A Changing Gowanus Alan Vlakancic Alex Spatz Dominick Mach Kellan - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

A Changing Gowanus

Alan Vlakancic Alex Spatz Dominick Mach Kellan Cantrell

Study Area in Context

• In 1886 the site is occupied

by the Metropolitan Gas Light Company

• 1904 the site is used as a

storage facility for the Metropolitan Works Branch

Historical Significance

A view of the 9th street bridge from the site Photos dated early 1900’s

Existing Conditions

• Current zoning for primarily industrial focuses
• M1-2 for manufacturing uses
• Apparent brownfield
• Pollutants below the Lowe’s complex
• Contaminant runoff
• Combined Sewer Overflow
• Potentially in need of remediation
• Located within Census Tract 0117
• 2,364 Population (2010 Census)
• 20.9% (493 total) under the age of 18
• 15.2% population decrease since 2000 Census
• Despite city- state- and nation-wide

population increase

• Area in need of reinvigorating and

reactivation

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

• Ample land to work with
• Vacant land for flexible uses
• Access to water
• Salvage yard

Weaknesses

• Contaminants
• Currently limited array of animal

species

• Relatively abandoned and

inactive region Opportunities

• Central location within the

neighborhood

• Ability to reach and serve diverse

group of actors Threats

• Pollution from Hamilton Avenue

traffic

• Population decline

Site Goals

• Connecting the surrounding neighborhoods to the Gowanus
• Establishing connectivity between fractured areas (commercial, industrial and

residential)

• Provide green space and an access space to the water edge’s
• Improving the water quality in the gowanus
• An increase of green infrastructure for both environmental and educational goals
• Stormwater capture
• Providing education about Brooklyn’s industrial heritage and the balance between

industry, residents and wildlife

• Depict the change in gowanus
• Restore the presence of forgotten species
• Balance invasive vs. non-invasive

LOWE’S EX-PATHMARK PARKING LOT GOWANUS CANAL TO 9th St.

Existing Conditions

TO 2nd Ave TO 12th ST.

Constructed Wetland Runnels leading to different types of stormwater capture Roof garden exhibiting the interplay between native and non-native species Solar Prairie Spectrum Field Station Bike & Ped Path Kayak launch Roof access & gathering area Sensors to monitor which method is best SALVAGE YARD LOWE’S automobile access to 12th St. Connector Green facade bike+ped access to 12th St. automobile access to 9th St. bike+ped access to 9th St. bike+ped access to 12th St.

Proposal

Section Focus

Solar Prairie Spectrum Constructed Wetland Green Facade Roof Garden Connector Field Station

View from across the Gowanus

Parkland Green Facade Roof Garden Bike+Ped +Automobile access LOWE’S

Section Focus

12th Street Section

Bike+Ped access

Assets

Field Station

Passive: Operation of natural species in an industrial environment

• how do they adapt?
• do they adapt?
• Invasive plant pros and cons
• Native plant pros and cons

Active: Teaching how ‘things change’ and how human actions can cause this change

• Documentation of departing species
• documentation of species returning
• Migratory birds & species

Assets

Invasive vs. Native Roof Garden

• Create a walkable green environment that features:
• Roof garden
• Introduction of new plant and wildlife species
• Vegetable, fruits, flowers, birds, butterflies
• Solar panels for energy absorption and redistribution
• Green surfaces for water absorption
• Observation deck field station
• Case Studies and Prior Precedents
• Burnley Living Roof; Melbourn, Australia
• http://www.hassellstudio.com/en/cms-projects/detail/burnley-living-roofs/
• Gary Comer Youth Center Green Roof; Chicago, IL
• https://lafoundation.org/myos/my-uploads/2011/10/05/garycomermethodology.pdf

Assets

Establishing connectivity

• Highlight accessibility by making the lot a central transportation point where neighborhood residents can meet, observe,

learn, and relax

• Appeal to residents of all capacities...far and near, local and external, low and high income
• F and G stops at Smith Street Station
• Bike and running trail
• Kayak and canoe dock along the canal
• Automobile access through the Lowe’s parking lot
• Gowanus Canal sign on Pathmark wall can serve as a welcoming sign to increase site visibility and attract

residents from all over

• Link and unify all neighborhood actors
• The built environment with the natural environment
• The road with the canal
• Recreational uses with educational uses
• All of the different populations within the neighborhood both with each other and with the various other species

that inhabit this site.

Assets

Green Infrastructure Runnels

Water inlet Shrubbery & Water filtering plants Mulch Retention Soil Gravel Regular Soil Water Infiltration A series of runnels that filter water with a variety of green infrastructure methods, to determine which is best. Provides an educational and interactivity benefits. The runnels will end in interesting sensors that are designed by local artists, to promote the noticeability and interaction with the users

Assets

Solar Prairie

Assets

How does it “feel”

• Connected
• Green, natural but functional to the space
• Accessible for all
• Easy space to just pass through on a bike or to stay for a few hours
• Park hardware created using local businesses. (Reclaimed metal from metal recycling plant or from the

surrounding salvage yards)

• Highlighting the access to the water’s edge without losing the connection of the urban environment

Water Use System Diagram

Runnel Constructed Wetland Bioswale Bioretention cell Runnel Runnel Water enters site

Moving Forward

• Metric Measurements Needed
• Measuring the return of natural habitats
• Stormwater capture from
• Toxicity of the water at different levels
• Which system is better
• Measure energy capture
• Interim park in abandoned Pathmark building
• Research microhabitats for Solar Prairies

Thank You! Questions?