NYCEDC Proclaims New Operator for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport  – sUAS Information

‘Downtown Skyport’ will Set up New York Metropolis because the First Metropolis within the World to Adapt its Heliport Infrastructure to Help Sustainable Air Mobility Applied sciences and Bolster Final-Mile and Maritime Freight Distribution 

New York Metropolis Furthers its Dedication for Quieter and Extra Sustainable Helicopter and Freight Options to Enhance High quality of Life for New Yorkers  

New York Metropolis Financial Growth Company (NYCEDC) introduced Downtown Skyport as the brand new operator of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) following a Franchise and Concession Evaluation Committee (FCRC) public listening to approval. Following a aggressive Request for Proposal (RFP) course of, Downtown Skyport will take over administration of DMH to proceed present operations and improve the Metropolis-owned heliport to offer the supporting infrastructure for electrical vertical take-off and touchdown (eVTOL) plane, in addition to last-mile maritime freight supply. In November 2023, Mayor Adams and NYCEDC introduced a brand new imaginative and prescient of reworking the heliport right into a sustainable, multi-modal transportation and logistics hub. 

Downtown Skyport is a three way partnership between Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports), a number one supplier of floor infrastructure for the superior air mobility business, and Groupe ADP, a world chief in airport design, development, financing, and operation. Skyports and Groupe ADP have intensive expertise in heliport/airport operations. Skyports owns and operates certainly one of two public heliports in London and is growing eVTOL infrastructure throughout a number of continents. Groupe ADP owns and operates 26 airports worldwide, together with Issy-les-Moulineaux Heliport and Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France and is a part of a three way partnership working New York Stewart Worldwide Airport.  

Following a transition interval with the heliport’s present operator, Downtown Skyport will assume management of operations at DMH in early 2025. The focused completion of the design and allowing course of for the brand new charging infrastructure for eVTOL plane and last-mile maritime infrastructure is 2026. 

“At present New York Metropolis’s Harbor of the Future takes an enormous step ahead, advancing town’s imaginative and prescient for an inter-modal, electrified transportation community that units a worldwide instance for electrified, quiet flight in city environments and a Blue Freeway community for improved last-mile motion of freight,” mentioned First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “I sit up for the execution of this plan and the enhancements in high quality of life and financial impacts that include it.”

“NYCEDC is proud to welcome Downtown Skyport as the brand new operator of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport,” mentioned New York Metropolis Financial Growth Company (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “With their experience in international transportation, Downtown Skyport is completely positioned to advance the Adams Administration’s imaginative and prescient of reworking DMH right into a hub for cutting-edge mobility. By integrating eVTOL know-how — a quieter, greener various to conventional helicopters — and facilitating maritime freight and last-mile deliveries, this initiative is not going to solely cut back truck visitors however convey big high quality of life enhancements for all New Yorkers.”

“Skyports and Groupe ADP are proud to be chosen by NYCEDC to rework the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) right into a future-ready, multi-modal hub,” mentioned Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports. “By integrating eVTOL infrastructure and maritime freight capabilities at DMH, the ability will function a lynchpin to advance the Metropolis’s objectives of making a complete micro distribution community alongside the “Blue Freeway” and enhance high quality of life for New Yorkers. This milestone positions New York Metropolis as a pacesetter in quiet, electrical mobility options and units a benchmark for cities throughout the U.S. and globally.”

Downtown Skyport has dedicated to creating DMH and the New York Metropolis skies quieter and extra sustainable by: 

• Investing within the supporting infrastructure (e.g., chargers) and any crucial utility upgrades throughout the preliminary five-year time period in anticipation of eVTOL certification and industrial viability; 
• Incentivizing the adoption of quiet eVTOL know-how to handle group high quality of life considerations;  
• Diversifying DMH actions and mitigating the challenges of visitors congestion within the Metropolis by growing and working a maritime facility for last-mile micro-distribution  funded partly by practically $1 million of a $5 million grant from the U.S. Division of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) grant awarded to NYCEDC to create and assist a “Marine Freeway” community;  
• Increasing minority and ladies owned enterprise enterprises (M/WBE) outreach required for all work together with 30 p.c utilization objectives for web site growth and development actions; 
• Introducing workforce growth coaching programsthat enhance entry to profession pathways in aviation, maritime, transportation, logistics, and different related sectors;
• And enhancements to the principle passenger terminal to boost the general buyer expertise. 

