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Floyd Bennett Field hangars get state funding to reopen after nearly a century

Floyd Bennett Field hangars get state funding to reopen after nearly a century

Built World New York, NY local

Governor Kathy Hochul committed $10 million for the first phase of converting Hangars 3 and 4 into public space.

Today: Hochul commits $10 million

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

New York City's first commercial airport has kept its two oldest hangars closed to the public for nearly a century. On Nov. 3, Governor Kathy Hochul committed $10 million for the first phase of reopening Hangars 3 and 4 at Floyd Bennett Field as an events and education space.

The money does not start construction. The National Park Service must first finish exterior work, and the Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy plans to break ground in early 2028. The project would add about 50,000 square feet of public space. Plans include solar and geothermal systems, bathrooms, concerts, kayaking and research labs.

Why it matters

The hangars would become public space for the first time in nearly a century, adding 50,000 square feet to Jamaica Bay.

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Key Indicators

$10M
State funding commitment
First-phase money announced by Governor Kathy Hochul.
2
Hangars in first phase
Hangars 3 and 4 would reopen to the public.
~100 years
Time closed to public
Gothamist reports the hangars have not been open to the public in nearly a century.
50,000 sq ft
Public space added
The full redevelopment would add about 50,000 square feet for public use.
2028
Planned groundbreaking
The conservancy plans to start after the National Park Service finishes exterior work.

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People Involved

Kathy Hochul
Kathy Hochul
Governor of New York
In office
AY
Anastasia Yankopoulos
Director of development and capital projects, Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Leading hangar redevelopment work
ES
Elizabeth Stoehr
Deputy director, Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Working on hangar redevelopment

Organizations Involved

Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy
Nonprofit park conservancy
Leading the hangar redevelopment and fundraising

The conservancy is managing the plan to turn Hangars 3 and 4 into public event and education space.
National Park Service
National Park Service
Federal agency
Manages Gateway National Recreation Area and hangar exteriors

The National Park Service manages Floyd Bennett Field as part of Gateway National Recreation Area.

Timeline

1931 November 2026

6 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Hochul commits $10 million

    Today Funding

    Governor Kathy Hochul commits $10 million for first-phase hangar redevelopment.

  2. Coast Guard helicopter use ends

    History

    The Coast Guard stops using the facility for its helicopters.

  3. Gateway National Recreation Area created

    History

    The airfield reopens as part of Gateway National Recreation Area under the National Park Service.

  4. Navy use ends

    History

    The airfield's use as a naval base during and after World War II ends.

  5. Field becomes second-busiest US airport

    History

    Floyd Bennett Field handles more than double Newark Airport's flights.

  6. Floyd Bennett Field opens

    History

    New York City's first commercial airport opens after roughly three years of construction.

Scenarios

1

Conservancy breaks ground on hangar project in early 2028

Possible Resolves by Q2 2028

Discussed by: Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy and Gothamist

The conservancy says it plans to start first-phase construction in early 2028 after the National Park Service finishes exterior work. If fundraising stays on track, the one-year phase would install solar and geothermal systems, bathrooms and event infrastructure in Hangars 3 and 4.

2

Fundraising shortfall delays hangar reopening

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Gothamist reporting on the project's ongoing fundraising

The $10 million covers the first phase, but the conservancy is still raising money for the project. A shortfall would push back the planned 2028 start and leave the hangars closed longer.

3

Hangars open to public by 2030

Possible Resolves by End of 2030

Discussed by: Project plans reported by Gothamist

If construction and National Park Service exterior work finish, Hangars 3 and 4 would host public events, labs, kayaking and park programs. The opening would be the first public access in nearly a century.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1931

Floyd Bennett Field opens (1931)

New York City's first commercial airport opened after roughly three years and $4.5 million. In 1933 it handled more than double Newark Airport's flights, making it the second-busiest airport in America.

Then

The field became a major aviation hub, with famous pilots including Amelia Earhart, John Glenn and Howard Hughes using it.

Now

Commercial aviation moved on, the airfield was decommissioned, and its hangars remained largely closed to the public.

Why this matters now

The current project aims to reopen those same hangars as public space.

World War II-1998

Naval and Coast Guard use (1940s-1998)

During World War II the airfield became a naval base. The Navy used it until 1970, and the Coast Guard continued to use the facility for helicopters until 1998.

Then

Military use kept the airfield active but did not open the historic hangars to the public.

Now

The site retained a stock of historic structures that later became part of a national park.

Why this matters now

The hangars' long closure is the baseline the new project is trying to change.

1974

Gateway National Recreation Area (1974)

The airstrip reopened as part of Gateway National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service. The runways now host New York City Police Department helicopters, radio-controlled craft, a campground and astronomy events.

Then

The site became a park, but the hangars remained inaccessible.

Now

The National Park Service now must finish exterior improvements before the conservancy can begin construction.

Why this matters now

The park framework is the authority structure the hangar project must work within.

Sources

(1)
Gothamist