Podwalk

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28
Feb 14

Gowanus Non-Pod Pod Walk

Sauly Betesh, Renée Esses, Morris Hedaya, Tzivia Kleinbart, Josh Setton and Rachel Tawil

When the six of us set out on our Gowanus non-pod podwalk, we had a pretty good idea of what we were going to see (especially since Renée and Rachel had gone on a Gowanus pod walk before). But it was still striking to see the change in the neighborhood as we moved closer to the Canal:

Section I: Union Street from Grand Army Plaza to 5th Avenue

Walking down Union Street, besides for the many brownstone buildings that we saw, there were many businesses that support good health.

Some of these include a pharmacy, yoga, a bike-shop, a Laundromat, Park Slope Medical and Wellness Center, supermarkets with organic selections and a gym.

However, we also noticed construction workers on the street and some garbage, which could have a negative impact on residents’ health.

Section II: 5th Avenue to Nevins Street

After we passed 5th avenue, the buildings were generally not brownstones any more. There were fewer businesses that supported health. By the fourth avenue corner, there were places to get tacos, falafel, pizza and deli- all unhealthy. However, we still saw an eye doctor bike shop, martial arts place and organic juice place.

 

Section III: Union Street Bridge

Walking over the Gowanus Canal, we were shocked at how green the water was and how much garbage we could see in it. We also noticed lots of buses on the sides and around the canal, which would contribute to the pollution. However, we couldn’t smell anything, probably because it was so cold.

 

Section IV: Carroll Street Bridge

While we were on the Carroll Street Bridge, it seemed to be low tide and we could see algae on the walls of the water. If high tide was 3 feet higher, the banks of the canal would hold, it just might be really close to the edge.

The Lovely Air of the Gowanus

The Lovely Air of the Gowanus

 

Some Nice Brownstones

Some Nice Brownstones

 

 

Health and Wellness before the Canal

Health and Wellness before the Canal

 

Some less-than-nice Brownstones

Some less-than-nice Brownstones

 

 

Fast Food near the Canal

Fast Food near the Canal

 

...More Fast Food

…More Fast Food

 

 

Posted by in 02/28 / Podwalk — No Comments
28
Feb 14

From Gentrification to the Superfund

In the first section of the walk, through the most gentrified portion of Union Street, three things in particular stood out to me:

  1. There is an abundance of healthcare related businesses in the area, ranging from the typical and necessary–like a pharmacy and an oral surgeon–to what some people think of as frivolous, such as an acupuncturist and a chiropractor.
  2. The streets and sidewalks are clean, well-paved and very pedestrian-friendly.  The inclusion of Dixon’s Bike Shop on Union Street supports the idea of the neighborhood being highly conducive to more health-conscious means of transportation.
  3. Healthy food options seem to be everywhere.  The Park Slope Food Coop is located on Union Street, providing affordable nutrition for the neighborhood’s residents.  There are also several restaurants, an organic market and even a fiber-focused store.

Moving on from 5th Avenue to Nevins Street, Union Street begins to morph.  While it seemed as though every home from Grand Army Plaza to 5th Avenue was a beautifully restored brownstone, the houses in this section of the street are starting to look a bit shabby in comparison.  There are far fewer food options–all I spot is one or two rundown restaurants and a deli–and while I do notice an optometrist, not much else in the way of healthcare catches my eye.  There does appear to be a small bike shop just around the corner on 3rd Avenue, but it is greatly overshadowed by the various auto repair shops and the mighty Hess gas station, all along Union Street itself.  As I near Nevins Street, the area seems decreasingly upscale and increasingly industrial.

Now standing on the Union Street Bridge, I look down into the Gowanus Canal in horror.  Is that…is that even water?  It is so murky that I fear for whatever organisms that incredulously call this their home.  There is quite a bit of trash; I can’t smell anything in particular, but I can only imagine the potential stench in warmer weather.  (As though New Yorkers don’t deal with summer garbage smell enough already.)  The canal is surrounded by industrial buildings, with nicer high-rises visible in the distance.

