Nautical-Focused Middle School Planned For Red Hook

RED HOOK, BROOKLYN — City officials are planning a nautical-focused middle school for Red Hook that would serve as a feeder to The Harbor School on Governor's Island.

The School Construction Authority on Tuesday night presented preliminary plans for Harbor Middle School to a public meeting to give an update on the project to community members and take their feedback.

The 640-seat school is slated to go in on a vacant, 60,000 square-foot lot bounded by Richards, Verona and Delevan streets in the neighborhood. It will be open to all students in District 15, which encompasses Sunset Park, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill and Red Hook.

The Harbor School "provides a college and career preparatory education built upon New York City’s maritime experience that instills in students the ethics of environmental stewardship and the skills associated with careers on the water," according to its website.

District 15's middle school superintendent, Anita Skop, said the school's curriculum is well-rounded and prepares kids for jobs and studies beyond life on the water.

"Children who are skilled in maritime should be skilled in every aspect," she said. "This is not just a vocational opportunity."

She said, though, that students would learn about certain concepts through a maritime lens, such as studying New York City's history through its relationship with its waterfront.

The idea for the school started with State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, who wanted a school program to prepare kids for maritime careers.

The city does not own the lot yet but is in talks with the current owner to buy it, according to Tamar Smith, the community relations manager for the School Construction Authority.

"Right now we’re in negotiations with the owner," Smith said, adding that there are no plans right now to use eminent domain to acquire the property.

Residents asked about transportation in an area with few public options and said teachers need a dedicated parking garage so they don't take up all of the already scarce spaces in the area.

Smith stressed that the school planning is in its very early stages. If all goes smoothly, the school likely wouldn't open for another four years or so at the earliest, she said.

The next step in the process is for the School Construction Authority to take feedback from the community. That comment period ends December 23. Anyone who wants to share ideas or concerns about the school can email sites@nycsa.org.

Photo by Marc Torrence, Patch