Gowanus Rezoning Framework Released

GOWANUS – After a year and a half of community members and stakeholders participating in more than 100 hours of meetings and workshops, including four public events and 26 working group meetings, Council Members Brad Lander (District 39), Stephen Levin (District 33), and the NYC Department of City Planning (DCP) today released “Gowanus: A Framework for a Sustainable, Inclusive, Mixed-Use Neighborhood.”

The Gowanus Framework serves as a roadmap presenting potential goals and strategies developed by the community to transform the area into a resilient, sustainable and more affordable neighborhood and includes recommended land use changes for its rezoning.

The Framework is the first step to creating a neighborhood plan that includes public investments in housing, parks, schools, and transportation.

“Working together, we can shape a sustainable, inclusive, mixed-use future for Gowanus,”  Council Members Lander and Levin said in a joint statement. “This framework points the way. Through extensive community planning, we have substantial consensus in many areas: Investments in sustainability, resiliency, floodproofing, transportation, and educational infrastructure. Creating affordable and mixed-income housing, and preserving and strengthening NYCHA. Strengthening the ‘Gowanus mix’ of manufacturing, artists and cultural organizations, creative businesses, historic buildings, and not-for-profits. Expanded public open space around the Canal.”

Some of the highlights of the Framework include:

• Promoting a more resilient infrastructure with buildings designed to manage flood risk and future sea level rise
• Creating more green public space along the Gowanus Canal and across the neighborhood
• Creating more jobs in the area and providing residents with job training opportunities
• Improving existing affordable housing and public housing communities, and requiring new housing developments offer permanently affordable housing
• Improving street safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers and promoting walking and bicycling

“The framework will guide future public actions for the Gowanus area,” Lander explains in a statement posted to his Facebook page. “After further community feedback, City Planning will draft a neighborhood plan that includes proposed zoning and land use changes, as well as public investments, to realize these goals. Proposed land use actions would then enter the City’s public review process, or ULURP, which includes more opportunities for public input.”

“Whether you agree or disagree, we are eager for your feedback,” he adds. Locals will have two opportunities to provide their input in person:

DCP will present the Gowanus Framework to Community Board 6 on Monday, June 11 at 6:30pm at P.S. 32, 317 Hoyt Street (at Union Street).

DCP will host “Gowanus Framework Open House” on Wednesday, June 27 from 5:00 to 8:30 pm, also at P.S. 32, 317 Hoyt Street (at Union Street). Attendees will have an opportunity to speak with DCP staff as well as sixteen other City agencies.

Community members are also encouraged to go online to post comments, ideas, and feedback at plangowanus.com.

Click here to see the full “Gowanus: A Framework for a Sustainable, Inclusive, Mixed-Use Neighborhood.”