Zero Sum Game of a Clean Gowanus

Seems like the two steps forward, one step back. Apparently the construction on Degraw and Tiffany is for the flushing tunnel for the Gowanus. From the Brooklyn Paper:

"Construction needed to improve the water in the polluted canal will disrupt the quality of life of residents living two neighborhood away, thanks to the city’s $50-million rehabilitation of a “flushing tunnel” that runs from the top of the filthy canal to the Buttermilk Channel between Brooklyn and Governors Island.

That and an $85-million upgrade of an adjacent wastewater pumping station in the Canal zone will mean road work for the next three years at several key intersections.

At Columbia Street and Tiffany Place, blocks way from the top of the canal, the project has already “been very disruptive to the neighborhood,” said Tiffany Place resident Mina Roustayi. “I understand the environmental reasons for it, but I’m concerned with the parking — we’ve already lost 10-13 spaces.”"

The disruption is regrettable, but the ends justify the means. And please, shut up about parking spaces. Why must bike lanes, clean waterways and sensible transit policy be constantly opposed by those who need their parking spaces on their block?

Columbia Street Waterfront District Getting Some More Housing

According to Brownstoner, the warehouse at 25 Carroll Street (between Columbia and Van Brunt) is going residential:

"The five-story masonry and heavy-timber structure at 25 Carroll Street (between Columbia and Van Brunt) has gotten a variance to convert the space to 17 loft residencies."

It is a shame that Brooklyn's naturally deep harbor is a working waterfront no more, but such is life. I am encouraged to see an existing, somewhat historic structure repurposed, as it is one of the only ways to keep construction costs affordable while maintaining some of the past from this neighborhood.