Port of New York/New Jersey starts transfer of Brooklyn piers

Port of New York/New Jersey starts transfer of Brooklyn piers    The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Thursday started the process of transferring waterfront piers in Brooklyn to New York City.
   The bi-state agency approved a memorandum of understanding with the New York City Economic Development Corp. to begin the process of transferring Piers 7-12 to the city by the end of March 2007. The move is seen as a means to maintain maritime-related jobs along the Brooklyn waterfront.
   New York Gov. George Pataki said the state and city plan to develop a 'world-class passenger ship terminal to capitalize on the growing market for cruises.'
   The port authority's commissioners also agreed to allocate up to $75 million for future 'state-of-good-repair' projects to piers not being served by passenger ships.