On The Passing Of Gowanus Activist And Historic Preservationist Linda Mariano

Linda Mariano at Yesterday's News 2018

Dear Readers,

The news that Gowanus resident Linda Mariano has passed last night after a brief illness was shared amongst those who knew her with infinite sorrow.  This morning, it feels as if a huge empty space has opened up in the neighborhood, which she called home and loved so dearly.

To have known Linda will forever be one of the greatest privileges of my life. She could brighten the cloudiest day with her huge smile and laugh. She was a fearless activist, and passionate advocate for Gowanus. She always spoke truth to power and taught many that one never gives up fighting for what is right.  Over the years, she became a mentor to many of us and we all aspired to become just like her. She was fiercely loyal to her friends and her house was always open for a glass of wine, some food and stimulating discussions. 

Most neighborhood residents might remember her from Yesterday's News, the Court Street vintage store, where she worked on week-ends for many years.

Linda moved to Gowanus with her husband Joseph Mariano and daughter Rachel over 40 years ago from Manhattan. They bought a dilapidated house on President Street in the 1970's, which they lovingly restored into a welcoming home. They displayed a black and white photo of what the building had looked like when they first laid eyes on it, as a reminder of how they had saved this piece of neighborhood history.  In the spring, Linda would plant her window boxes with the brightest fuchsia geraniums, making the house the prettiest on the block.

Linda was one of the founding members of Friends Of Greater Gowanus (F.R.O.G.G.), a group that was founded in 2002 to safe the Green Building on Union Street near the canal when the old brick building was slated for demolition to make way for a high rise.
Together with F.R.O.G.G., Linda became a very vocal supporter of the Environmental Protection Agency's Superfund designation of the Gowanus Canal and was a founding member of the Gowanus Superfund Community Advisory Group after the designation in 2010.

However, as passionate as she was about the environment, it was preservation of the neighborhood that was always her main focus. She tirelessly worked with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC), the Historic Districts Council (HDC), and the NYS Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), to pursue historic designation of the Gowanus Corridor as an Urban Industrial District.

In 2019, because of her perseverance, five important Gowanus buildings were landmarked by New York City.  But of course, she wanted to save many more. It comes at no surprise that she vehemently opposed the massive rezoning for Gowanus which is currently being discussed.

On a personal note, I cannot express the deep sadness I feel at knowing that I will never sit around her kitchen table with other members of FROGG again,  envisioning a better and more sustainable future for the neighborhood than the plan cooked up by developers.  

She will forever be my role model, and I will try, in my way, to continue to make her Gowanus dreams a reality.

My deepest sympathy goes to her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughters, whom she loved passionately.

We share your sorrow.

To hear Linda tell her own story, please visit the Preservation Archive Project

Joseph and Linda Mariano at their home in 2009

With Marlene Donnelly and Bette Stoltz, receiving a Preservation League grant

As Miss Gowanus at a 2011 Gowanus Canal Flushing Tunnel Centennial Parade

Linda leading a Municipal Arts "Gowanus Jane's walk" 2016

Linda with Brad Vogel of Gowanus Landmarking Coalition in front of 

the Gowanus Station building in 2018

Linda Mariano of FROGG and Gowanus Landmarking Coalition

Gowanus' very own Jane Jacobs 2019

A very happy moment with FROGGS in 2019.

from left to right, Margaret Maugenest,  Marlene Donnelly, Linda Mariano and me.