Good afternoon.

My name is Tiffany-Ann Taylor, and I’m the Vice President for Transportation at the Regional Plan Association, a 100+ year old civic organization working toward a more resilient New York City metropolitan region.

I am here to testify today on behalf of RPA in support of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Port Authority and the New York City Economic Development Corporation to exchange ownership of the Brooklyn-Port Marine Terminal and Howland Hook Marine Terminal.

As someone who has previously worked for the City of New York in freight and passenger transportation policy and economic development, I am pleased to offer support for the approval of this memorandum and the implementation of this project. RPA is particularly excited to see the city take on complete ownership of the Red Hook Container Terminal (RHCT). This exchange further underscores the Adam’s Administration’s commitment to investing in freight infrastructure and sustainable goods movement. As a regional entity, we recognize that investing in RHCT isn’t just about bolstering a single terminal; it’s about investing in the future resilience and prosperity of our city and region.

Approximately every 25 years, RPA releases a Regional Plan to help guide the growth and development of the tri-state metropolitan region. In our Fourth Regional Plan released in 2017, RPA recommended closing the outdated facility and consolidating its infrastructure into other ports in New Jersey and Staten Island. At the time, that seemed to be the most logical solution while still aligning with our recommendations to reduce truck congestion and create more space for urban parks, housing and commercial space.

However, with the impacts of the pandemic, the implementation of the soon-to-be successful congestion pricing program, and the slow transition to more sustainable transportation options to meet local climate goals– we now recognize RHTC’s substantial contribution to regional goods movement and its necessity. We enthusiastically support creative solutions like this MOU to accommodate future economic development and preservation of the working waterfront. This is undoubtedly the right path forward.

The Port Authority assuming control of Howland Hook Container Terminal (HHCT) is also a win for our region. Combined with the $200M investment from the terminal’s operator, the site will be transformed with modern facilities and expand in capacity which will allow for more sustainable goods movement in our region

These enhancements will enable HHCT to remain competitive with cargo demand forecasted to surge in the coming decades, keeping goods flowing. The operator has also committed to contracting goals for minority-owned, women-owned, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and to maximizing the use of locally owned businesses. HHCT and RHCT are important elements in the ecosystem of ports in New York and New Jersey.

This partnership is a massive step forward in improving the quality and efficiency of our container ports and doing so in an environmentally sound way to keep up with global commerce patterns.

Thank you.