A Reminder To All That We Need To Continue Fighting For The "Most Stringent, Future-Thinking Mitigation Measures" For Gowanus

It is hard to believe that 2021 is only a few days old, what with all the events of the past week. When the country seems out of control and many feel powerless, it may make sense to remind ourselves that we can still help bring about  significant change and a better outcome for our communities through old-fashioned  peaceful activism.  

In 2009 and 2010, I was a member of the largest coalition of South Brooklyn civic groups from both sides of the canal ever assembled to fight for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placing the Gowanus Canal on its list of Superfunds.  

The common mission of all those in the coalition was to demonstrate that our community stood united and firmly behind the Superfund designation for the heavily polluted canal, because we had come to understand that only the Federal Government has the science, know-how and the best array of tools at their disposal to clean the canal to the highest level. Nothing else would do.

It was a hard fight.  Many may remember that then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg set in motion a shameless lobbying campaign to derail the Superfund designation. He was supported in his efforts by our then-Councilmember Bill de Blasio.

Their reasons for blocking the nomination became clear quite quickly: 

the EPA identified New York City as the second largest polluter of the Gowanus for allowing untreated sewage to discharge into the canal during heavy rain events. At the same time, Bloomberg and De Blasio were pushing a rezoning of the Gowanus area from manufacturing to mostly residential.

Developers, who had already speculated and secured their plot of land in Gowanus, were not happy about the EPA designation. They were lobbying our elected officials themselves and donated generously to deBlasio's  own Mayoral  Campaign.

Of course, the community and science prevailed and the EPA placed the Gowanus Canal on its list of most polluted sites in 2010.  Just this past November, the long awaited dredging of toxic material at the bottom of the waterway began. It was a proud moment for those who had fought so hard for it.

My friend and long-time Cobble Hill resident Roy Sloane, who represented the Cobble Hill Association in our coalition, recently reminded me of this important win for the community.

In his letter below, he encourages us all to continuing to advocate for the most thorough environmental clean-up and for the future of Gowanus.

Thank you for allowing me to share your words of caution with the community, Roy.

Hi Katia,

I wanted to write to congratulate you, all of the community associations and all of the individuals who were part of the coalition that fought to have the Gowanus Canal designated as a Superfund site. The start of the dredging that began on November 19th is the direct result of this community-initiated effort and truly marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the Gowanus Canal and it’s surrounding community. I am proud to have been a part of the grand alliance of civic organizations we assembled for the fight to clean up the Love Canal in our midst and want to thank all of the individuals and civic associations who helped make this incredible, positive transformation possible!

The clean-up of the Gowanus Canal should be added to the list of major citizen-initiated movements that have helped transform Brooklyn into one of the most exciting, vibrant urban communities in the world: the brownstone revival movement that took root here in the 50’s and 60’s, the citizen-led effort that led to the creation of Brooklyn Bridge Park and even the creation of the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. These all began as individual efforts and civic initiatives. The canal clean-up will rank high as one more example of the community-powered, community-led movements that have contributed so much to improving the quality of life in Brooklyn.

I do urge all to continue the fight to guarantee that all contaminants and toxic materials are safely removed and to insist on the most stringent, future-thinking mitigation measures be required to completely protect any future residents. For all of us, the battle was not to re-build or re-develop the Gowanus neighborhood, it was to protect all our current and future residents. Personally, I do also hope that a slower pace of development post-COVID might allow for the preservation and protection of more of the historic architectural and industrial character of the Gowanus.

Again, thank you to the great coalition of organizations that united to fight for the Superfund designation just a few years ago — Friends And Residents Of Greater Gowanus , Carroll Gardens Coalition for Respectful Development , Carroll Gardens Neighborhood Association, Gowanus Houses, Cobble Hill Association and Riverkeeper and especially all the individuals who participated in the lobbying effort should take deep pride that this major milestone has been achieved: dredging has actually begun!

All the best, Roy Sloane

Roy Sloane, long time Cobble Hill resident and former Cobble Hill Association president

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Brooklyn Bridge Park Without Housing: Round Two Coming Up

The second Public Hearing On Alternatives To Housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park will be held on Thursday, December 9th. As Roy Sloane, President of the Cobble Hill Association notes below, members of the community overwhelmingly opposed the idea of luxury housing in a public park. The public put forth a number of ideas to generate revenue for the park to fund its operation and maintenance, but the main point to consider is that our parks DO generate sizable revenues. However, moneys made from concessions within our parks get thrown into the general city budget and do not get redistributed to the Park's Department, which is permanently underfunded. Instead, Mayor Bloomberg would rather privatize this public park by opening it up to developers.

