Council members call for probe of excavation near Gowanus

Gowanus Canal
Gowanus Canal

Several City Council members are not happy with the repeated flooding of the Gowanus Canal, and they are hoping that a study of the effects will be conducted before new developments move forward.

Brad Lander, Nydia Velazquez and Velmanette Montgomery — who represent neighborhoods bordering the polluted body of water — drafted a letter to the Bloomberg administration requesting an investigation into the adverse impact of regrading, which has been causing the flooding, Brownstoner reported.

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Gowanus neighbors are worried that the excavation of large development sites in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy will push floodwaters out to properties even farther inland, the council members wrote. They recommend the installation of hydraulic pumps.

In March, the City Planning Commission approved Lightstone Group’s plan to build a 700-unit rental development at 363-365 Bond Street on the Gowanus Canal. Developers aim to raise the site by two feet at First Street, the website said. [Brownstoner]Mark Maurer