“We’re main the cost to affect our Metropolis’s fleet operations with the most important on-road electrical fleet and charging networks in New York State, and we’re excited to assist EDC in these newest efforts to affect helicopter transportation,” mentioned DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “Collectively, we are going to make all types of transportation—on the highway, within the water, and within the air—cleaner and extra sustainable.”

“Reworking the Downtown Manhattan Heliport right into a sustainable, multi-modal, transportation and logistics hub will assist re-shape the way in which our metropolis handles last-mile deliveries for years to come back. NYC DOT appears to be like ahead to persevering with our assist of this effort with world-class greenway and secure avenue connections for the heliport,” mentioned NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.  “We congratulate Downtown Skyport and welcome our new associate in delivering revolutionary transportation and freight choices for New Yorkers.”

“The noise and environmental influence of the heliport have been long-standing considerations for our residents, and I’m proud to see NYCEDC take these steps towards a quieter, greener, and extra modern future. I’m glad to have labored with them on this, and I’m excited to see how this transformation improves the standard of life for our neighbors whereas setting a brand new customary for sustainable transportation,” mentioned Assemblyman Charles D. Fall.

“As Chair of the Financial Growth Committee, I’ve fought for decarbonization and sustainable options throughout sectors, notably within the aviation business,” mentioned Councilmember Amanda Farias. “The choice of ‘Downtown Skyport’ as the brand new operator for the Downtown Manhattan Heliport is a pivotal step towards addressing noise and environmental considerations by advancing electrical vertical take-off and touchdown (eVTOL) know-how. Retrofitting the heliport for quieter and greener options establishes New York Metropolis as a worldwide chief in sustainable air mobility, and I’m dedicated to persevering with this work with the EDC to make sure we stay on the forefront of innovation and environmental duty. I look ahead in persevering with my partnership with NYC EDC and our heliport business companions to proceed combating to handle the wants of New Yorkers.”

“Investing in sustainable helicopter infrastructure on the Downtown Heliport to scale back noise and air air pollution is an enormous step in the suitable path,” mentioned New York Metropolis Councilmember Gale A. Brewer. “I admire town’s efforts to handle the standard of life and public well being points brought on by helicopters and sit up for partnering with the Metropolis and the operator on additional minimizing the influence on our communities.”

“By embracing cutting-edge eVTOL know-how and increasing the Blue Highways initiative, we’re making vital strides in lowering sound air pollution and environmental influence in Decrease Manhattan,” mentioned Tammy Meltzer, Chair of Manhattan Neighborhood Board 1. “These developments will convey significant quality-of-life enhancements via quieter, cleaner options for air journey and industrial items transportation, all whereas propelling us towards a extra sustainable and environment friendly future.”

“The New York Metropolis blue economic system performs a significant position in lowering carbon emissions and addressing provide chain challenges. The choice of Downtown Skyport to steer the following section of operations on the Downtown Manhattan Heliport marks a big step ahead within the Metropolis’s dedication to blue economic system innovation. By transitioning to cleaner helicopter options and increasing the Blue Freeway, we are able to cut back truck visitors, decarbonize transportation, and strengthen water-based options that assist a extra sustainable and resilient future for New York Metropolis,” mentioned Cortney Koenig Worrall, president and CEO, Waterfront Alliance.

“Vertical Aviation Worldwide (VAI) helps an surroundings the place Superior Air Mobility (AAM) accessibility creates aggressive however inclusive circumstances for this new vertical aviation plane and the thrilling prospects that include it. Our over 16,000 members are passionate of their perception that we must be investing in our vertical aviation infrastructure, not diminish it,” mentioned Josh Rousseau, VAI Northeast US Regional Consultant. “We commend NYCEDC for his or her continued dedication to investing in each present and future vertical aviation wants and providers.”  

