BROOKLYN — Empire State Development Corporation chairman Pat Foye announced Monday that Regina Myer has been named president of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, which oversees the creation and construction of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Ms. Myer is expected to start in two weeks.
The Eagle first reported Myer was offered the job of president two weeks ago.
“Regina’s extensive background in planning, her deep knowledge of Brooklyn and her distinguished accomplishments in the borough’s development make her the ideal person to lead the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation (BBPDC) as the park enters the crucial initial construction phase,” said Foye. “We are excited to have her spearhead this landmark project.”
As president, Myer will oversee all aspects of the agency, a subsidiary of the Empire State Development Corporation, including planning, development and construction for the planned 85-acre park, as well as staffing and budgeting.
“I feel honored to have this opportunity to build a park that will mean so much to residents of Brooklyn, New York City and the entire state, opening up the Brooklyn waterfront to the public for the first time in more than a century,” said Myer in a prepared statement. “I greatly appreciate the state and city’s confidence and will work hard to ensure that the project realizes its potential as a grand destination for city residents and visitors.”
Most recently, Myer has been senior vice president for planning and design at the Hudson Yards Development Corporation, where she managed planning for future use of Manhattan’s West Side rail yards site, and established design processes for Hudson Yards’ open space and pedestrian areas. Before that, she spent more than 20 years in the New York City Planning Department, the last eight as director of the Brooklyn office.
In that post, Ms. Myer directed all aspects of the comprehensive redevelopment for two miles of the Williamsburg/Greenpoint waterfront and adjoining neighborhoods, the first major waterfront initiative for Brooklyn. She is also a longtime Brooklyn resident.
The park would stretch approximately 1.3 miles along the East River from Atlantic Avenue to north of the Manhattan Bridge, and would be the first major park built in Brooklyn since Prospect Park.
According to ESDC spokesman A.J. Carter, the city and state have been meeting to finalize a revised budget as the project nears construction. The Eagle reported in June that many insiders felt the $153 million allocated for the park’s construction was drastically under budget for a project that would convert five industrial piers into green space, considering that at least $30 million had already been spent prior to construction. The original budget from 2004 also did not include all of the piers.
The ESDC is currently conducting an audit on the park, said Carter.
According to the agency, the first phase will be site preparation, archeological surveys and demolition of the pier sheds and structures on the uplands area. Planning for the programmatic uses of the park is currently under review with input from the Brooklyn Bridge Conservancy and the community. Once construction begins, BBPDC will review the development sites and determine release dates for the Request for Proposals, including the Empire Stores.
“After decades of advocacy and years of planning, we are poised to begin the actual construction of Brooklyn Bridge Park. Regina brings an impressive track record in planning and economic development in New York City and a deep commitment to Brooklyn to this endeavor,” said Daniel L. Doctoroff, New York City deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding.
© Brooklyn Daily Eagle 2007
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