Port Richmond-Mariners Harbor Brownfield Opportunity Area Study

Staten Island, NY

Clients: Northfield Community LDC / New York State Department of State / WXY

2017-2019

Download the Step 2 Nomination Report 

Working to revitalize a culturally dynamic section of Staten Island’s North Shore, Being Here helped create a consensus-driven visioning process focused on the waterfront communities of Port Richmond and Mariners Harbor. Collaborating with lead consultant WXY and the project team, Being Here was responsible for community outreach initiatives, which included a year-long series of public and steering committee meetings as well as two dozen meetings with local businesses, property owners, and other stakeholders reflecting the area’s maritime heritage and thriving waterfront industry.

Being Here also served as lead author of the resulting Step 2 Nomination Report for the New York State Department of State’s Brownfield Opportunity Area program. The report identified local priorities such as community health and well-being, the creation of affordable housing, protection of neighborhood character, and reconnection to the area’s historic livelihood as a commercial center and working waterfront. Six strategic sites were presented as case studies for community-supported redevelopment of brownfield or potentially contaminated sites across the study area. These scenarios will help guide the client, public agencies, and private partners as they seek to capitalize on revitalization opportunities.

At a time of growing inequality, the project offers fresh thinking about equitable development, public space activation, and new neighborhood anchors that can fuel catalytic renewal to benefit both existing and future residents.