Author: Oscar Fock

Environment, News

How safe is that Columbia Street concrete plant, anyway? by Oscar Fock

In our July issue we wrote about the concrete recycling plant that temporarily occupies part of the Columbia Street Waterfront District docks. At the time, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) told us that they “take all the necessary steps to mitigate dust and keep the public safe.” That is important because crystalline silica, a compound present in concrete, poses […]

Environment, Gowanus, Gowanus Canal, News

Findings of toxic fumes in Gowanus prompt calls for moratorium on new construction, by Oscar Fock

(Editor’s note – Mr. Hang takes issue with our characterization of these events, and requested that we include his clarification: “Please note that we have NOT called for a “moratorium on new construction” in the Gowanus Canal Area.  We respectfully wrote Governor Hochul: “Until the shortcomings of New York’s Brownfield program have been fully assessed and all applicable regulatory cleanup requirements […]

News

Gowanus Oversight group focuses on Wyckoff Gardens and the Gowanus Houses, by Oscar Fock

The Gowanus Oversight Task Force met for its second quarterly meeting of the year on Thursday evening, June 27. This time around, the public meeting tackled the issues of “community resources” and “streets and safety.” This task force took life as a condition of the Gowanus rezoning, which allowed for the building of high rise residential buildings in the formerly […]

Cobble Hill, Environment, News

Temporary concrete facility raises concerns on Columbia Street, by Oscar Fock

A concrete recycling plant opened up along the Columbia Street waterfront earlier this year, raising concerns among some residents in the neighborhood and nearby Cobble Hill. The plant, located by the intersection of Columbia and Kane Streets, is only there temporarily, however. It was moved there in February to accommodate the city’s plans to develop offshore wind. Just next door […]