Though everyone is busy with Holiday preparations, please take the time to attend and to voice your opinion at Thursday's hearing. Below is the meeting reminder by Roy Sloane.

Hi All,

We did great at the first hearing (34 against/ 4 in favor), but need more voices for a big push at the final hearing in Brooklyn Heights:

Thursday, December 9, 2010, 6pm – 8pm

St. Francis College*,

180 Remsen Street

Founders Hall Auditorium, 1st floor

The city is still planning to build 5 more luxury condo and hotel towers inside the park’s borders, with two particularly non-compatible buildings at 20 and 30 stories high planned for Pier 6 at Atlantic Avenue. And despite what some may think, these luxury high-rise towers are not needed to fund the park’s maintenance. There are many solutions to “pay” for park maintenance. When condos came into the park all year round recreation came out. Landscaping replaced the two pools, the indoor recreation center and ice rink that the community had worked so hard for decades to get. Landscaping sells condos while baseball fields do not.

We now have a unique opportunity to regain the recreational facilities our children need at the same time tell the city planners that we do not want more housing inside the park’s borders. Residents are asked to come to two public comment meetings on Tuesday, November 30^th at 6 PM at Long Island College Hospital and again on Thursday, December 9^th at 6 PM at St. Francis College on Montague Street.

These public meetings are critical to demonstrating yet again the importance of our parks, the real value they provide to the livability of the city, and to the actual dollars they “put back” into city coffers. The rise in DUMBO values since their part of the park opened is evidence enough of a park’s tax value. A recent proposal offered by community members – to negotiate a deal with the Jehovah Witnesses to develop their soon-to-be-abandoned buildings close to the park, for the benefit of park financing – is gaining traction. Other park funding models, including Senator Squadron’s park increment recapture proposal (named the PIRC plan) also offer relief from the draconian condos inside park borders plan.

But you need only come out and say no to housing, and yes to recreation! For over 25 years, we in South Brooklyn have worked to secure a park along the waterfront. We are pleased that residents are finally able to access the waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge Park. But our job as a community is not over.

Thank you,

Roy Sloane

President, Cobble Hill Association

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Public Park Or Private Enclave? Last Night's Public Hearing On Alternatives To Housing In Brooklyn Bridge Park

i

From left, Seth Pinsky President of New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC),

2nd from left: Paul Nelson For Assemblymember Joan Millman,
3rd from left: a woman sitting in for Robert Steel  

4th from left: Regina Myer, President of Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corp.

second from right: John Ruskin of State Senator Squadron's office

Councilman Steve Levin

Councilman Brad Lander

Last night at Long Island College Hospital, the first of two public hearings on alternatives to housing in Brooklyn Bridge Park took place. In front of Regina Myer, President of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, representatives of NY State Assemblywoman Joan Millman and State Senator Squadron, and the Mayor's office, residents shared their ideas on how to generate revenue for the park to fund its operation and maintenance. Most also took the opportunity to voice their frustration with the City's hijacking of a public park for development.
In 2002, New York State and City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which requires that the Brooklyn Bridge Park "be financially self sufficient with annual operation and maintenance expenses funded by revenue generated from within the project."  In order to accomplish this, five sites within the park were identified for development.  This idea met with immediate resistance from many in the community.
In March 2010, State Senator Squadron and Assemblywoman Joan Millman were able to convince the City to sign another Memorandum Of Understanding which prompted the formation of a Subcommittee on Alternatives to Housing (SHA.)  It also called for two public hearings.
Though some speakers last night supported the idea, many in the audience had worked tirelessly for the last twenty-five years to secure the park along the waterfront and were strongly opposed to residential luxury condos of 15 to 31 stories in the park.  The overwhelming sentiment expressed by the community was that Brooklyn Bridge Park should be a public park and not a "private enclave with tastefully arranged landscaping around it."
Councilmembers Brad Lander and Steve Levin spoke out against the housing as well.


Written testimony will be accepted till Monday, December 13th at 5 PM.  Submit to Bay Area Economics Consulting at bbptestimony@bae1.com


Below are some of the testimonies (and alternatives) given last night.

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Come Out To Support A Brooklyn Bridge Park...Without Condos

UPDATE ON TUESDAY'S  MEETING  HERE:

Public Park Or Private Enclave? 

Last Night's Public Hearing On Alternatives To Housing In Brooklyn Bridge Park

It took decades of planning, of jumping over hurdles, and sheer determination by dedicated community members to get the beautiful new Brooklyn Bridge Park that we all enjoy now.  But one important hurdle remains: to deter the city from building luxury housing inside the park.  Because, truly, parks should be green, and free of personal interests, no?

