Mapping Gowanus

Brownfield Opportunity Area

These 19 Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA) sites were identified by Star Whitehouse as underused and possibly contaminated sites in Gowanus that have the potential to be redeveloped after remediation. The BOA remediation prcess takes place on the state level of governement. The BOA program encourages economic development in areas affected by brownfields andh helps them move toward redevelopment.

What is a Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA)?

A Brownfield Opportunity Area (BOA), as defined by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the NYS Department of State, is land previously used for industrial purposes that may be contaminated with hazardous waste or petroleum pollution, and has the potential to be reused once it is cleaned up (remediated). The BOA Grant was enacted to help expedite site remediation and reuse when several polluted sites are located close together in a neighborhood. Urban areas often have old industrial centers with several brownfields sites that are located in clusters. Planning to remediate and revitalize a whole neighborhhod is usually more efficient than remediating and redeveloping each site separately. Designating a multi-brownfield redevelopment area as a Brownfield Opportunity Area should lead to more cost-effective and quicker cleanup and redevelopment of the entire area. Also, the environmental and economic needs of the community can be better served. BOA grant money and technical assistance are available to eligible local governments and community-based organizations for developing site assessments and plans for area-wide approaches to brownfields remediation.

Manufactured Gas Plants (MGPs)

The Metropolitan, Fulton, and Citizens Manufactured Gas Plants (MGPs) operated in Gowanus from the 1880s to the 1950s. MGPs were used to produce gas from coal, oil and other fuels but are no longer in operation in New York State. However, coal tar and other hazardous waste, created as part of the manufacturing process, may still be present at those sites and require cleanup. New York State has one of the most comprehensive MGP site investigation and remediation initiatives in the country. Since problems associated with former MGP sites were identified, they have been working with utilities on a state-wide basis to identify and address MGP sites.