A fall opening is planned for the terminal

The new, 32,000-square-foot World Financial Center Terminal in Battery Park City (BPC) is on track for a late-summer opening, according to the Port Authority. Speaking to Community Board 1 on July 1st, the agency said that final docking, installation, and construction for the $50 million barge continues through late September 2008, expanding BPC ferry access to five slips.

Janet Cox, Port Authority general manager for ferry transportation, explained that the agency owns the barge while Battery Park City Authority serves as its landlord. The terminal will be operated by BillyBey Ferry Company, which runs all of the agency’s trans-Hudson ferry services. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., the glass-walled terminal will be used by several commuter ferry companies including NY Waterway, New York Water Taxi, and Seastreak.

Built in Texas and outfitted in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, the floating terminal was moored on the Hudson River last month at Vesey Street. It replaces the existing temporary terminal, and will offer seating, bathrooms, and concessions, and be fully wheelchair accessible.