The following press release from Newtown Creek Alliance, issued on July 1st, 2019, presents the current trajectory for Gateway to Greenpoint — a collaborative, community-driven network of green spaces designed to serve as an entry to the neighborhood. Authored by the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund (GCEF), the press release summarizes the project’s status and aspirations presented to the community last month.
On Sunday, June 23rd, Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund grantee Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA), along with its partners Evergreen Exchange and Interval Projects, unveiled a community-driven conceptual site plan which would create public access and ecological benefit for a 12,000 square foot city-owned parcel at the corner of Greenpoint and Kingsland Avenues. Approximately 30 community members, including New York State Assemblyman Joe Lentol were in attendance for the design presentation.
The parcel is currently managed by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and was offered as a community amenity during the upgrade of the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Since construction of the plant was completed in 2014, the site has sat dormant.
NCA hopes the development of this parcel would act as a kind of gateway to other nearby public open spaces along this block of largely industrialized Kingsland Avenue, including the Kingsland Wildflowers green roof (completed in 2017), the Nature Walk (phases 2 and 3 scheduled for completion in 2020) and restoration along North Henry Street Public Basin (ongoing).
“Open space fosters a healthy community and healthy environment. Gateway to Greenpoint will contribute to the environmental transformation of the Greenpoint community by creating new green space that will serve as a corridor to other nearby open spaces. This project will help enhance the quality of our neighborhood’s beauty and I look forward to helping make Gateway to Greenpoint a reality,” said Assemblymember Joe Lentol.
The site is located within an area of Greenpoint with a severe lack of greenery and ongoing burdens of air pollution and soil contamination. The value of transforming an empty and barren lot, two blocks from residential areas, to a public area with plants, trees and wildlife habitat offers environmental, human health and educational benefits for years to come.
The process kicked off in July of 2018 and included 2 community workshop events with stakeholders. The GCEF grant funded development of the conceptual plan only. Next steps include establishing sources of funding to build out the site, developing a plan for operations and maintenance of the site and working with city agencies and engineers to develop the technical aspects of the design and construction.
View a copy of the Gateway to Greenpoint booklet here.
Older Gateway to Greenpoint Articles
- Gateway to Greenpoint. Abbey Rose. December 6, 2018.
- Greenpoint’s Getting Greener With GCEF. Go Green BK Team. October 8, 2018.