Tomorrow’s Yesterdays: Historic Districts of the Future

Landmarks preservation is a benchmark of what makes Cobble Hill the great neighborhood we all cherish. Our colleagues at the Historic Districts Council just informed us of an upcoming program that is part of the ongoing HDC 2015 Preservation Conference, Landmarks at 50; Honoring Our Past, Imagining Our Future. This evening, they will hold an event in the area that will be of special interest to local landmarks aficionados. If you pre-register, use this link here for the Friend Rate.

Tomorrow’s Yesterdays: Historic Districts of the Future
March 18, 6:30 PM
Shape Shifter Lab
18 Whitwell Place
Gowanus

When Brooklyn Heights was designated the very first New York City historic district in 1965, the architectural styles found there exemplified the types of buildings that the Landmarks Preservation Commission saw as worthy of protection. While protecting classic Federals and grand rowhouses has never gone out of style, over the past 50 years, the question of what types of buildings can be landmarked has slowly been re-examined. Beginning in 1973 with the designation of the SoHo-Cast-Iron District, acceptance has slowly warmed to the potential diversity of historic districts, including with vernacular or industrial buildings. This panel will include a presentation of the evolution of historic districts by architectural historian Francis Morrone, before considering the issues of the present and future. The panelist, urban plannerPaul Graziano, Gowanus advocate Marlene Donnelly and Ward Dennis, Columbia University professor and Brooklyn Community Board 1 member, will discuss potential historic districts, technological and bureaucratic strategies for looking ahead, and questions such as Can Gowanus ever be designated? and Is there a place for a historic district in suburban Queens?

New Year, New Laws for Electronic Waste

If you unwrapped new TVs and iPhones this holiday season, be careful before just discarding your old ones in the trash. Effective January 1st, 2015 it will be illegal to dispose of electronics in with household trash. This is not meant to be a burden, but rather a simple way to avoid toxic materials from entering our waste streams. This change is actually the handiwork of our area's former City Councilman and current Mayor Bill de Blasio. He worked on this issue way back in 2008 and helped get the Lower East Side Ecology Center to do more recycling events in our area as a way to increase education on the topic before enacting policy changes.

If you cannot make it to one of the LESEC's many e-waste events this month, take advantage of their drop off center nearby in the Gowanus area. Laziness is no excuse for adding more pollutants and toxins to the trash.

For more on the sanitation change, check out WNYC.

Bridging the Gowanus - Community Planning Report

The Gowanus area sits just a few blocks away from Cobble Hill and so many residents have been closely following the community planning process this past year called "Bridging Gowanus." It sought to identify goals, discuss viewpoints, and build consensus around a framework for the infrastructure and land use regulations needed in the Gowanus Canal area.  Hundreds of local residents have been involved and all their collective input has informed the creation of a draft community planning framework, which will be presented on Monday November 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, at PS 32 (Hoyt and Union Streets). 

Following the presentation, those in person can provide their feedback. The presentation will also be posted on the web, with comments being directed towards info@bridginggowanus.org through the end of the year.

Gowanus Canal Remediation: Public Meetings Jan 23rd & 24th

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in late December released its Proposed Remedial Action Plan (PRAP) for the Gowanus Canal, which "describes the remedial alternatives considered for the Gowanus Canal Superfund site and identifies the preferred remedy with the rationale for this preference."

The preferred remedy being proposed by the EPA, for the upper and mid-reaches of the canal, consists of dredging all the hazardous "soft sediments" that have accumulated above the canal's native sediments, installing a multi-layered cap atop the native sediment, and stabilizing the native sediments in place in the areas of greatest contamination.  For the lower reach of the canal, the preferred remedy consists of the first two steps, minus the in-situ stabilization.  There are varied plans for the disposal of dredged materials.  In addition, the EPA is recommending the dredging of the filled-in 1st Street Turning Basin.  The EPA estimates the total cost of the preferred remedy at somewhere between $467 million and $504 million.

Furthermore, the EPA is recommending steps to prevent the recontamination of the canal through Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), as well as through the migration of harmful substances from contaminated upland sites.  The preferred remedy also presumes that the New York City Department of Environmental Protection will install retention basins with capacities of several million gallons at the canal's two largest sewer outfalls to help significantly reduce CSO events.

