Living Near the Gowanus
I really like the smaller brownstones on 1st and 2nd St between Hoyt and Bond. I am concerned about being so close to the canal though. Any thoughts on health issues, Superfund, Toll Brothers, property value, etc.?
I really like the smaller brownstones on 1st and 2nd St between Hoyt and Bond. I am concerned about being so close to the canal though. Any thoughts on health issues, Superfund, Toll Brothers, property value, etc.?
I live on 1st and really love being close to the canal simply because I find it appealing aesthetically. the block never smells – I think years ago it was a problem but hasn’t been for a long time. they are very sweet quiet blocks that children can play on without supervision and there is always parking. My basement is super dry – checked that when we bought house. Owners had tons of stuff stored on floor and there was no dampness at all. However, who knows what it will be like in 30 years with global warming! I am worried about toll bros but hoping this economy will stall them for a long time. If/when they do build, it will probably be a mixed blessing since it will probably improve the zoned school.
I would just say that bank just reappraised our house for $850k – about 300k less than when we bought (at very very peak)so don’t overpay!
I bought my house there last year!
We never smell the canal, we have never gotten any flooding (even with all the rain in the past year.) Those blocks slant uphill from the canal so i think so long as you’re a bit higher than the canal area, you’re in good shape (i’m not aware of my neighbors having flooding problems.) There is a risk of major area flooding in case of a hurricane, which would have adverse health effects (since the gowanus water is so yucky) but that’s why we’re hoping the superfund process and city improvements get started.
we are a little bit stressed about superfund OR toll brothers construction making the area a construction zone for the next 3-9 years. right now, these are super quiet blocks always with parking spaces on street. but both things could have a short term impact on property values. we’re going to be here awhile (we hope) so trying not to let these looming things affect our enjoyment of the area now.
good luck!
they are nice quaint blocks and family oriented, very safe. No flood issue. The whole issue with superfund has more to do with former industrial sites many along the canal which are to different degrees contaminated. That really is different issue to raw sewage at times being dumped into water. But that gets lost in the debate.
The blocks you are talking about would not be superfund sites. And you also see the Third and Bond is finishing and starting to market…and I’m sure they know that their earth is not contaminated.
Will not smell canal either…that was always exagerated.
i like them too.
school zone may be an issue.
look at the maps, flood is less than 1% chance.
Superfund cuts both ways.
all of the above, plus flooding. You’re in the flood zone.