Sunset Park Councilman Could Back Amazon Moving To Neighborhood

SUNSET PARK, BROOKLYN — As New York City puts together its pitch to Amazon for the company's second headquarters, Sunset Park is emerging as one of the likely destination should it come to the area.

The city's Economic Development Corporation is creating a formal bid to the massive online retailer, which it said it would submit by Oct. 19. Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams has unveiled a "Brooklyn Prime" pitch to the company urging a move to his borough.

Sunset Park's industrial spaces along the waterfront, including the 6.5 million square-foot Industry City complex, make it one of the few locations in the city that could even accommodate Amazon's spacial demands.

Patch spoke on Wednesday to City Councilman Carlos Menchaca, who represents the neighborhood, to get his thoughts on a possible deal to bring the company to Sunset Park. Menchaca offered few specifics about what he'd like to see but said he could support a move.

"I'm supportive of any company that’s going to come to Sunset Park and make an investment in the community that we're fighting for every single day," he told Patch. "The antithesis to that is that I'll fight the mayor and anyone who says no to that."

Among the things he said he's fighting for in the neighborhood, and would want to see from such a big company arriving, are local hiring, connecting with the diverse communities in the area and adapting for climate change.

"I’m looking for them to integrate themselves into a community that not only has a vision but is very clear about its vision. That is what we’re welcoming, their spirit to make that adjustment and their integration into our community" he said.

"We've got a song, we've got a beat, and they've got to align to our vision. And that’s the message to any company that comes here."

Industry City, for its part, hasn't shied away from its desire to woo Amazon to its facility, which offers gym space, lightning-fast internet and boutique food venders as part of its complex on the waterfront.

"As the southern anchor of Brooklyn’s Innovation Coast, Industry City is certainly enthused by the opportunity to support the city’s effort to attract Amazon’s HQ2 to New York City," spokesman Lee Silberstein told the Village Voice. "And as home to a growing number of innovation economy businesses, Industry City could offer a lot to Amazon."

But activist groups in the neighborhood, such as UPROSE, aren't so happy about the possibility, as the Village Voice details.

"They’re trying to create Williamsburg in Sunset Park," the group's executive director, Elizabeth Yeampierre, told the Voice about recent changes in the neighborhood. "They’re not involving the community in any of these decisions."

Of course, Amazon bringing its headquarters, and an estimated 50,000 new jobs, to the area would be a big change for the area. But Menchaca said change is going to happen regardless, and he wants to make sure it's done the right way.

"Remember that change is going to happen, and it is happening," he said. "Our role is a community is to direct that change for the betterment of the community. And that's what we’re going to do with anyone. Amazon or not."

Image: Patch file photo