Due to its sizeable, cheap living and working spaces, Red Hook has become a home to many artists embracing their passion. This large influx of artists in the Red Hook area as well as other organized groups who have put on outdoor shows have brought people brought more people to the area and changed the perception of the neighborhood.

Mary Whalen Vessel

One group trying to incorporate cultural development within Red Hook is Portside New York. By using the neighborhood’s waterfront resources the group was able to stage Puccini’s opera Il Tabarro on the Mary Whalen Vessel in the harbor in 2007.  Other cultural groups such as, the Waterfront Museum and Barge, provides educational programs to help learners understand how New York Harbor can be a space for trade, culture, and leisure. Tom Fox, owner of New York Water Taxi, proposed building a beach as part of his Atlantic Basin redevelopment. The Scholium Project, run by Abe Schoener’s will produce wines made from imported Hudson Valley grapes in Red Hook is also one of many projects that hope to draw more people into the neighborhood for tastings.

The majority of the cultural projects in Red Hook have been designed to maintain and improve the connection of the neighborhood to the waterfront by making an effort to preserve historic waterfront buildings, such as the Mary Whalen vessel and the Railroad Barge. Tom Fox’s project to build a beach is also another way the people of Red Hook will become connected to the waterfront. Even though there are few historic resources on the Basin, Fox’s plans have noted the importance to maintain the connection to seaport commerce and open access to the waterfront.  Furthermore, Tax incentives will also be used to encourage projects that preserve the connection to commerce and public access to the waterfront.

Atlantic Basin Redevelopment

An advantage for Red Hook is that it has many large open spaces to hold cultural events; places such as Coffey Park, Louis Valentino Jr. Pier, Pier 41, and the Beard Street Piers. Theses spaces, publicly and privately owned, provide accessible space near the waterfront for the public to enjoy. In order to maintain this cultural connection to the waterfront and it’s landmarks, it is essential that these places remain open to the public and don’t end up becoming areas for upscale housing. One of the advantages of Red Hook’s abundant open spaces and empty land is that it is beneficial for the needs of businesses that need sports parking trucks. Another is that they can house large cultural events such as the annual Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition spring pier show.

In order for Red Hook to continue to maintain its strong cultural aspects, it has to remain a home for artists within New York City by maintaining affordable housing and working conditions. Furthermore, efforts should be made to control development that may push out those attracted to the area for its industrial nature, waterfront access, and low rents. Red Hook’s cultural assets are enhanced by its ability to continue to attract and retain a diverse population and it is important to maintain this characteristic of the area.

Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition