We are an organization dedicated to the enhancement and development of the Residential, Retail, Commercial, and Industrial life of our Gowanus neighborhood. We are working towards attracting new businesses to the area and assisting existing businesses with expansion plans that will result in much needed job creation in the area, thereby reducing the current high level of unemployment. We plan to keep members informed and updated about initiative programs and tax abatement available to businesses.
The Ready New York campaign encourages New Yorkers to be ready for all types of emergencies. Develop a disaster plan and decide where you and your family will meet in the event of an emergency.
The New York State Department of State’s Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) Program assists communities with creation of redevelopment strategies for neighborhoods with properties that are unused due to economic decline or environmental contamination.
Brief History of Gowanus
The Gowanus is a neighborhood in the borough of Brooklyn, in NYC. The neighborhood runs along side and surrounds the Gowanus Canal. Since the 1860’s the Gowanus area has been a center for industrial and shipping activity, with the use of the canal. Unfortunately, the water of the canal has been severely polluted due to not only decades of industrial use and extensive coal gas manufacturing during the late 19th century, but also the raw sewage and storm water that flows into the canal when the treatment plant is overwhelmed. Now, the Gowanus community that has been in touch with the City and State trying to bring the full power of the Clean Water Act to bear on the environmental conditions left behind in this once thriving urban/industrial waterway.
On March 2, 2010, EPA added the Gowanus Canal to the Agency’s Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). Placing the Gownaus Canal on the list allows the Agency to further investigate contamination at the site and develop an approach to address the contamination.