Photo Courtesy of the Pan Gregorian of
Metro New York and Long Island
By Forum Staff
The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today announced the selection of Bartlett Dairy and Food Service, a family-run local business, to develop a 56,000 square foot distribution and manufacturing center on a significant portion of the John F. Kennedy (JFK) North Site, one of the largest city-owned manufacturing zoned properties.
NYCEDC issued an RFEI in February 2015 seeking proposals for redevelopment of the JFK North Site with responses due in May 2016. To keep and grow their business right here in New York City, Bartlett responded to the RFEI because of their need to relocate both their corporate office and distribution facility. EDC selected Bartlett because of their ability to meet the industrial manufacturing criteria, for their commitment to the City’s Living Wage and NYCEDC’s HireNYC requirements for employees, as well as meeting a 30% MWBE contracting goal for design and construction.
Moreover, Bartlett Dairy was selected because it employs 75% of its workforce from Queens and Brooklyn, for their ability to help strengthen the city’s food economy and connectivity between upstate and the City, and because they provide extensive training and career movement for their employees; many of whom do not have college degrees.
Part of the real estate transaction with Bartlett involved receiving NYCIDA tax benefits to facilitate relocation to the JFK North Site, retain approximately 200 existing jobs and the creation of 50 new permanent jobs. The NYCIDA Board voted unanimously to approve the transaction earlier today.
“…Bartlett Dairy’s redevelopment of the JFK North Site into a manufacturing and distribution center will reinforce the City’s dairy supply, bridge the upstate and downstate food economy, and revitalize the JFK Industrial Business Zone,” said NYCEDC President Maria Torres-Springer.
Bartlett Dairy is a minority-owned, family-run dairy and dry goods distribution company that has been in operation since 1968. The Queens-based company employs over 400 people across three locations in Jamaica, Newark and Rochester and delivers dry and perishable goods to schools, hotels, grocery, and restaurants amongst others. Their largest contracts include the New York City Department of Education, the Archdiocese of New York, and Starbucks.
Development of the JFK North site, which is expected to create 91 construction jobs, will commence in fall 2018, with completion expected in fall 2020.
