Red Hook is a neighborhood in Southwest Brooklyn that is surrounded by the Upper New York Bay. The Dutch in the 17th century named it for the color of its soil and its shape. Since the peninsula is surrounded by the Buttermilk Channel, Gowanus Bay and Canal, it was once a thriving port (NY Mag). However, Red Hook has been suffering and is only known businesses are its large Ikea and Fairway, a poor indicator of its economic health. Red Hook is also plagued with inefficient transit system and poor housing projects. Recently, Hurricane Sandy has made the neighborhood’s economic sustainability even more volatile. Since Red Hook is characterized as a manufacturing zone and cut off from the rest of Brooklyn by the Gowanus Expressway, its economic stagnation is attributed not only to its history of providing impoverished housing projects, but to the poor urban planning. As manufacturing ports moved from Red Hook to New Jersey, its only economy was abandoned, leaving it to become a neighborhood that could not economically sustain itself. To better understand contemporary Red Hook, this paper will examine its history, economics, government, and culture.

Located in the southwestern corner of Brooklyn, the neighborhood of Red Hook boasts a long and tumultuous history. It was for one, the place where Al Capone started his mobster career.  The neighborhood is surrounded by water on three sides and by the Gowanus Parkway as well as the Battery Tunnel on the fourth. Originally called Red Hook because of its rusted colored soil and the shape of land that protrudes from the coast of Brooklyn.

The earliest notable property owners in Red Hook were brothers Nicholas and Matthias Van Dye. These two were farmers that constructed two mills on their property, which were powered by the creeks. One was a ginger mill, while the other was a flourmill. Large-scale projects began to take place in Red Hook in the 1830s because of its close location to the busy docks of Manhattan and the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. The Red Hook Building Company which was led by local Brooklyn developer Colonel Daniel Richards, acquired a large piece of land form the Van Dyke brothers and in 1838 proposed building hundreds of residences that would be serviced by a ferry connecting Red Hook to Manhattan but the project fell apart. In 1840, Richards obtained approval form the New York State Legislature to build a large shipping terminal on Buttermilk Channel opposite Governor’s Island. It was completed in 1848 and provided large ships the ability to sail through the Port of New York.

Red Hook Map 1800’s

In 1843, Irish immigrant William Beard purchased a large amount of waterfront in Red Hook, just south of the Atlantic Basin and began filling it with farmland. By the end of the 1850s, he had acquired over one million square feet of land and began constructing the Erie Basin at the southwest tip of Red Hook. Here, in 1864, the Erie Basin became popular for ship repair and grain storage. After completion, Beard sold a portion of land to the Anglo-American Dock Company, which proceeded to constructing the area’s first graving doc, facilitating large-scale ship repair. During the Civil War, the Erie Basin was the center for ship repair in New York.

After the Civil War, thousands of immigrant workers poured into the neighborhood looking for work in the industrial port. The 1860s through the 1890s were the busiest years of Red Hook’s industrial development. Before becoming a part of New York City in 1898, Brooklyn was the fourth largest city in the country providing thousands of jobs in waterfront factories and storehouses. Red Hook itself had transformed from a farmland to an industrial port center. Immigrants from Ireland, Germany and Italy filled South Brooklyn near the docks and piers.

Red Hook 1925

The twentieth century proved to be a difficult one for Red Hook. The major wave of industrial building had receded noticeably and the loss of grain terminals was devastating for Red Hook. As time moved on, the population of Red Hook started to decline. Even the New York Dock Company had pulled out of Red Hook, abandoning the traditional storehouses and piers along its waterfront for the Port of Newark. The land was then left unoccupied and undesirable until the city took control of the abandoned properties. During the 1950’s, the City of New York demolished Civil War era warehouses on the Atlantic Basin and the large pier built by Beard at the mouth of the Erie Basin was split in two to provide better access between the waterfront and the Basin.

Today, Red Hook begins a restoration project after a majority of its area was destroyed due to Hurricane Sandy. Businesses were flooded; the Red Hook library suffered over $100,000 in damages. The area has just started to recover with businesses finally being able to open up again after renovating entire infrastructures in some cases.  Red Hook’s biggest attraction is the huge Ikea as well as the Fairway, which is an enormous 33,000 square foot supermarket. Red Hook has a rich waterfront history that can easily be seen even to this day.

Effects of Hurrican Sandy

The constructions in the Red Hook area are influenced by the broader historical trends in trade and technology. The warehouses and piers emerged because of the trade of bulk goods in the Port of New York starting in 1840. During this time, bulk products were shipped and stored at small terminals, which consisted of narrow finger piers and warehouses. Even though many of these finger piers have disappeared, a number of warehouses still remain on Red Hook’s waterfront, which serves as a reminder of the maritime trade which brought upon the growth of Brooklyn and New York.

