COMMUNITY BOARD SIX
PARKS/RECREATION/CULTURAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
JULY 20, 2011
ATTENDANCE;
PRESENT:
L. BLYER D. HERBSTMAN H. HUGHES
N. LALLI C. MOLINARI E. ROBERTS
M.SCOTT
EXCUSED:
M. DEPALMA J. FRANCIS B. GINSBERG
R. GRAHAM G. KELLY K. MAIER
L. MALUF
ABSENT:
Y. GIRELA L. HOROWITZ W. LIU
B. MCDONALD
GUESTS:
C. VIA A. SIMONS B. ZHAO
J. MUIR H. HESSELEIN H. STEINER
S. DRAKE Y. KIM
*** MINUTES ***
Presentation and discussion with representatives for the Gowanus Canal Conservancy regarding Sponge Park at Gowanus Canal.
The agencies involved are the Dept. of Environmental Protection working together with the Dept. of Transportation and the Dept. of Parks.
Memoranda of understanding: • Dept. of City Planning • EPA Superfund • Dept. of Environmental Conservation
• NYSCA
• Elected officials: Marty Markowitz, Nydia Velazquez • Fire Department
Community involvement: • Gowanus Canal Conservancy • Dredgers • Community Board 6 • Proteus Gowanus • Gowanus by Design • 2nd Street End
The wetlands acts like a sponge. NYC has a combined sewer problem – 400 million gallons
of raw sewerage per week. When it rains – street ends collect sewage, garbage and sediment – Yuck! *The flushing tunnel will help!
Broader watershed: mapped damage, out falls/overflows, etc.
Sponge Park could help clean water before it goes into the Canal.
Mapped issues: There are many issues! Plus looked at how Sponge Park could address these issues and clean some toxins using remediation techniques.
First flush toxins: heavy metals, brake linings, fuel, tires. Look at plants that can absorb toxins.
Canal has properties/buildings that go right up to water’s edge. Makes promenade impossible – so to design Park there would be green ways on one or other side of the Canal.
2nd Street End – pilot Sponge Park.
Bond to water – 7 to 8 inches of rain can be dealt with by drains per storm. After that, it is run- off 2,864 cubic feet of water run-off occurs per storm.
Units for Bio-retention Swale “Cels” • Easier for construction • Could remove one or more for clean-up issues.
Mayor’s office for long term sustainability – Aaron Koch, DEP – Cater Strickland to advocate for street swales in front of individual properties.
John Muir has presented project before – 2 years ago. Hans: We voted to support it! Worked with dland to come up with park plan. David Yassky came up with money. Larger visions within the community. • New green infrastructure • Plan for NYC • Serious efforts to clean up sewage issues by NYC. • 6th Street green corridor – DEP/Velazquez • 2nd Street with street end • Community outreach – clean and green program monthly. • Bird house • Photo mapping of Canal – low altitude photos • Composting project • Rain garden construction • Clean and green will also get community to care for gardens as they grow.
2nd Street is in design development phase working with agencies and through public approval process. Construction starts early next year.
A motion was made to support the Gowanus Canal Conservancy and dland Studio for 2nd Street end Sponge Park.
VOTE: 6…..YEAS 0…..NAYS 1…..ABSTAINS
MOTION PASSED BUT A QUORUM WAS NOT PRESENT
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the last meeting held on April 20, 2011.
MOTION PASSED: UNANIMOUSLY
Gowanus Canal Conservancy will give all groups their own day for clean-up efforts.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned