New York City Expanding Film and TV Production

Deadline reports that New York City is expanding its film and TV production facilities by moving forward with a new property in Brooklyn. The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and the New York City Economic Development Corporation are taking proposals to develop almost 200,000 square feet of waterfront real estate in Sunset Part. They’re hoping to build a campus at Bush Terminal with the city’s “Made in New York” brand, focused on film and TV production, sound recording, media production, and related services and industries.

Proposals are due on November 2. They have to meet goals like maximizing quality jobs, focusing on local hiring and “incorporating design excellence” into the building. They will show preference to proposals that have agendas of gender equity, diversity, and inclusion in film, TV, and media production. Bush Terminal is 36-acres and employs 500 workers. It’s expected to add 1,500 new workers starting in 2020. The MiNY Campus will be next to Bush Terminal Piers Park, which opened in 2014 and features a new southern entrance.

Sunset Park isn’t far from Staten Island and seven miles south from the expansion in Brooklyn’s northeast edge. Steiner Studios and others were built in the 2000s. The MiNY campus was announced initially in 2017 and will turn Bush Terminal in the a location for garment manufacturing, media production, and supporting industries. This will also include renovations to several existing buildings to create almost 200,000 square feet of garment manufacturing space. It will have more space for “flexible, modern light industrial uses, as well as streetscape improvements, and significant utility upgrades.”

Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen said: “New York City’s film and TV sector draws talent from around the world – and creates thousands of good-paying jobs here across the boroughs. The Made in New York Campus will open a new chapter in this success story, by providing a state-of-the-art home base for 1,500 professionals. And we’re making sure that this campus will provide opportunities for everyone by requiring that proposals focus on local hiring, gender equity, and promoting diversity and inclusion.”

NYCEDC President and CEO James Patchett added: “We’re thrilled to transform Bush Terminal into the first-ever Made in New York Campus. These state-of-the-art facilities will provide space for TV/film and media production and garment manufacturing. Through this effort, we will create quality jobs, help advance gender equity, diversity and inclusion in the media production industry, and strengthen the local Sunset Park community.”

Commissioner of Media and Entertainment Julie Menin said: “Film and television production in the five boroughs has been expanding rapidly over the last few years. Not only will the Made in NY Campus ensure that TV and filmmakers have more production space and resources, and that more New Yorkers have access to the well-paying production jobs, it will increase gender equity and diversity in this growing industry.“