Naval Homeport

Category: Military Sites/Structures

The city first built municipal piers on the Stapleton waterfront in 1921. From 1937 to 1944 five enormous piers (Piers 12-16) served as the nation's first free trade zone, known as Foreign Trade Zone No. 1 - free from U. S. Customs inspection, embargoes, and import duties. During WWII both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy used the Stapleton waterfront as the New York State Port of Embarkation and designated for hospital ship docking. After the war, the waterfront fell into disrepair as the shipping industry declined. The Homeport, officially known as Naval Station New York (NAVSTANY), opened in 1989 at a cost of approximately $300 million and officially opened in 1989. The 36-acre waterfront base was closed in 1994. The property contains a 1,400 ft. pier and six buildings. PlanNYC calls for can investment of $66 million in infrastructure improvements and a mile long water front esplanade as part of the Stapleton Waterfront Development Plan.