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More cash for a greener Navy Yard

The Brooklyn Navy Yard, already the city’s preeminent green manufacturing district, received another $15 million in capital funds for two additional green facilities.

The projects include the adaptive reuse of three connected former World War II machine shops, and the adaptive reuse of the historic former Marine Commandant’s House.

“These projects will not only create more than 300 permanent green collar jobs, but will also provide inspiration for young people to pursue careers in sustainable industries or to start their own green business,” said Andrew H. Kimball, President and CEO of the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC), which manages the 300-acre industrial park on behalf of the city.

BNYDC will use $10.5 million in State Senate funding toward the $30 million, 220,000-square-foot Green Manufacturing Center now housing three World War II machine shops.

The LEED Silver-certified building will include one of New York State’s largest solar panel installations and will adaptively re-use the concrete foundations and steel frames of the three, connected late 19th century buildings.

Construction will begin in Spring 2010 and is expected to take 18 months.

The balance of construction funding will come from pending grants and private financing.

BNYDC will use the remainder ($4.5 million) of the State Senate funding to complete the base building construction for the $19.5 million restoration of an historic 150-year-old structure that served as the United States Marine Corps Commandant’s residence.

The balance of the capital funding for this project includes $10 million from the City Council, $2.5 million from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and $2.5 million from the State Environmental Protection Fund.

Upon completion, the Marine Corps Commandant’s residence will have a modern extension with leasable space, educational and community rooms, a rooftop café, special events space and a landscaped courtyard.

The house will have an exhibit celebrating the Navy Yard’s past, present and future including its current redevelopment as a national model for sustainable industrial parks.

Work is expected to commence in mid-October on the 27,000-square-foot facility and be completed in mid-2011.

Kimball also thanked State Senate Majority Conference Leader John Sampson, and Senators Velmanette Montgomery and Daniel Squadron for spearheading the allocation of the funds, which will be distributed over the next three years.

“I am proud to join my colleagues in funding this venture, which will provide hundreds of jobs necessary to getting families back to work,” said Sampson. “In addition to job creation, this project will serve as Brooklyn’s largest green manufacturing site, reducing the borough’s carbon print.”