New York Power Authority Provides Funds for Grand Ferry Park in Williamsburg

Contacts
Joe Leary
 914-390-8187
joe.leary@nypa.gov

Luis Rodriguez
718-626-8239
luis.rodriguez@nypa.gov

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President Zeltmann's remarks

June 10, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROOKLYN—Eugene W. Zeltmann, president and chief executive officer of the New York Power Authority (NYPA), Thursday presented a contribution of $300,000 towards improvements to Grand Ferry Park in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn.  The donation was accepted by Parks & Recreation Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Julius Spiegel. 

“The Power Authority, with strong support from Governor George E. Pataki, has a long-standing tradition of commitment to the communities neighboring our facilities throughout the state, which we continue here today,” said Zeltmann.  “Williamsburg will now have a revitalized Grand Ferry Park to be enjoyed as an oasis from the commotion of the city by today’s families and future generations.”

The park improvements will be developed and overseen by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation in cooperation with Community Board 1.  The park is on waterfront property with a magnificent view of lower Manhattan.  It can accommodate fishing, picnics and informal recreational activities. 

“We are pleased to be working with the New York Power Authority and Community Board 1 to enhance this well used waterfront park,” said New York City Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Under the leadership of Mayor Bloomberg, increasing public access to New York City’s waterfront is one the Parks Department’s top priorities.”

Recent NYPA projects in Williamsburg include converting the paint application process at Tri-Boro Shelving Company from spray to a state-of-the-art baked-powder coating process which virtually eliminates airborne emissions, and providing a clean electric-powered school bus to the United Talmudical Academy.  In addition, NYPA has installed fuel cells at two waste water treatment facilities in Brooklyn, which are providing a clean source of energy to help power these facilities.  NYPA will also be equipping 1,000 school buses with emissions controls and helping pay for cleaner fuel for nearly 2,800 school buses in Brooklyn and throughout the city.  The Power Authority’s active involvement in Governor Pataki’s Power for Jobs program has created and protected over 9,200 jobs by supplying lower-cost electricity to 28 companies throughout Brooklyn. 

“In the borough of Brooklyn alone, NYPA has invested more than $116 million in energy-efficiency projects at nearly 270 public facilities.  By using less energy these projects help save taxpayer’s dollars on energy costs, protect the environment by reducing emissions and make the air cleaner to breathe.” said Zeltmann.  “We’ve also provided a number of emission-free electric vehicles in Brooklyn—including a Ford Th!nk neighbor now being used by Community Board 1 with another in service at two Brooklyn parks.”

The decision to fund the enhancements at Grand Ferry Park was the outcome of extensive discussions between the Power Authority and Community Board 1, particularly Board Chairman Vincent Abate, District Manager Jerry Esposito and member Debra Masters. 

“The patience and attention to detail shown by the members of Community Board 1 demonstrates their ability as strong, capable voices of their community, which allowed them the foresight to develop this exciting park project that will benefit the entire community,” Zeltmann added.