“Cease the Chop NY/NJ congratulates the brand new operators of the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) for being chosen by the NYCEDC after an extended and aggressive RFP course of,” mentioned Melissa Elstein, Board Chair & Secretary, Coalition Organizer, Cease The Chop NY/NJ. “In prioritizing environmental and high quality of life considerations on this resolution, NYCEDC is taking an vital first step in the direction of eliminating nonessential fossil fuel-run helicopters from its heliports — a transfer that Cease the Chop NY/NJ has lengthy advocated for. Though we nonetheless search a full and instant ban of the 30,000 annual sightseeing helicopter flights, we applaud the lowered helicopter hours and higher monitoring of DMH-vicinity air high quality, noise complaints, helicopter flights, and greenhouse gasoline emissions — knowledge we consider must be made publicly out there. We stay optimistic about eVTOLs’ substitute of conventional fossil-fuel helicopters, a transition that we urge be fast-tracked (together with flight caps) to account for area people considerations, akin to high quality of life points, noise and air air pollution. Lastly, we assist the “over water solely” dispersal routes for the commuter helicopter visitors that at present disrupts all too many New Yorkers who reside or work beneath their loud, low-flying paths. As a key stakeholder, Cease the Chop NY/NJ represents the tens of 1000’s of New Yorkers harmed by helicopter visitors. NYC’s dedication to quieter and extra sustainable helicopter options to enhance the standard of life for New Yorkers is an important step in lowering these harms.”

“New York Metropolis continues to make progress within the burgeoning high-tech air taxi business which can supply excellent employment alternatives for the following technology of scholars who aspire to be pilots, engineers, upkeep technicians, ‘vertiport’ managers and extra,” mentioned President Dr Sharon B. DeVivo, president and chief govt officer. “Vaughn School is happy to associate with Skyports and Groupe ADP to create the roles of the long run.”

“Aviation Excessive College is happy to see the following section of the way forward for flight turn into a actuality in New York Metropolis on the Downtown Manhattan Heliport,” mentioned Steven R. Jackson, Principal, Aviation Excessive College. “New alternatives, with the long run use of Superior Air Mobility eVTOL plane, will imply inexperienced, quiet, and inexpensive native journey for the residents of New York Metropolis and new profession alternatives for our college students!”

Final fall, two main eVTOL firms, Joby and Volocopter, carried out back-to-back piloted demonstration flights from an city heliport. The flights took off from DMH, carried out overwater maneuvers in opposition to the backdrop of Decrease Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty, earlier than touching again down on the heliport. In October, Joby hosted a public electrical air taxi show at Vanderbilt Corridor in Grand Central Terminal. Even with piloted flight take a look at campaigns underway by a number of eVTOL firms, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification is anticipated by 2026.  

In Could 2015, the US Maritime Administration designated the Brooklyn Waterfront as a part of America’s Marine Freeway (AMH). Constructing on this designation, in 2022 NYCEDC obtained a $5.16 million U.S. Division of Transportation (USDOT) and Maritime Administration (MARAD) grant to strengthen important freight motion on waterways by enabling extra landings to dock watercraft and put together cargo for native supply.  

The utilization of marine freeway providers to move and ship cargo helps to scale back emissions, lower put on and tear on roadways, alleviate provide chain bottlenecks, and transfer items extra shortly from ships to cabinets. Additional, the competitors of every of those websites will increase transportation resiliency and redundancy, making New York Metropolis higher outfitted to obtain items throughout instances of emergency or catastrophe. 

Final yr, the New York Metropolis Division of Transportation and NYCEDC launched a Request for Expressions of Curiosity (RFEI) for the Blue Highways Program in NYC. The objective of this system is to activate the marine freeway to maneuver items into and all through NYC. It is not going to solely assist cut back emissions but additionally cut back visitors congestion and enhance highway security by eradicating among the truck visitors from the Metropolis’s roadways and spark new alternatives for financial progress.  

Downtown Skyport’s concession settlement at DMH shall be for 5 years with a five-year renewal conditioned upon the well timed build-out of the eVTOL charging and maritime freight berthing infrastructure. Two extra five-year renewal choices can be found on the Metropolis’s discretion.  

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