The Sunset Park waterfront has long served industry, but the evolving needs of modern manufacturing and local residents called for a new approach. This adaptable plan supports logistics and wayfinding while improving public access, allowing shipping trucks, small businesses, and park-goers to safely share the same space.

We developed a comprehensive master plan for both Bush Terminal and the Brooklyn Army Terminal, combining circulation analysis, public realm design, and operational feasibility into one actionable vision. To balance freight and foot traffic, we created a sitewide visual system using bold yellow striping, high-contrast signage, and clear demarcation for pedestrians, cyclists, and trucks.

Key connector streets, like 35th, 43rd, 51st, and 58th, were reimagined as pedestrian-friendly corridors linking the neighborhood to the water. Stepped seating edges, multi-use ramps, and green buffers turn loading zones into usable public spaces without interrupting industrial operations. The plan also includes detailed guidance on constructability, cost, and phasing to move quickly from concept to implementation.

The Sunset Park Activation Plan builds on our Sunset Park Brownfield Opportunity Area Plan to reshape the waterfront, blending industrial activity with public space to benefit the community and local businesses.

The Activation Plan repositioned over 39 hectares of waterfront space and set the stage for major developments, including the MADE in NY campus and 22-acre shoreline park, the largest brownfield remediation grant in New York State history. Together, these projects are projected to eliminate 70,000 truck trips annually, reduce CO₂ emissions by 5,000 tons, and create or induce up to 11,000 jobs.

The Brooklyn Army Terminal now supports over 100 businesses and 4,000 employees with improved access, new amenities, and safer, more connected open space. By aligning industrial performance with placemaking and sustainability, the plan has turned underused infrastructure into a model for job-intensive, environmentally sound redevelopment.