “Whether it’s computer operated machinery, film post-production, or high-end design, 21st century manufacturing at the Navy Yard is being driven by technology innovation.

“Our growth is only confined by the lack of space and access to mass transit.”

An information session for prospective respondents will take place on Friday, July 20, at the DBP office in MetroTech. Proposals are due by Friday, Aug. 10.

For a copy of the RFP, please visit www.brooklyntechtriangle.com.