Not Everyone Wants Gowanus To Be Soho-ized
Along the Gowanus Canal, progress (in the form of cleaner waters and improvements to the housing stock) is being met with skepticism and, in some cases, resistance by long-time residents. Forming groups like Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus, or Frogg, locals, many of them who’ve spent a lifetime working in the nabe’s factories, have…
Along the Gowanus Canal, progress (in the form of cleaner waters and improvements to the housing stock) is being met with skepticism and, in some cases, resistance by long-time residents. Forming groups like Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus, or Frogg, locals, many of them who’ve spent a lifetime working in the nabe’s factories, have been fighting the encroaching gentrification one project at a time. To date, they have blocked requests for variances to convert a four-story warehouse at 255 Butler Street into a 6-story building with 53 apartments, replace a graffiti-scarred plant at 450 Union Street with a 7-story condo building, and convert an export-import company at 130 Third Street to apartments. (Not every project has been blocked, however: A 100-room Comfort Inn is rising on the edge of Gowanus and Whole Foods has cleared a nearly square-block space at Third Street for a Brooklyn market.) But that’s all just a warm-up for what is sure to be the mother of all battles against Lev Leviev and Shaya Boymelgreen’s plans for Gowanus Village. (Does anyone know where to find schematics of their plan?) We suspect that the majority of people are open to more housing but not at the expense of preserving the neighborhood’s character. But that’s always the way it is, isn’t it? Rarely is it an easy line to walk.
From Open Sewer to Gentrification [NY Times]
Don’t be so sure that Buddy Scotto has the unfettered support of the “old-timers”. Quite the contrary. Newcomers ask, “Buddy who?” I took my kids to the annual Halloween shingding in Carroll Park and he was the scariest thing there. I’ve suspected for years that he has been nipping at the embalming fluid. If he is not 80 he is close to it.
OK – here is one reason that residential development is inappropriate – the area is swamp – and the soil will not support hi-rise structures. Developers have to use screw in pilons which they are loathe to do because it is more expensive. Dig down a few feet and you hit water as the developers of a Scarano project recently found out. Oh, and there was also the Catepillar that sunk on a lot on Union and Bond.
I was actually at the Community Board 6 meeting that voted to deny allowing a variance for 255 Butler (that is, voting to let them build residential in a manufacturing district). The meeting was pretty interesting: on one side was an expensive lawyer and real estate brokers, on the other side were folks from the other manufacturing buildings nearby, along with a representative from a Brooklyn watchdog group for light industrial zoning.
The owners of the property insisted that in its current shape it could not be rented. The watchdog group rep countered saying real estate agents would not show the space to potential clients as the zoning of the building was going to change. Lawyer for the space insisted the building was outmoded; watchdog advocate countered with a list of similar buildings, all rented up.
Testimony was also heard from a representative of Gowanus Houses, who was in favor of the project bringing, in her mind, more jobs to the neighborhood. But this was countered by a stream of small business owners, who saw the writing on the wall: if this variance were issued, what would stop other variances from being issued. One businessman’s shop, there for twenty years, operates loading docks and a mini scrap yard — eyesores that residents in a new building next door would no doubt not want to live next to.
The meeting was concluded procedurely: the owners couldn’t demonstrate that the existing zoning was causing them a financial hardship (with everyone knowing full well that a variance would equal big money for them). But the real issue was skirted: should the zoning board preserve areas of manufacturing and light industry in desireable areas? The owners of shops there said that the access to Manhattan from Gowanus was critical to their work, and that otherwise moving out of South Brooklyn would move those jobs out of Brooklyn entirely.
A final interesting point was made by a small manufacturer. People often suggest that mixed use or retail is a good replacement for manufacturing jobs lost, as these are compatible with residential uses. His point was that a good diversified local economy should not just have retain and office jobs; that persevering a manufacturing and light industry component in a local economy made a lot of sense vis-a-vis economic swings.
I am not sure I know what a “looky loo” follower is, but I propbably am one. The argument that Brownstoer’s “readership will continue to be brief stops by real consumers and your posts will continue to be your own cronies….” is bogus on its face. I started reading this blog when there was still a picture of Brownstoner on it. Since then I’ve bought a brownstone, secured financing (not easy), hired an architect and GC, and selected a moving company…. all with help from this Blog. Anon at 10:22/42 – you have no idea what you speak of. Take a hike.
The last time I checked, Jerry Minsky did indeed walk upright on two legs, so the libel argument probably has some merit. 😛
Two (somewhat contradictory) thoughts:
1) I think Buddy Scotto is extremely influential with old-timers. If he wants the neighborhood to change, it’ll change.
2) It seems like it could be difficult to convert some of the industrial spaces to residential use. It’s not really the same as in Dumbo or some other old industrial places, because of the type of industry — lots of chemicals and nasty crap. I’d be very worried about purchasing a Superfund site.
umm, yeah gowanus has hookers, maybe not a million of em, but drive down 3rd ave and you will see em. Maybe all of this ranting by father/coach guy is just a backdoor attempt to rid the ‘hood of the hardworking hookers? 🙂
In any event, that post was pretty un-readable and I am not sure what its point is, other than maybe the guy likes brokers? And is Minsky really a snake, or is that just libel and slander/ ANyone? A little help here please
Its really pretty hillarious and sad at how much some people have invested in what he posts and how Brownstoner maintains his blog. Whatever your stance on any issue why do you care so much about how it is presented here? Don’t like the newspaper buy a different one, don’t like the channel change it…
The real and only issu is if this line is correct:
“These industrial buildings are obsolete,” he said. “Nobody wants to load elevators anymore.” – Buddy Scotto
The article also cited a 3% vacancy rate – if this is true and the buildings are being used for manufacturing (as oppossed to illegal housing) then the zoning shouldnt be changed –
but
if the buildings are obsolete and not being used, then they should be allowed to be converted.
Issues as to neighborhood character etc… really have no bearing on a governmental decision like this – people need jobs and housing – if the area wont efficiently work for industrial then it should be allowed to be residential and vice versa where appropiate.
wow. I think mr. father, coach etc is posting more than once. I love that he can agree with himself. he reminds me of the wacko who accused set speed guy of being a broker. i think he may be the same guy. seems to carry over this obsession about people being in people’s pockets…I’ve been reading brownstoner since he was on blogspot and I can’t really say that I’ve had any of the same impressions. it’s fun and informative and serves as a digest of sorts on topics I find interesting. I’m not sure why father, coach, etc feels so personal about this…
ps. I’ve see the hookers too…