# Educational Nonprofit Signs 60-Year Lease for Brooklyn Campus at Floyd Bennett Field
Runway Green, a workforce development nonprofit, has secured a 60-year lease for 7 acres at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn's Marine Park neighborhood. The National Park Service granted the agreement, clearing the path for a $60 million agricultural and environmental education facility on the former airfield near Jamaica Bay.
The deal represents a significant activation of underutilized federal parkland. Floyd Bennett Field, a decommissioned naval air station, has sat largely dormant for decades. The property spans 1,100 acres across Brooklyn and Queens, offering rare development opportunities within the city limits. Runway Green's lease unlocks potential for educational infrastructure in an area with limited institutional campus space.
The facility will focus on workforce development in agricultural and environmental sectors. This positioning reflects growing demand for training programs in green industries. Brooklyn's agricultural sector remains underdeveloped compared to other boroughs, and the Marine Park location provides proximity to Jamaica Bay's ecological restoration initiatives. Runway Green plans to serve students and job-seekers seeking credentials in sustainable agriculture, environmental remediation, and related fields.
The $60 million investment carries real estate implications for the broader Marine Park area. Educational anchors typically stabilize neighborhoods and attract complementary commercial activity. The lease's 60-year term creates long-term certainty for the operator while protecting federal interests in the parkland. The National Park Service retains ownership, ensuring public access standards and environmental compliance.
For Runway Green, the agreement validates their operational model and signals investor confidence. Workforce development nonprofits have struggled to access affordable real estate, particularly for hands-on training facilities requiring open space. The Floyd Bennett Field location eliminates costly ground lease payments that typically burden such organizations. Capital costs for construction can now concentrate on building systems rather than land premiums.
The timing aligns with New York State's green workforce initiatives and federal climate funding. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act funnel billions into environmental remediation, creating demand for trained workers. Educational facilities that graduate job-ready candidates capture this momentum. Runway Green's campus positioning supports the nonprofit's ability to place graduates into paid positions.
Potential challenges exist around infrastructure at Floyd Bennett Field. The site requires upgrades to utilities, road access, and parking. Historical contamination from its aviation past may demand environmental assessment and remediation before ground breaks. These costs could impact the final $60 million budget or extend timelines. Stormwater management and resilience planning matter given Jamaica Bay's flood vulnerability.
The Marine Park neighborhood benefits from institutional growth without residential displacement. The nonprofit's presence on parkland avoids consuming private real estate or generating gentrification pressure on adjacent residential blocks. Brooklyn Community Board 18 and local elected officials have expressed support for productive reuse of the field.
The lease also opens questions about other Floyd Bennett Field development. If Runway Green succeeds in building and operating the facility, the National Park Service may consider additional tenant agreements for compatible uses. Recreation, environmental research, and light educational facilities could follow. The precedent suggests federal agencies increasingly view underperforming parkland as opportunity for public-serving partnerships.
Runway Green plans to break ground once final approvals and financing close. The nonprofit has not disclosed construction timeline or enrollment projections. Completion could occur within 24 to 36 months, pending permitting.