Gowanus

The Gowanus neighborhood, originally a marshy tidal inlet, is extremely affected by the manmade canal that was once a creek. In 1849, the canal was built as a result of minimal dock space in Manhattan. In the late 1800’s gas and oil plants started popping up around the canal, which led to constant pollution and raw sewage in the soil and water (pretty much up until today). The BQE, built directly above the canal, also adds to the pollution what with its oil runoff. In the 1950’s Red Hook and Carroll Gradens was a heavily mob-run territory, and many bodies were dumped in the Gowanus canal.

Today Gowanus residents are growing more concerned about the state of the canal and the health risks it can cause. The mosquitoes are horrible around there, and “hurt more” (according to one Gowanus dweller). Bloomberg, developers, and the GCCDC refute the idea of the superfund, saying that cleaning the area would be a swifter process if private investors developed and swanked up the neighborhood. However, the EPA received a record number of signatures for a petition for the superfund (even though a petition isn’t necessarily needed to enact a superfund).

During the hurricane, our friends living close to the canal had to evacuate their apartment. We, too, were concerned and went to higher ground, seeking refuge on 22^nd st and 7^th ave in park slope. Although we don’t live directly on the canal, we recognize the issues and problems that face the residents of Gowanus, and we also feel the sense of community that has been built around it.

http://www.gowanuscanal.org/

http://www.gowanusyourfaceoff.com/?p=3603

http://gowanus.org/gccdc/

Nat/Hardy