Gowanus Framework Ideas and Feedback

Green Spaces

Although the preservation of Thomas Greene Park is wonderful it was sad that there were not more proposed green spaces for Gowanus. Green spaces are GOOD! and make for healthy communities. Some of the greatest NY neighborhoods, have an abundance of green spaces. With such a polluted past it would wonderful too see Gowaus do about face and become a leader in neighborhood green spaces. Gowanu deserves its day in the sun and in more than one park.

Do a thorough pollution assessment of the department of transportation Hamilton Ave. plant and other industrial plants in Gowanus

Frequently the plant on Hamilton Ave. emits enormous amounts of smoke. Sometimes, the air smells like sulfur or other toxic chemicals. It is clearly unsafe. There is also considerable truck traffic on 3rd avenue. Air pollution is a serious and so far neglected issue in this neighborhood.

Publish a report on the website that shows how toxic the water is. Keep it up-to-date every day. Show a map of where the pollution is and

and where it's coming from.

Provide updates on the Ferrara Bros site redevelopment.

Proposed Building Heights

The current proposed building heights are entirely too tall. Adding this kind of height would dramatically change the framework of the neighborhood. No new buildings should be higher than 6 stories with in the Gowanus neighborhood. The city needs to take a much more serious approach to solving affordable housing, they need to look within and use the powers of their office instead of flooding the market with more units. Raise the affordable housing unit minimum from 20/30 to at least 40%