Final approval for a long-awaited makeover for the Hunts Point Produce Market in Bronx, N.Y., could be just months away.
The market has been involved in negotiations with the New York City Economic Development Corp., engineering partners and lawyers for about 18 months “to design the next-generation market that meets the modern food distribution standards,” says Nick Rodelli, market general manager.
Plans are under consideration to modernize logistics, redesign the transportation flow to reduce congestion, revamp the electrical grid and utilities, improve the cold chain capability, enhance public safety and compliance technology, and implement a sustainable waste stream and environmental design that will support the long-term economic growth of the market’s stakeholders and those who use the market, Rodelli says.
The market’s board of directors will decide whether the program will involve refurbishing the facility or creating a completely new design.
“Both things are on the table right now,” he says. “It has to fit for everybody.”
Rodelli expects a decision to be made within 60 to 90 days.
“They’re making big leaps from month to month,” he explains. “It’s a very aggressive program.”
Final cost of the project has not yet been determined.
“The numbers are really not solid at this point, but it’s way up there,” Rodelli says.
Financing will come from city, state and federal sources. The 58-year-old market is due for an upgrade.
“There’s a lot of wear-and-tear on it,” Rodelli says.
More than 1,000 trucks pass through the facility every day, and the market has 11 miles of rail with nightly rail service.
“There’s a lot that goes on,” he says.
Twenty-four businesses occupy 260 units on more than 100 acres.
“We feed 26 million people a year out of this facility, so we’re essential,” Rodelli explains.
