Third Avenue Businesses Pushing Change in Gowanus

It’s no secret that there have been big changes in Gowanus and that developers, despite the polluted canal, toxic flood waters and dead sea mammals, continue to pursue projects there. Over the weekend Crain’s took a look at all of the businesses springing up along Third Avenue (between Union Street and Prospect Expressway). A few locals were concerned that an increasing number of upscale businesses–Littleneck Clam Shack, Runner and Stone, Fletcher’s Brooklyn Barbecue, Twig Terrariums and others–may herald another Williamsburg in the making. There is even a multimedia, pirate-themed miniature golf course, where golfers play through underwater scenes and jungles, looking for space in the area. “Fourth Avenue has been a disaster,” said a local novelist, presumably concerned that Third Avenue will follow suit. The Gowanus Alliance is trying to preserve dwindling industrial zones–just last week a filmmaking equipment rental business leased a 72,000 square foot space on ninth Street. The writer didn’t uncover much more opposition than that (though certainly there are others opposing such development). With the massive, 700 unit Lightstone project just across the Gowanus Canal from Third Avenue and other commercial ventures on the way including Whole Foods, several new restaurants, the shuffle board club and the possibility of pirate-themed mini golf, is the Williamsburgization of the neighborhood inevitable?