Governor Hochul funds Brooklyn hangar renovation with $10 million

Residents of Brooklyn will soon have access to two historic hangars that have been closed to the public for decades. On Monday, Nov. 2, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC) announced that Governor Kathy Hochul committed $10 million to reactivate Hangars 3 and 4 at Floyd Bennett Field. This funding marks the first major state investment in the interior of these specific structures.

The new state money supplements a separate $26 million investment from the National Park Service. That federal grant was used to repair the exterior of the buildings. The $10 million from the state will allow the conservancy to work on the interiors. This effort will prepare nearly 50,000 square feet of historic space for public use. The hangars will open for the first time since they were built nearly a century ago.

Terri Carta, the executive director of the JBRPC, said the boost enables the first phase of the adaptive reuse project. She stated that the funding results in an open building and public programs. The project aims to turn the hangars into a year-round destination. The site is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area.

Floyd Bennett Field has a deep history in New York aviation. It served as the city's first municipal airport. It later became the busiest U.S. Naval Air Station during World War II. Famous pilots used the airfield, including Amelia Earhart, Howard Hughes, and John Glenn. Today, the site is a national park with hundreds of acres of natural areas. It offers opportunities for camping, kayaking, and fishing.

The JBRPC is leading the restoration effort. It works in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State, and the City University of New York. A growing network of not-for-profits also participates in the project. The plans include education, workforce development, and environmental research. The space will also host arts, culture, and community gatherings.

The conservancy expressed gratitude to the governor for the financial commitment. The group noted that the state recognized the potential of the field. The $10 million is a distinct addition to the existing federal funds. It specifically targets the interior renovation that the federal grant did not cover. The work will transform the space into a new platform for experiencing Jamaica Bay.