The 43-page Proposed Remedial Action Plan is available online as a PDF, at http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/gowanus/pdf/gowanus_prap.pdf.  The EPA will accept public comments until March 28th.  Written comments can be submitted via email to GowanusCanalComments.Region2@epa.gov, by fax to (212) 637-3966, or by mail to:

Christos Tsiamis

Remedial Project Manager

Central New York Remediation Section

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

290 Broadway, 20th Floor

New York, NY 10007-1866

The EPA is also holding two public meetings this week, on January 23rd and 24th, to present the conclusions of the Gowanus Canal Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study, provide further elaboration on the reasons behind its recommendation, and to accept public comments.  Details of those meetings are as follows:

January 23rd, 2013

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

PS 58, the Carroll School

330 Smith Street

Carroll Gardens

[Map]

January 24th, 2013

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Joseph Miccio Community Center

110 West 9th Street

Red Hook

[Map]

All comments made orally or submitted at the public meetings, and all comments submitted in writing by mail or electronic means, will be documented in the Responsiveness Summary Section of the Record of Decision, the EPA document that formalizes the selection of the final remedy.

The Superfund cleanup of the Gowanus Canal will have a profound impact on the neighborhoods that surround it.  We encourage you to review the PRAP, attend one of the meetings, and, if you're so inclined, to weigh in with comments.

Gowanus Canal Superfund Update

Just a few days ago, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency released their proposed Gowanus Canal cleanup plan and schedule of public meetings. 

The plan, the accompanying Press Release, and a new Feasibility Study Report Addendum can all be downloaded from: http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/gowanus/.

The EPA will hold public meetings on January 23, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at Public School 58, 330 Smith Street, Brooklyn and on January 24, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the NYCHA Miccio Community Center, 110 West 9th Street, Brooklyn to discuss the proposed plan and answer questions.
The EPA will accept public comments on its proposed plan until March 28, 2013. Also of note, the head of the EPA, Lisa Jackson, just recently stepped down from her position in the Obama administration. 

3rd Annual Holiday Toy Giveaway

The holiday season is upon us and we hope you think of your neighbors in need. The Gowanus Neighborhood Association, in partnership with Councilmember Stephen Levin will be sponsoring its 3rd annual holiday toy giveaway on Friday December 21st at 6pm in the Gowanus community center, 420 baltic st. (between Hoyt & Bond streets).

They are asking for contributions and/or donations for underprivileged, low-income children aged 1-12 yrs and accepting new, unopened toys, games puzzles and books for age appropriate girls and boys.

Your donations can be dropped off at the Councilmember’s district office

410 atlantic ave @bond st.

Mon.-Fri.  10am-6pm

Or arrangements can be made for pick-up by contacting:

Betty Lester 718-243-1252 or  Metin Sarci 718-875- 5200

EPA updates on Gowanus Canal feasibility Study

Iconic Image from local artist Tonky. www.tonkydesigns.com/index.html

While PS58's auditorium is already hosting tonight's meeting regarding the Public Place remediation along the Gowanus, it now seems the local elementary school will be host to another important meeting on Tuesday night @ 7pm. 

With a massive cleanup long overdue, the Environmental Protection Agency thankfully released its Feasibility Study (FS) for the Gowanus Canal at the end of 2011. It intends to "develop and evaluate remedial alternatives for Gowanus Canal sediments that will reduce or eliminate unacceptable risks to human health and the environment from exposure to contaminated sediment and surface water in the canal."

Local blog Pardon Me for Asking has been covering all the details thoroughly, with links to the full 550 page document here. For anyone interested in learning more about the clean up, please attend the EPA's public information meeting on the FS on Tuesday, January 24th at 7 PM in the auditorium of Public School 58, 330 Smith Street.

Public Place meeting, 1/23 @ 6:30p

This Monday, January 23rd, will be an important meeting for Cobble Hill residents and all neighborhoods within earshot of the Gowanus Canal as the clean up of the toxic 'Public Place' gets underway. Please see details below and follow the link to a fully detailed report.

The Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation is hosting a public information meeting to alert area residents of the impending health risks once National Grid begins clean up of the Public Place site (due to commence in February). And employing inadequate monitoring of potentially harmful vapors when coal tar is exposed to the atmosphere. A detailed report is available at this link http://bit.ly/AE33xJ

Day/Time: Monday, January 23, 2012 @ 6:30 P.M.
Location: The Carroll School, P.S. 58 - 330 Smith Street (entrance on Carroll St)

If you have any questions, call Bill Appel 718.858.0557 or e-mail to bill@gowanus.org

Green Gowanus Exhibit

Just found this upcoming weekend event in our inbox. We've supported the fight to Superfund, now let's stay invested in as we re-envision the canal's cleaner, greener future.

Our friends at Pardon Me For Asking, posted this invite with all the info.

Gowanus Canal Remedial Investigation Report

The Cobble Hill Association blog has been too busy for posts the past month.

Regretfully we were unable to write up our deep concern at Gov. Cuomo's potential closing of Long Island College Hospital, as well as our deep appreciation to the local electeds who helped keep its doors open. Thankfully, the local papers have plenty to bring you up to speed on our behalf.
* http://cobblehillblog.com/archives/6127
* http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=21&id=41361

But now that we are back to blogging, we do want to alert you of another important matter on the horizon.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011 
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM 
at P.S. 32, 317 Hoyt Street, Brooklyn

The EPA offers a public information meeting on the Gowanus Canal Remedial Investigation Report, to discuss the findings of the investigation, conducted by the EPA, to determine the nature and extent of contamination in the canal.  

