Councilman Brad Lander is urging developer the Lightstone Group to drop their plan to build a 170-unit mixed-use project on the Gowanus Canal, after the area flooded during Hurricane Sandy, Park Slope Patch reported.
In an open letter written to the Lightstone Group CEO David Lichtenstein released yesterday, the councilman stated: “It would be a serious mistake for you to proceed as though nothing had happened, without reconsidering or altering your plans, and putting over 1,000 new residents in harm’s way the next time an event of this magnitude occurs.”
The project had been controversial from the start. From dealing with the toxicity of the water in the canal to fears of hyper-gentrification in the area, locals had expressed concerns about he project.
During the hurricane the development site, which is located at 363-365 Bond Street, received several feet of water. The councilman would therefore like Lightstone to temporarily withdraw its application and to talk with local stakeholders, elected officials and public agencies “to account for the high risk of future storm surges.” [Park Slope Patch] —Christopher Cameron