Marty Bikes For Gowanus, Sponge Park Gains Traction

Borough President Marty Markowitz tested the seat on this AdRide bicycle the Gowanus Canal Conservancy used to promote its first Gowanus Goes Green festival scheduled this Sunday, but he definitely didn’t hoof it around Park Slope and Carroll Gardens. Two other guys did that. The eco-themed festival will be held canal-side at The Yard and will feature live music and exhibitors, including Public Place developers Gowanus Green, led by the Hudson Companies, and the Conservancy, again rolling out its Sponge Park proposal. Conservancy president Bob Zuckerman told us they’ve been getting good reception on their runoff-soaking park from most of the key players. City Planning, which will be holding another zoning meeting this Thursday, was “very receptive,” he said, noting that they’re both proposing a mandatory 40-foot setback from the canal for a promenade that would be subject to some uniform design codes. Since the Conservancy is part of the Gowanus Green team, Zuckerman said their respective landscape architects have been working together. And he said they’ve met with Toll Brothers, which has started the land use review process for their own mixed-use development further up the canal that would require public waterfront access if approved. The only wild card is the recreational park the Conservancy has proposed across the canal from Public Place. Zuckerman said they haven’t contacted the owners, which according to records are the city and C&A Properties. Waddya say, city? Care to ante up?
Gowanus Group Proposes ‘Sponge Park’ to Soak Run-Off [Brownstoner]
Gowanus Sponge Park: The Plan, Close Up[Gowanus Lounge]