 

The RI is also available online at:

www.epa.gov/region02/superfund/npl/gowanus/ri_docs.html 

For more information about the meeting or other site related issues you can contact Natalie Loney at loney.natalie@epa.gov or (212)637 3639.

Gowanus Toy Drive

Word just came in that our neighbors at the Gowanus Neighborhood Association, in partnership with Councilmember Stephen Levin, are launching their 1ST ANNUAL TOY DRIVE.

Gowanus is an economically strained community and most of the children in the development are from low income/ at-risk households and unfortunately may not get any presents this year. In today's economy everyone's finances are limited, but we're asking all who can, donate or contribute at least one gift to an underprivileged child, boys & girls aged 1-12 years old. All gifts should be safe, unopened, & dropped at the councilman's district office at 410 Atlantic Ave at Bond St, M-F, 10a-5p. For more info contact Betty Lester at bejay919@yahoo.com or 718-243-1252.

- - - And while we're sharing news from Cobble Hill's neighboring communities, check out the Brooklyn Eagle's update on our friends in Boerum Hill in their pursuit for landmark status to their district. The CHA fully supports their efforts to preserve a historic feel and keep development limited to the appropriate pedestrian scaled 50 foot limit we all enjoy.
http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=31&id=39767

Backpacks for Back-to-School

Betty Lester of the Gowanus Neighborhood Association sent over word that some area students need help obtaining backpacks for the upcoming first day of school. One backpack can make a difference!

FRIENDS OF NICHOLAS HEYWARD JR/GOWANUS PLAYGROUND
We are a group of local residents and parents, whose desire is to provide a clean, safe, open play space for children in the community. Our mission is to bring awareness to the park itself and reinforce the need to get involved.

Many/Most of the children that use the playground daily are from low income, at-risk households. We have sponsored several events throughout the summer to provide these children with recreational activities, as there are no affordable summer programs in their community. Operation Backpack is our last event of the summer, and is scheduled for August 27th from 2pm-6pm.

We were anticipating a donation of backpacks from Volunteers of America (VOA). However as the date draws near, we are being informed that their donations are for homeless children only. So we are in need of donations and/or contributions from our friends and neighbors. In today's economy we realize that everyone's finances are limited, but these children won't have school supplies through no fault of their own.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING US MAKE A KID SMILE ON THE 1st DAY OF SCHOOL!
Need more info? contact BETTY LESTER @beejay919@yahoo.com or 718-243-1252

Gowanus Canal Update

Cityroom section of NY Times provides an update on the Gowanus Canal, courtesy of Characters of Gowanus.  Well worth watching.


Cleaning the Canal from Characters of Gowanus on Vimeo.

Gowanus Superfund VICTORY

Crowning months of lobbying efforts by a coalition of civic groups including the Cobble Hill Association, the EPA has announced that it will be adding the Gowanus Canal to the National Superfund List of Hazardous Waste Sites. It is expected that the clean-up will take 10 to 12 years and will cost $350 million to $500 million. Thanks to US Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery, NYS Senator Daniel Squadron, NYS Assemblywoman Joan Millman and NYC Councilman Brad Lander for their support. 

 

The EPA will also be hosting a meeting this Thursday, March 4 at PS 58 at 7:00 pm. The meeting will focus on next steps in the Superfund process.

Thursday, March 4, 2010
from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
in the auditorium of PS 58
located at 330 Smith Street, Brooklyn, NY
(entrance to the school is on Carroll Street) 

Here are some highlights of statements released yesterday:

 "....designating this waterway as a Superfund site is simply the most reliable way to ensure we have the dollars and the coordination to undo years of environmental damage.  I commend the EPA not only for its conclusion but for its commitment to transparency and participation throughout the process."
                       - State Senator Daniel Squadron

"I am very enthusiastic to hear about Superfund designation of the Gowanus Canal, which was announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Previous EPA studies have confirmed that the Canal is highly toxic and requires comprehensive cleanup.  I am convinced that Superfund designation is the best approach for getting it done - to bring the substantial resources necessary, provide for optimal coordination between all interested parties, and best insure that the community is well-informed and involved.  Over time, I believe that Superfund designation will turn the Gowanus Canal area from a toxic remnant of mistreatment of the environment into a sustainable community resource for decades to come.
                     - Councilman Brad Lander

The clean-up of the Gowanus Canal has been the environmental challenge of our time and the Cobble Hill Association has been proud to stand together with all of our South Brooklyn neighbors and local elected officials to fight for Superfunding the Gowanus.

Congratulations to all of us!