Most of Red Hooks grain warehouses were built between 1850 and 1860. These warehouses were typically flat roofed structures, four to six stories high, 150- to 200 feet long and 50 to 80 feet wide. They were built from timber with timber floors and brick exteriors. The most intact grain warehouse is The Merchant’s or Governor’s Stores on Pier 41 at the foot of Van Dyke Street.

The Beard Street Stores

The Merchant’s or Governor’s Stores

The Red Hook Grain Terminal was completed in 1922 with the main goal to re-direct the Port’s grain traffic to Red Hook. It had improved waterway, which was designed for diesel-powered barges and followed routes that would maximize the use of natural water. This was entirely different from older canals because they were entirely artificial channels designed for boats pulled by mules. Even though the terminal was never an economic success, it was a great engineering achievement.

Red Hook Grain Terminal

Red Hook hosts one of the largest public housing projects in New York City as well as in the country. They were initially built by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a Federal Works Program initiative. Red Hook has for a long time been divided between the white population which lives near the waterfront and the black and Latino population which lives in these housing projects. In 1990, these houses were home to 11,000 residents, of which over a third were under 18. Unemployment was high, as well as drug use and violence. This led Life Magazine to rank Red Hook as one of the ten worst neighborhoods in the US, calling it “the crack capital of America.” Today, the houses are home to over 8,000 of Red Hook’s 11,000 residents. Crimes have dropped dramatically; for example between 1993 and 2003, robberies were down 55 percent and felony assaults were down 68 percent. This definitely shows progress in Red Hook becoming a safer and more respected area

Red Hook Public Housing

Historically, Red Hook has been known as a shipping hub in New York City. The Graving Dock was especially influential site. From the 1850 to the mid 1900’s, the Graving Dock was essential in the expansion of the Erie Canal and the construction of the Erie Basin. The dock served as the key terminal between the Atlantic Ocean and the Erie Canal.

Graving Dock being used as a shipyard during World War II

These docks have also been used as shipyards during the World Wars. In World War II, the Navy hired 20,000 workers to build ships in the Graving Docks.

However, in 2004, IKEA bought the site for the Graving Dock and began converting the area into a superstore. The store opened in 2008 and has since been met with much controversy. Though the IKEA has brought a large amount of business activity to the deteriorating neighborhood, locals resent that the store replaced the historic Graving Dock. Furthermore, the traffic congestion has led to a reduction of property value and quality of life in the neighborhood. One innovation that the IKEA has brought to the neighborhood is the IKEA ferry, which transports people from lower Manhattan to Red Hook. However, this has also added to the congestion problems associated with the construction of the store.

Red Hook as a whole is actually in a very poor economic situation currently. The average salary for Red Hook residents is far below the average New York City resident. At only $15,686, the average income for Red Hook residents is bordering on poverty. Furthermore, there is a severe lack of home ownership in Red Hook. In the past 30 years only seven percent of the neighborhoods’ residents owned a home. Even worse, 8,000 of the 10,000 residents lived in the Red Hook Houses, a public housing project in Red Hook.

The recent natural disaster, Hurricane Sandy, has added to the economic hardships of the neighborhood.  Being one of the hardest

Red Hook’s Fairway during Hurricane Sandy

hit neighborhoods in the city, Red Hook experienced flooding, water damage, wind damage, power outages, and structural destruction. Though there were millions of dollars in damages, companies such as the Fairway supermarket have been able to recover. These institutions have marked a beacon for hope for many of Red Hook’s residents as the efforts still continue to repair Red Hook from the damages of the hurricane.

Another beacon of hope for Red Hook is its underlying economic potential. Scholars have recently noted, “With vacant land, empty warehouses, and a declining population, Red Hook is ripe for redevelopment.” (Otero-Pailos) This transformation, actually, has already begun to occur. Many small businesses, instead of changing the existing structures, are opening up shops in the abandoned old buildings of industry. This may be the beginning of the economic rejuvenation of Red Hook.

Red Hook has a very interesting set of demographics. In terms of race, the neighborhood is a resounding 88% White. The next closest racial group is Hispanics who make up 6.5% of the population. Another interesting demographic is education. For those 25 years and older living in Red Hook, 85% have high school degrees and 29% have bachelor degrees. These low numbers of college graduation correlate with the low average income for the neighborhood.

The Ethnic Makeup of Red Hook

Yet another interesting demographic is the population change. One would suspect that since the neighborhood has been in such poor economic conditions that people would be leaving. However, since 2000 Red Hook has seen a 8.7% increase in population. The last interesting demographic is age. Red Hook is predominately a younger crowd. As compared to the average New York City population, Red Hook residents are roughly five years younger. Even more dramatic, the male population in Red Hook is a whole ten years younger than the city average for males. These demographics help make Red Hook into one of the most peculiar and unique part of the city.

