Glass Cube Sculpture for the Gowanus

According to the Daily News, the muck and black mayonnaise that is at the bottom of the canal could be used for a novel purpose: being superheated and turned into glass cubes. The cubes would then function as any glass brick structure, able to be used in a number of applications.

""You could construct an aquarium," Tsiamis said.

"It could become the basis for an art sculpture for the community. Maybe they want to build a monument to commemorate the cleanup of the canal."

The sludge, which is about 10 feet deep, is a mix of industrial metals, coal, tar, sewage and mud.

"That material is really black and nasty," Tsiamis said. "It's oozy like lava. ... It has the texture of mayonnaise.""

Sounds like the EPA's project manager is throwing a lot of black stuff at the canal walls, and seeing what sticks.
Image from the Guardian.

Scarano barred from sealing plans to the NYC DOB!

In a decision that couldn't come quick enough, Robert Scarano was barred by a judge from submitting plans to the New York City Department of Buildings. From the New York Times:

"The judge, Joan R. Salzman, accused Mr. Scarano of “deliberately overbuilding” and said some of his filings were “so deceptive that they call to mind out-and-out fraud.”

“False filings lead to chaos,” she wrote. Mr. Scarano, the fourth architect to be barred from submitting documents under a 2007 state law, did not return calls seeking comment. A spokeswoman, Linda Alexander, said in a statement that his company, Scarano Architect PLLC, “is pursing all avenues available to reverse the erroneous rulings that were issued today.”

Mr. Scarano’s lawyer, Raymond T. Mellon, said he would most likely challenge the constitutionality of the 2007 law, which authorizes the city to bar licensed architects."

Writing as someone whose chosen profession not only is reliant on the construction industry, but has strict ethical guidelines for those so certified, I can say that Mr. Scarano got what was coming to him. Plenty of architects find little ways to help out clients and are horrific at public relations, but just due to his sheer volume, Mr. Scarano took it to another level. His floor plans became the stuff of legend amongst anyone with even a rudimentary understanding of the Zoning Resolution. Plus, who wants to live in a half-height space?

First, do no harm, Mr. Scarano.
Image from Brownstoner.

Gritty Corner of Smith and 9th Gets Profiled

Metro recently profiled the corner of Smith and 9th Streets. Sounds about right.

"Young hipsters from Carroll Gardens stream off the G and F trains, as do residents of Red Hook’s public housing to the south. Winding past is the murky green Gowanus Canal, declared a superfund site this week by the EPA.

“It’s about time,” Victor Carino, 27, who works at the bagel shop, said of the decision, bemoaned by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and would-be developers eyeing the area. “You don’t have to be an environmentalist to know how nasty and unclean that water is.”"

BookCourt launching Literary Journal

BookCourt, the, yes, book store on Court Street, is launching their own literary journal. No need to go to Williamsburg for the arts scene! From the Daily News:

""It seemed like a natural step, with all of the great ideas that flow through this establishment," said Zach Zook, the Court St. store's general manager and the journal's executive editor.

The twice-yearly publication, dubbed "Cousin Corrine's Reminder," will feature more than 150 pages of fiction and photography from local and international artists and authors, as well as a graphics section curated by Brooklyn comic book author Dean Haspiel.

"You'll be seeing essays and pictures, and then you'll come to the literary equivalent of the Sunday comics," Haspiel said."
Image from Momondo.