Moving along to the Carroll Street Bridge, it appears to be low tide.  I can see the high tide line, however, and if the water level were to rise three feet…things would not be pretty.  The water would be dangerously close to overflow.  As a local sign confirms that this is a “Wet Weather Discharge Point,” if the water rises three feet and it rains, I would assume that the added combination of rainwater and delightful raw sewage would cause a flood of the surrounding area.  Yum, residents would love that.

Posted by in 02/28 / Field Trips / Podwalk — No Comments
28
Feb 14

Walking the Gowanus

Grand Army Plaza: Union Street to 5th Ave

The walk begins in lovely and–despite the weather–lively Grand Army Plaza, full of shops, food trucks, joggers apparently immune to the cold, dogs, and families.  As I continued down 5th street, I walked among nice neat brownstones, streets clean with very little trash, interrupted by corners crowded by cute, warm indie stores.  The atmosphere seemed bright, brisk, and cheerful all around.  I singled out three stores in particular that contribute to the health of the locals.

#1 While this doesn't contribute directly to human health, this clinic promotes pet ownership and a friendly dog walking environment which enriches public health overall. It is very convenient but again, on the expensive side.

#1 While this doesn’t contribute directly to human health, this clinic promotes pet ownership and a friendly dog walking environment which enriches public health overall. It is very convenient but again, on the expensive side.

#2 This is a very convenient bike shop that supports physical exercise and more eco-friendly means of travel. It is more of a "sporty" store, however, and prices are pretty high here.

#3 This is a very convenient bike shop that supports physical exercise and more eco-friendly means of travel. It is more of a “sporty” store, however, and prices are pretty high here.

One of the many yoga and alternative spiritual exercise clubs in the area. These places require a lot of extra time, energy, and money to attend, but for those who can afford them they promote physical and emotional health and strengthen community bonds.

#2 One of the many yoga and alternative spiritual exercise clubs in the area. These places require a lot of extra time, energy, and money to attend, but for those who can afford them they promote physical and emotional health and strengthen community bonds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5th Ave to Nevins St

Right as the walk reached 5th ave, I noticed some immediate changes as well as some qualities that remained from ultra-nice Park Slope.  The grocery stores were no longer organic, but small generic places. Once I reached 4th, the only thing that matched the first portion of the walk was the bike lane, but the stores that I originally photographed were no longer anywhere to be seen.  The buildings become more sparse and change from high-end specialty stores to 24-hour bodegas, old empty lots, more graffiti and “run down” buildings, and many blue-collar or industrial buildings like auto repair and electric companies.

A changing landscape, from organicland to bodegaworld.

A changing landscape, from organicland to bodegaworld.

Union Street Bridge

The canal is barren and dirty, and there is a slight smell of sulfur in the air.  There is trash scattered along the banks and graffiti on the walls.  I can’t help but think of the dolphin that swam into the canal and died last winter. Many old industrial factories tower nearby.  I noted one building and one sign that most likely have a strong impact on the surrounding environment and community.

This is one of the old industrial buildings, an old iron works factory. I'm guessing there is still environmental damage left over from this building's glory days.

This is one of the old industrial buildings, an old iron works factory. I’m guessing there is still environmental damage left over from this building’s glory days.

 

Yikes, not exactly what I would want to see everyday on my way to work if I lived around the Gowanus. But the negative effects on local health are an obvious and unfortunate reality for the Gowanus community and wildlife.

Yikes, not exactly what I would want to see everyday on my way to work if I lived around the Gowanus. But the negative effects on local health are an obvious and unfortunate reality for the Gowanus community and wildlife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carroll Street Bridge

When I was visiting the canal, it seemed like it was very low tide. However, I can only imagine what high tide is like, and if the canal was an average of 3ft higher, I think it would definitely spill over the banks, as they are already slanted and slightly eroded.

Looks like low tide for now, but will rising water levels lead to more erosion and flooding issues?

Looks like low tide for now, but will rising water levels lead to more erosion and flooding issues?

Overall, an interesting experience. It is easy to see where gentrification is occurring and what areas of Brooklyn are being neglected. No wonder the Gowanus is a SuperFund site, and hopefully it will get better, but it has a long way to go.

JE

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