Comments sought on the future of the Union Street Bridge (over the Gowanus Canal)

[Nancy Brous]

I'm posting this for a friend.

Please use the contact instructions below and found through the links for more information.

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Nancy

 

Gowanus Dredgers are helping the DOT solicit comments regarding the potential permanent closure of Union Street Bridge.  More details and instructions on submitting are outlined on their webpage.

Saturday, October 13th 2018 2:00pm to 5:00pm

Help us convince the NYC DOT to keep the Union Street Bridge a movable bridge so boats can travel the entire Gowanus Canal! Support boats that will dredge for Superfund, boats with public programs and more! Deadline for comment is 10/15/18 and you can submit the profile form below or stop by this event and complete a comment card for us to submit for you.

The design data collected will be used by DOT to assess the possibility of converting the existing movable bridge into a stationary, inoperable bridge. Your feedback will be used to analyze the current and future navigational needs for our Gowanus waterway.  Should boating north of Union Street be accommodated? 

Some points to consider

• Dredging the upper part of the canal and construction of DEP's CSO tank requires vessel access for another decade
• Maintenance of bulkheads, soft edges and docks, launches and landings will require marine access
• Floating art installations, musical or other cultural offerings on barges will require a movable bridge, especially as our Gowanus neighborhood changes (see Gowanus Canal Conservancy Lowlands plans for performance barges)
• Sailboats dock along our Canal.  An inoperable bridge would permanently exclude them from the North Gowanus community
• Historic and cultural vessels, whether military, marine freight, commercial or purpose-built (The Waterfront Museum, and PortSide NewYork for example) would be denied access by a fixed bridge
• Changes to residential land use the upper Canal may require a movable bridge to accommodate a ferry connection to north Gowanus
• The NYC Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Facilities Project's environmental review impact statement should be reopened as this planned project was excluded from that analysis
• Design should be a high aesthetic standard, not just a functional one.
• Regardless of the selected design, safe access on and off the water at the Union Street crossing should be included in the scope of work under consideration in the study