Congressman Jerrold Nadler today announced that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has approved a comprehensive lease renewal deal for American Stevedoring International (ASI) to continue operations at the Red Hook Container Port for the next 10 years. The approval occurred at today's Port Authority annual meeting. 

Rep. Nadler applauded the efforts of the Port Authority, the Governor David Paterson, and others for delivering this important deal for New York and the region, ending more than four years of debate about the Brooklyn port’s future.

ASI's previous lease expired in April 2007, and it was proposed years before that the port be rezoned from its historic role as a working waterfront.  With the key assistance of the City Council and other elected officials, however, the Port Authority and the Office of the Governor worked to preserve maritime operations at the port, maintaining hundreds of jobs and a major economic and strategic asset for the City.

"By finally extending this long-term lease we have saved the only remaining east-of-the-Hudson port in New York and more than 600 jobs, protected a more efficient method of moving goods in the region, and laid the groundwork for significant economic development for the future," said Rep. Nadler.  "In particular, I want to laud the Herculean efforts of Governor David Paterson and the Port Authority for getting this deal done.  We also could not have reached this goal without the critical support of Council Speaker Quinn as well as Council Members David Yassky, Sara Gonzalez, Jessica Lappin, and Mike Nelson, Senator Chuck Schumer, Controller William Thompson, Public Advocate Besty Gotbaum, Congressmemembers Anthony Weiner and Nydia Velasquez, and the many other elected officials who represent the area. Teamsters Local 805, Central Labor Council and the Working Families Party also deserve a substantial share of the credit for their work in saving the port."

"Not only will this agreement protect hundreds of jobs and a vital industry in Brooklyn for years to come, the positive impact on our environment and economy will be felt for generations," Rep. Nadler added.  "The Port Authority wisely understands the importance of this port, and deserves recognition for nurturing this growing piece of our economy."

"For years, the Brooklyn Port has been a vibrant and necessary part of Brooklyn's economy," said local Council Member Yassky.  "As we grow and the need for jobs and freight increases, it is heartening to know that the port will be around for years to come."

"Today's agreement is exactly the kind of forward thinking by our government that we will need to deal with the influx of one million more New Yorkers over the next 25 years," said Council Member Lappin, chair of the Council's land use committee on maritime uses.  "This deal to keep the Brooklyn port open could also not have come at a better time for the City's economy, which desperately needs the boost a booming port business can provide. I am extremely pleased that the working waterfront will continue to work."

"There are hundreds of workers who can celebrate today because their jobs are safe at the Brooklyn port," said Sandy Pope, President of Teamsters Local 805 which represents the stevedores at the container port. "These well-paying blue-collar jobs are exactly the kind we need for the working families of this City. Thank you to the Port Authority and Gov. Patterson for protecting them and giving us the opportunity to add even more jobs for New Yorkers."