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NEW YORK—New York City officials announced that following a competitive procurement process, the New York City Economic Development Corp., on Dec. 30 conditionally selected Aurora-Primus—a joint venture design-build firm with Aurora Contractors, LLC of Ronkonkoma, NY and Primus Builders, Inc. of Woodstock, GA as principal entities—to execute the $405-million redevelopment of the expansive Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx.
Over the next six months, the parties will work together to advance the project design and make sure the operational needs of the Hunts Point Produce Cooperative can be met at a financially sustainable cost. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026. Once constructed by NYCEDC, the new facility will be leased by the Hunts Point Produce Cooperative.
In March, NYCEDC issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) seeking statements of qualifications from qualified firms interested in performing the design, construction, and other identified activities for the Hunts Point Produce Market Redevelopment; a request for proposals was issued to a shortlist of firms that responded to the RFQ and the city.
Backed by $405 million in city, state, federal funding, and an anticipated federal loan, the project will create a new state-of-the-art, intermodal food distribution facility, improve air quality for nearly 13,000 Bronx residents who live on the Hunts Point Peninsula, and generate more than 2,000 new construction jobs, as well as preserve living-wage jobs already at the current market, city officials stated.
The project is backed by $130 million in city funding, $130 million in state funding through Empire State Development, $145 million in funding through federal grants (including the Federal Highway Administration), and financing anticipated to be raised by NYCEDC through a railroad rehabilitation and an improvement financing loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The Hunts Point Produce Cooperative—which consists of approximately 26 businesses—sources more than 2.5 billion pounds of produce each year; the cooperative then distributes that produce across New York City and beyond. The current market employs thousands of New Yorkers, supplies 25% of the city’s fresh produce, and occupies more than 100 acres in Hunts Point. It consists of four primary warehouse structures, two adjunct warehouses, and various administrative and maintenance structures all housing approximately 26 merchants. The businesses range from small firms with three employees to large firms with approximately 400 employees.
Hunts Point Produce Market Co-President Stephen Katzman said, “This agreement represents an important milestone and creates a clear framework for the next phase of work as we advance planning and design for a modern, more sustainable market that supports our mission of feeding New York City with fresh produce from around the world.”
Published: January 20, 2026.