Plans to renovate and expand the ACME Smoked Fish Factory and Warehouse in Greenpoint, Brooklyn will officially proceed following approval from the New York City Council.
ACME’s facilities currently occupy a wedge-shaped block at 30 Gem Street and were originally established in 1905. Led by Rubenstein Partners, the expansion will create over 600,000 square feet of new area for the company to bolster production and distribution of smoked and pickled fish products and expand its existing workforce.
“Acme Smoked Fish has been an integral partner in our community now for four generations,” said City Council Member Stephen Levin. “It supports more than one hundred good union jobs and is a great source of pride that Brooklynites share with people all around the world who love their smoked fish products. I’m confident that we reached a plan that will help Acme grow their community presence, while ensuring that this space remains industrial, and a generator of good middle-class jobs for long into the future.”
As previously reported by YIMBY, new building components will include 109,300 square feet of manufacturing and processing area, 545,000 square feet of office and retail area, and a partially covered outdoor terrace spanning 21,400 square feet. The property will also include parking facilities, bike storage, and loading berths.
Gensler served as the design architect.
Rendering of entry plaza at the new ACME Smoked Fish industrial center – Gensler
“We applaud Council Member Levin and his colleagues in the City Council for their approval of this innovative plan that keeps ACME Smoked Fish in Brooklyn, retains more than 100 good, union manufacturing jobs, and paves the way for thousands of more jobs through compatible commercial development,” said Stu Little, the New York City representative for Rubenstein Partners, the project’s developers. “We look forward to getting to work and ensuring that this community-driven plan breaks ground as soon as possible.”
Construction is expected to begin by September 2021. ACME is expected to move into its new home by late 2024, and the full development will be completed by mid-2025.
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As the industrial sections of this community aree rapidly become residential, especially along the nearby waterfront, government must step up to ensure that the odor pollution emanating from Acme production facilities does not increase along with a corresponding increase in these production facilities. There needs to be adequate technological investment by Acme to mitigate this problem. There need to be provisions in place to guarantee that these community protection are a integral part of any expansion plans. And this needs to be addressed NOW, before the expansion takes place n o as an afterthought. Acme needs to be a responsible neighbor, not a bully who threatens to take away its marbles from the game. All too often the history of Greenpoint & Williamsburg has been an unfortunate story of industry’s detrimental effect upon the health, welfare & well-being of the adjacent community. Yes jobs are important, especially jobs for local residents, but the needs of the WHOLE community must be valued – and take priority & precedence – above other narrow concerns and private interests. Employees may work for Acme, but the community needs to LIVE with Acme.
@stan In 1905, Acme and the other industries were the first (developed) use of the area. Folks need to know their neighbors BEFORE they move in and start complaining about them.