Gowanus

City launches online tool to help plan the future of Gowanus

April 7, 2017 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Map courtesy of the Department of City Planning
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The city’s Department of City Planning (DCP) is piloting an online tool called Plan Gowanus as a way to let the public get involved in the ongoing Gowanus Neighborhood Planning Study.

The Plan Gowanus website lets residents tell DCP what they like and what they think needs improvement within Gowanus, using an interactive map (https://www.plangowanus.com/PlanGowanus).

“We think this is a great, easy-to-use visual tool,” DCP spokesman Joe Marvilli told the Brooklyn Eagle. “This is one of many ways DCP is garnering site-specific feedback and input from the public. The map supplements our public events, smaller forums and stakeholder meetings, and enables those who can’t be there in person to participate and share their ideas.”

The Gowanus Neighborhood Planning Study was launched in the fall of 2016 as part of a collaboration between city agencies, residents and businesses to develop strategies to deal with the neighborhood’s fast-paced change and development pressures.

The study seeks to balance many interests and needs, DCP says, including economic and job development, housing, resiliency, cultural resources, environmental remediation and more. 

To use the tool, choose a pin and drag it over to a desired location on the map. A comment box will open with a list of topics. Check the topic that describes what you like or what you think needs improvement. Then provide your idea or feedback within the comment box.

Comments so far include a request for a radical reinvention of St. Mary’s Playground, water access at the end of Huntington Street, a request for a residential high rise incorporating green space and retail, an area for galleries — perhaps incorporating artist housing, solar panels or a green roof atop Lowe’s and more.


The city says feedback from this tool and other outreach efforts will be used by DCP and other agencies to develop a draft planning and land use framework that will document recommendations and propose strategies to support the study goals. 

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