By Dawn Michelle LaGuerre
Mohawk Valley Voice
New York has announced a $10 million grant to help restore two historic hangars at Floyd Bennett Field and prepare them for public programs, education and workforce development.
The funding will go to the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy for work on Hangars 3 and 4, according to the November 2 announcement from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office.
The Dormitory Authority of the State of New York will administer the investment. State officials describe the work as the first phase of a broader effort to bring year-round activity to the former aviation site.
Cover: AI-generated architectural illustration of a generic historic hangar. It is not a depiction of Floyd Bennett Field or the funded hangars.
What the money will support
The state says the first phase will restore the interiors of the two hangars and allow affordable public programming as redevelopment continues. Planned uses include education services, workforce development, technology and park programming.
The announcement does not give a public opening date or a detailed construction schedule. It also does not identify a number of new jobs. The grant therefore should be understood as funding for redevelopment, rather than evidence that a finished facility or a new training program is already operating.
Historic buildings within a national recreation area
Floyd Bennett Field was New York City’s first municipal airport and is now part of Gateway National Recreation Area. The project seeks to reuse existing historic structures while expanding access to education, culture and open space.
The conservancy says it is working with the National Park Service on the hangars’ future. Its stated plans include arts and culture, environmental research and restoration, workforce development and places for community gatherings.
CUNY’s Science and Resilience Institute at Jamaica Bay is also described in the announcement as a partner with the Park Service and conservancy in work tied to climate solutions and public discovery.
What comes next
The immediate funded task is interior restoration and reactivation of the hangars. The wider vision will require more detailed decisions about programming and the redevelopment schedule.
This is a New York City investment, not a Mohawk Valley construction award. It adds to the state’s use of capital grants for historic-site redevelopment and workforce-oriented public space. Visitors should look for future official announcements before planning around programs that have not yet been scheduled.
Source material checked November 5, 2026.