Street Work Surprises Degraw Residents
A Degraw Street resident wrote in concerned about the major construction work that sprung up without warning on Degraw between Court and Clinton this week. The work, which could last up to two years, is part of the Gowanus clean-up construction we observed earlier this month. The Brooklyn Paper writes that “One lane of Degraw…
A Degraw Street resident wrote in concerned about the major construction work that sprung up without warning on Degraw between Court and Clinton this week. The work, which could last up to two years, is part of the Gowanus clean-up construction we observed earlier this month. The Brooklyn Paper writes that “One lane of Degraw Street at the intersection of Tompkins Place will be closed for 26 months” to access an “underground flushing tunnel” to the Gowanus Canal. (Apparently a resident was told by an onsite foreman it would be a good idea for residents to keep their windows closed during construction.) Nearby residents are mostly concerned they were not given any advance notice of the duration or purpose of construction. “Who knew that a major eyesore could just pop up overnight right in front of your house with no notice nor information about what’s happening or how long it will go on for?” writes a resident. “For anyone who may have been planning to put their house on the market, good luck; even trying to rent a place may present a challenge.”
Anyone in the Gowanus nabe that is planning on putting their house on the market should be pleased as punch if Gowanus gets cleaned up. I didn’t buy there a fwe years ago because the prospect of canal revitalization was so dim. I would buy there if it was being worked on, with a promise to end in a few years (not that this = Gowanus rehab)
“Who knew that a major eyesore could just pop up overnight right in front of your house with no notice nor information about what’s happening or how long it will go on for?”
I knew. Not really YOUR house. You own the RIGHTS to rent it from the city (property taxes). Don’t believe me? Stop paying property taxes.
***Bid half off peak comps***
Why is this news in Cobble Hill and not Carroll Gardens?
Henry street south of Carroll “is all tore up” with her insides out.
I do agree that people should have known this was coming but I think this is unfair for older age groups.
Anyone who didn’t see the spray paint schemes on the sidewalk and streets for the last year and the surveyors milling about must have been away.
I now think twice before working from home – dogs will be barking (people will be calling 311) and sidewalks and streets will be closed. All really unpleasant but worth it.
I believe this construction isn’t related to the Super Fund status. Aren’t they fixing the whole pump system independent of the Super Fund cleanup? I know that’s why they sank that huge pipe in the canal a few months back so they could pump aerated water into it as a means to flush it out until the pumping system was back online.
I can see why people who live there would be annoyed but in the end I don’t really think it’ll hurt their sale of property if someone should want to sell in the next two years. Besides, doesn’t that post say they were upset they weren’t told how long it was last, not that it was happening?
This is going on near the end of Degraw, too, where it hits Columbia Street. Right by the water. They have put little stickers on side-by-side buildings, right where they touch, to monitor the sinking — that’s right, our buildings are sinking and could possibly fall into the street, what with the giant hole they have dug so close to the water table. So yeah, on a selfish level I’m gonna say waaaaaaah to that. Good for Brooklyn perhaps, but possibly negligent/shitty engineering.
Sweet! Time to make my lowball offer. I might even throw a bed-bug-bomb into the windows a month in advance to scare off potential bidders.
so – if this whiner were given letters, emails, loudspeaker announcements , reminders for past 6 months – what would have changed?
how would you be better prepared?
A public improvement project is necessary. Quit complaining.
Where do they find these clueless people?
There have been public meetings on this project. It’s been covered in the newspaper and even here on Brownstoner. This should not have come as a surprise to anyone.
its like not being told all the geese are getting shot