Draft Rezoning for Gowanus Released

Planners in New York City released the latest in a series of rezonings of New York City neighborhoods.

1 minute read

June 7, 2018, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Gowanus Canal

Felix Lipov / Shutterstock

Daniel Geiger reports that the New York City Department of Planning recently released a draft rezoning plan for the Gowanus neighborhood [pdf] of Brooklyn in New York.

"The plan imagines remaking the low-rise, formerly industrial neighborhood into a denser, mixed-use district with far more housing and park space and a revitalized Gowanus Canal while preserving affordability, businesses and the area's character," according to Geiger.

Geiger notes that the plan attempts to preempt some of the controversies that have slowed other recent rezonings in New York by "[dedicating] much of its 115 pages to the perks it would offer existing residents and businesses."

Development spurred by the rezoning would be required to remediate polluted sites in the neighborhood, which were contaminated by manufacturing and industrial businesses decades ago. New residential and mixed-use buildings along the currently filthy canal would be required to create a public waterfront esplanade and access for pedestrians.

The plan already has early support from Councilmember Brad Lander, who represents most of the area covered by the new plan. A more detailed draft of the plan will be released later this year.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 in Crain's New York Business

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 16, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Blue and silver Amtrak train with vibrant green and yellow foliage in background.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail

The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

July 14, 2025 - Smart Cities Dive

Worker in yellow safety vest and hard hat looks up at servers in data center.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power

Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

July 18 - Inside Climate News

Former MARTA CEO Collie Greenwood standing in front of MARTA HQ with blurred MARTA sign visible in background.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns

MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

July 18 - WABE

Rendering of proposed protected bikeway in Santa Clara, California.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant

A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.

July 17 - San José Spotlight