Bay Ridge Ford recently broke ground on a $4 million renovation for an immense 33,000 s/f brand new Ford service center at the Brooklyn Army Terminal (BAT), located at 140 58th St. The service center will be housed in the historic former Federal Laundry Building in Sunset Park. The Brooklyn Army Terminal is one of the city's largest industrial complexes, and the local Ford retailer has also acquired 55,000 s/f of yard space. The renovation of this building and the long-term lease that Bay Ridge Ford signed is a sign of revival for the city's industrial waterfront. The Brooklyn Army Terminal plays a prominent role in the Bloomberg administrations' plans for transforming this important area and will help the struggling economy. "We have worked very closely with Brooklyn borough president Marty Markowitz, the City of New York and the Economic Development Corp. to get started on renovating one of the most storied buildings in Brooklyn. Marty Markowitz's staunch support over the past two years was instrumental in making the Bay Ridge Service Center a reality. We chose this location for our new Service Center in part because of the incentives offered by the New York State Empire Development Zone. We will continue our commitment to Brooklyn with this incredible Ford service center. A service center that will be convenient for our customers and New York City and will have the capability to service a full range of Ford vehicles," said Gary Flom, president and CEO of Bay Ridge Ford. " "As one of the first Ford dealerships to open in America since the recession, Bay Ridge Ford has helped keep Brooklyn's and New York City's economic 'engine' running. This new service center will employ more than 60 people, and with companies like Bay Ridge Ford along the Brooklyn waterfront, we're proving to the rest of the country that skilled industrial jobs can be a 'driving' force in this economy once again. I was thrilled to bring together city, state and federal agencies to provide needed tax credits, and proud to work with Empire State Development and president Ken Adams, and the NYC Economic Development Corp. and president Seth Pinsky to make this a reality. And, of course, congratulations to Gary Flom and his entire staff on their new service center, which will ensure that Brooklyn is all 'tuned up' and ready to go!" said Markowitz. "Revitalizing the city's industrial waterfront is among the Bloomberg administration's top economic development priorities," said Pinsky. "This commitment by Bay Ridge Ford is further evidence of the prominent role BAT is playing in these important efforts. Through millions of dollars in private investment, a building that has been vacant for years will soon be transformed into crucial industrial workspace, supporting dozens of well-paying jobs for New Yorkers." "In these difficult economic times, I welcome this significant investment and the jobs this project will bring to my district. I would like to thank Gary Flom of Bay Ridge Ford, our borough president Marty Markowitz, and Seth Pinsky of Economic Development Corp. for all of their hard work and commitment to the continued revitalization of the Sunset Park waterfront," said New York City Councilwoman, Sara Gonzalez. This service center will be the newest in New York City and will have the ability to accommodate most commercial vehicles; police cars, ambulances, buses and trucks. This soon to be modern service center will complement the new Bay Ridge Ford dealership and will increase the total number of generated jobs to over 60 for the Bay Ridge and Sunset Park communities. Without the help of Markowitz and his staff, Pinsky, Josh Wallach, the Property Management team, and numerous others from the Economic Development Corp., City Councilwoman, Sara Gonzalez, and our many other public sector partners: Empire State Development Corporation, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corp. Department of Small Business Services, and many more this Service Center would not be possible. The new Brooklyn Army Terminal site is a historic landmark and was used during World War II as a laundry facility for soldiers' uniforms. Bay Ridge Ford is working closely with the New York State Historic Preservation Office to ensure that the renovation does not affect the building's historic status. About Bay Ridge Ford Bay Ridge Ford was the of the first new Ford dealerships to open in the United States since the recession began. Its 7,500 square foot, state of the art showroom is located at 612 86th Street in Brooklyn's Bay Ridge neighborhood. Temporarily the service and parts departments will be located at 2533 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11223. This fall the dealership will open a 30,000 square foot modern, high-tech permanent service and parts facility within the Brooklyn Army Terminal complex in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighborhood. Bay Ridge Ford, Bay Ridge's only authorized Ford retailer, places customer satisfaction and education at the forefront of their business operations. # # #