More Seed Money to Help
Turn Waterfront Green

July 11, 2005

BY GARY BUISO
PARK SLOPE COURRIER

The Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway project was recently injected with a $25,000 boost, funds that will help further the cause of the ambitious $50 million project.

The money came from a grant from the Merck Family Fund, and is expected to go toward building the non-profit organization behind the project, the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative (BGI).

"It's an organizational complement to the planning work that's already been done," BGI Chairman Brian McCormick said.

The plan, drafted by BGI and Regional Plan Association, calls for the construction of a 14-mile waterfront path, stretching from Newtown Creek in Greenpoint to the existing Shore Parkway Greenway in Bay Ridge. Cyclists, pedestrians and all manner of non-vehicular traffic will be welcome along the greenway, planners said.

Earlier this year, Rep. Nydia Velazquez secured $18 million for the project over a six year period. That money is expected to help with the construction of large sections of the greenway, which is forced to be realized in piecemeal since there is no single property owner along the entirety of the waterfront. That means BGI must secure rights of way on property owned by a host of entities, both public and private.

The project's construction could begin in one to two years, BGI officials have said.

Milton, Mass. based Merck Family Fund was created in 1954 by George Merck, president of the pharmaceutical giant Merck and Co.

The fund provides grants to non-profit organizations across the country. This is the second year the Merck Family Fund has supported the BGI.

Milton Puryear, BGI's director of planning, said Merck recognizes that "the growth of the organization is the key to the success of the project."

Brooklyn Greenway Initiative was incorporated as a non-profit organization last year.

McCormick said that most borough residents have been left alienated from the waterfront.

"Residents of Brooklyn have not had the opportunity to experience their waterfront in over 100 years. Our role is the catalyst, the metaphorical rudder of the boat to get together all the divergent interests and have them embrace unified, public access to the waterfront," he said.