The Fulton Fish Market in Hunts Point is getting a major investment aimed at modernizing the historic facility, reducing its environmental impact and creating stronger ties with the surrounding community.
The 204-year-old institution is the largest wholesale seafood market in the United States. About 1 million pounds of fish and seafood move through the market each night, with roughly half staying in New York City before making its way to restaurants, grocery stores and dinner tables.
City Council leaders say the new funding will help upgrade the market's infrastructure, including systems designed to reduce carbon emissions, better detect leaks, reuse excess heat and limit product loss.
Officials say those improvements could also help lower operating costs for businesses at the market.
The investment will also help make the facility more accessible to Hunts Point residents. Plans include opening the market for tours and creating a demonstration kitchen where community members can take classes.
The Fulton Fish Market operated at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan for about 180 years before relocating to Hunts Point roughly two decades ago.
Community leaders say the latest investment is also an opportunity to address environmental concerns residents have raised since the market moved into the neighborhood, while supporting the small businesses that operate inside the facility.
The market is home to a cooperative of 21 individual seafood businesses, many of which have been family-run for several generations.