NEW YORK – The New York City Department of Transportation will shut down its concrete recycling operations at the Columbia Street Waterfront District by August and fully close the facility by year’s end, officials announced Monday.
Mayor Eric Adams and DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the decision follows sustained community opposition tied to health and quality of life concerns as the city prepares for redevelopment at the Brooklyn Marine Terminal.
“With the closure of the concrete recycling facility at the Columbia Street Waterfront District, we are taking an important step toward realizing a greener, safer, and more vibrant Brooklyn Marine Terminal for the residents of this community,” Adams said during the announcement.
The temporary recycling yard, located near Kane Street, began operations in 2024 after being moved to make space for offshore wind energy development at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. The site has supported infrastructure improvements related to the city’s Vision Zero safety program, including pedestrian-friendly sidewalk extensions and ADA-compliant crossings.
While DOT will end concrete processing at the location, other services such as bridge de-icing and fiber optic maintenance will remain at the yard, according to the agency.
Rodriguez said the city responded to residents’ concerns: “We’ve heard loud and clear from local residents that this temporary facility has disrupted their quality of life.”
The recycling yard occupies a portion of the planned Brooklyn Marine Terminal redevelopment site, which city officials have proposed transforming into a mixed-use space with housing, a school, and public open areas.
Local, state, and federal elected officials welcomed the move, which comes after months of public advocacy. “This will be a meaningful improvement in the lives of neighbors who have endured toxic dust, noise, and truck traffic for too long,” said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon.
Councilmember Shahana Hanif said the closure would “help improve air quality, reduce truck traffic, and ease noise pollution in an area that has borne environmental burdens for far too long.”
The site’s closure marks a shift in city operations as officials seek alternative locations for the recycling work while continuing DOT’s broader citywide safety initiatives.
The Columbia Street yard’s shutdown clears the way for a major Brooklyn waterfront redevelopment effort following sustained neighborhood outcry.