Red Hook is part of the Brooklyn Community Board 6. This local government board also includes several other neighborhoods in South Brooklyn. The community board can have up to 50 members who have, to a great extent, interests in the district. They serve two-year terms and are appointed by the Borough President, Marty Markowitz.

Community District Boundary

The board has a chairperson, Daniel M. Kummer, and a district manager, Craig Hammerman. The board is further divided into committees, which specialize in different fields to better help the social welfare and health of the community (Brooklyncb6).

The three main issues that the community board is concerned with are how to use its city-owned property and private property that seeks to be used in a way that is not automatically approved by zoning laws, its operating budget concerning projects and programs, and delivery of services, which include citizen complaints and requests for municipal services. Specifically, the district office processes complaints and delivery of services. All community board meetings are open to the public and citizens are actually encouraged to attend and participate in the most grassroots level of local government. Since the community board reigns over a small collection of neighborhoods in Brooklyn, it handles small problems that city government might overlook or take time to process such as filling potholes, fixing damages street signs, fixing street lights etc. (Brooklyncb6).

Most of the community board’s announcements are focused on street closures and construction projects undertaken by the agencies of New York City to notify their citizens of major changes affecting their neighborhood. One of the more recent projects in Red Hook is the rehabilitation of the Carroll Street Bridge over the Gowanus Canal. The work includes replacing and/or restoring deteriorated parts and maintenance of the bridge’s appearance as well as sidewalk repairs (NYC DOT). Much investment has been

Carroll Street Bridge

focused on the Gowanus Canal because it has been the subject of debates of whether it should serve an economic function, as it once was a cargo transportation hub. Those opposed argue that economic restoration interests conflict with environmental preservation of the area. Rehabilitation of the Carroll Street Bridge might be viewed as an attempt to reuse the canal area economically and measures have been taken to ensure economic restoration is environmentally responsible. The Department of Environmental Protection Gowanus Facilities Upgrade is reducing sewer outflows into the Gowanus Canal by 34% and improving water quality in the Canal as a result (GOWANUS). While these projects invest in Red Hook’s infrastructure and therefore, economy, they are an attempt to improve the quality of life for its residents by making transportation more efficient, roads and sidewalks cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing, and improving the environment’s health, which results in improving the mental and physical health of the citizens.

Red Hook’s infrastructural degradation seems to be cyclical due to low income housing traditions and the abandonment of a once thriving manufacturing economy, but some citizens are investing their community’s future in the education of residential students. The Red Hook Education Foundation (RHEF) is a non-profit, private organization that seeks to improve public education in Red Hook with the support of the community. Since the Red Hook Central School District has a small budget that reflects that economic health of the neighborhood, RHEF raises money with the help of businesses and private donors to help fund school program and projects by providing capital and equipment that is needed. The RHEF differs from a PTA because it is a privately run foundation with employees, rather than volunteers, that can invest in capital improvement campaigns and donations. A notable project the RHEF has undertaken is soliciting donations for the Martha Strever Scholarship for Achievement in Mathematics. The scholarship of an undisclosed amount is awarded to a senior every year who shows academic excellence in math and plans to continue math studies in college. The RHEF also boasts the creation of the debate club program in middle and high school. They co-sponsor a Debate Tournament that is held at Bard College and send Red Hook debate teams to compete with other high school teams. The RHEF funded the trip to Bard College, showing true interest in their student’s secondary education futures (RHEF).

With such involvement by the RHEF to make underfunded projects a possibility for students, it must influence the Red Hook test scores that compare favorably with New York Citywide scores. Red Hook students in grades 3-8 performed an average of 116 on the performance index with 100 being the state median and only 5% of students who perform under basic standards. On State Regents exams, Red Hook School District overpasses the state median of 100 in all subjects except for Chemistry, which scores a 98, only two points below the state standard (NY Times). Although Red Hook Central School District outperforms New York statewide averages, the benefit to the health of the community will not appear in the short-term. After sending their promising students to college, Red Hook hopes that their scholars will come back and help solve the cyclical economic stagnation of the community. And although strong education programs are a promising investment in the future health of a society, Red Hook will not see this investment turn over as fast as they need it to.

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

Red Hook is a neighborhood of great character. First, it has a exciting history as it functioned as a port and shipping yard. Red Hook also housed many factories and was one of the industrial centers of a bustling New York. In present day Red Hook, the state is not as pleasant. In terms of social life, there is a large amount of crime, loitering, and drug use in the neighborhood. This is coupled with the deteriorating economic condition, in which most companies have moved out leaving vacant warehouses that are only now being filled by small businesses. Furthermore, catastrophes such as Hurricane Sandy have made the economic burden even harder for the neighborhood. However, a strong community board and a city government with a strong focus on education may be the way out for Red Hook. The community board has worked to revamp the infrastructure in the neighborhood and the education system in has been outperforming city averages. These fundamental shifts towards long term development may be the way that Red Hook can return to its past glory.

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