NYCEDC Announces Selection of Steiner Studios to Develop and Operate Made in New York Film and TV Soundstage Facility in Sunset Park, Brooklyn

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Aug. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) today announced Steiner Studios, a highly experienced Brooklyn-based soundstage operator, has been selected to establish a 500,000-square-foot film and television production hub in Sunset Park that will advance diversity and equity in the media and entertainment industry and create thousands of jobs.

The project will be established on the Made in New York Campus at Bush Terminal in Sunset Park. It will include eight new soundstages, gut-renovations of two historic buildings, and a new parking facility with approximately 500 spaces. Steiner will complete the adjacent Bush Terminal Piers Park, build a new playground designed with community input, and contribute $25,000 annually to recreational programming in the park.      

"Making sure that New York City's economic recovery is both robust and fair requires us to couple investments in high-growth industries with demonstrated programs that increase workforce equity and inclusion," said Vicki Been, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development. "Today's announcement demonstrates that New York City remains a hub for both industry investment and economic opportunity. Thank you to New York City Economic Development Corporation, the Mayor's Office for Media and Entertainment, and Steiner Studios for their commitment to helping to bring economic opportunities to the City that are diverse and accessible to all New Yorkers."

In addition to creating thousands of jobs and new public open space, this project will focus on investing in the local workforce and on advancing diversity and equity in the media and entertainment industry through the following investments:

• $50,000 per year to advance opportunities in media and entertainment to New Yorkers of color and women through MOME's highly successful Made in NY Production Assistant and Made in NY Post-Production job-training programs, ensuring that an additional 25 to 30 participants a year gain work experience, training, and connections to jobs.
• $250,000 over 10 years to a non-profit organization supporting gender equity, diversity and inclusion in the New York City film and television production industry.
• Providing free office or classroom space for one or more non-profits that advance racial equity, diversity and inclusion in the production industry.
• Creation of a new, offsite local program for high school students to train for jobs in the production industry, with up to $50,000 towards its establishment, plus $25,000 per year for resources and programming and school year internship opportunities.
• A summer internship program that will include two paid 10-week positions, focusing in the areas of stage operations, lighting and grip, and production facilities management. These will be filled through local community organizations.

Steiner Studios expects to support 2,200 jobs upon project completion, including set builders, electricians, scenic artists, grips, propmasters, set dressers, hair and make-up artists, and costume designers.

This investment is also expected to create at least 1,800 temporary construction jobs and comes with a goal of 25% participation rate by Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises. Steiner Studios will also be required to recruit qualified candidates from the local community through NYCEDC's HireNYC program.

"Businesses are not only here to stay, they are doubling down on building their future right here in New York City," said James Patchett, President and CEO of New York City Economic Development Corporation. "Today's significant investment by Steiner Studios represents a major milestone for both Sunset Park and the City. This project will bring thousands of locally-accessible and family-supporting jobs, expand training opportunities for New Yorkers, and bring greater equity and inclusivity to the media production industry. As we continue to focus on our economic recovery and building a more equitable New York, private sector partnerships like these will play a critical role."

"This new production hub builds on the City's commitment to increasing access and opportunities for New Yorkers in the film and television industry with expanded soundstage facilities and centers for skilled job training and talent development," said Commissioner of the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Anne del Castillo. "Situated alongside tech and garment manufacturing in the heart of the Made in NY Campus, the new facilities with added soundstage space will strengthen our local industry and raise the city's profile as a global creative capital."

"TV production is a thriving industry in New York, and this project helps jump-start the city's economic recovery and growth," said Doug Steiner, Chairman of Steiner Studios. "We're beyond thrilled to have been selected, and to bring 2,200 high-paying jobs and opportunities to Bush Terminal."

In 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the Made in New York Campus at Bush Terminal, including garment manufacturing, film/TV/media production and other light manufacturing and significant upgrades to the north campus. NYCEDC started construction on the garment hub renovation and north campus upgrades in February 2020. Construction was temporarily paused due to COVID-19, but has resumed as of July 2020.

In advance of today's announcement, NYCEDC signed a pre-development agreement with Steiner Studios for a long-term ground lease. In addition to the more-than-$320-million in private investment, the City of New York will contribute approximately $15 million towards site preparation work.

SOURCE Steiner Studios