The city says the high-rise condos are needed to pay for the park's maintenance. Not so, say those in the community who have been involved with the project from the start.

To understand the issue, please read the detailed letter below from Roy Sloane, President of the Cobble Hill Association:

Hi All,

For over 25 years, we in South Brooklyn have worked to secure a park along the waterfront. We are pleased that residents are finally able to access the waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge Park. But our job as a community is not over.
The city is still planning to build 5 more luxury condo and hotel towers inside the park’s borders, with two particularly non-compatible buildings at 20 and 30 stories high planned for Pier 6 at Atlantic Avenue. And despite what some may think, these luxury high-rise towers are not needed to fund the park’s maintenance. There are many solutions to “pay” for park maintenance. When condos came into the park all year round recreation came out. Landscaping replaced the two pools, the indoor recreation center and ice rink that the community had worked so hard for decades to get. Landscaping sells condos while baseball fields do not.
We now have a unique opportunity to regain the recreational facilities our children need at the same time tell the city planners that we do not want more housing inside the park’s borders. Residents are asked to come to two public comment meetings on Tuesday, November 30th at 6 PM at Long Island College Hospital and again on Thursday, December 9th at 6 PM at St. Francis College on Montague Street. 

These public meetings are critical to demonstrating yet again the importance of our parks, the real value they provide to the livability of the city, and to the actual dollars they “put back” into city coffers. The rise in DUMBO values since their part of the park opened is evidence enough of a park’s tax value. A recent proposal offered by community members – to negotiate a deal with the Jehovah Witnesses to develop their soon-to-be-abandoned buildings close to the park, for the benefit of park financing – is gaining traction. Other park funding models, including Senator Squadron’s park increment recapture proposal (named the PIRC plan) also offer relief from the draconian condos inside park borders plan.
But you need only come out and say no to housing, and yes to recreation! Please make sure that your voice is heard at the two public hearings:

Tuesday, November 30, 2010, 6pm – 8pm

Long Island College Hospital, 339 Hicks Street

Avram Conference Center, 1st floor

Thursday, December 9, 2010, 6pm – 8pm

St. Francis College*, 180 Remsen Street

Founders Hall Auditorium, 1st floor

Thank you, 

Roy Sloane
President, Cobble Hill Association

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Congresswoman Yvette Clarke Still Straddling The Fence Regarding Gowanus Superfund

Monday night at Christ Church

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke

Cobble Hill Association President Roy Sloane

Yvette Clarke with her local representative Deanna Bitetti (left)

Gowanus Resident and Pro-Superfund activist Betty Lester

For its first Community Roundtable with our local elected officials, the Cobble Hill Association hosted Congresswoman Yvette Clarke on Monday evening at the Christ Church on Clinton Street.

After an introduction by Roy Sloane, president of the Cobble Hill Association, Ms. Clarke spoke at length about the nearly $38 million in federal appropriations dollars for the 11th Congressional District of New York, which she has been able to secure. She also updated the community on her work on the various House committees and sub-committees she has been assigned to.

On her work on the Health Care Reform Committee, she stated that she is not encouraged by the plan proposed by the Senate, because it lacks a public option. She also feels that the proposal does not put enough emphasis on preventive care, and would leave the system open to runaway cost. "It baffles me how they expect to contain cost. The Senate left the door open for the 'wolves' to continue feeding the way they have."

On the economy and on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Clarke talked about the need to stabilize and strengthen local businesses, the staggering unemployment rate and the proposed measures to spur the creation of new jobs.

On Homeland Security, and the recent breaches in airline security, she explained that bureaucracy is very slow to change and that we must be "more dynamic in the use of tools put in place to keep us safe."

On education, she is in favor of expanding programs in early childhood development and in investing to bolster college access to students. We need to "improve productivity for the future by investing in our children."

Congresswoman Clarke also spoke about the Environmental Protection Agency's proposal to place the highly toxic Gowanus Canal on its list of Superfund Sites. (See video) After more than eight months of her staff's claim of due-diligence and New York City's opposing plans for cleaning the Gowanus Canal, our Congresswoman has managed to reach no decision. She merely hides behind the tired claim that the Superfund does not have enough money, while admitting that the city has even less. What can she be thinking?

Claiming that "she saw no integrity in the EPA process because it is not funded" and that "the EPA has not connected the dots" to make her support the Superfund listing, Ms. Clarke clearly angered and exasperated many in the audience, including me. It was frankly baffling how Ms. Clarke intends to continue straddling the fence on this issue, when most of our other local officials, including Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, have come out in support for the Superfund listing. Explaining away her indecision by claiming that "I am a conflict resolution person" is frankly amateurish.

If this is an example of her abilities in representing her constituents then we can do better.

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

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