Lightstone: 'We Will Move Forward With Gowanus Canal Plan'

Undeterred by recent flooding at the future site of their Gowanus Canal project, the Lightstone Group announced on Wednesday that they intend to proceed as planned.

After Councilman Brad Lander published an open letter calling for the New York City developer to halt their plans for a 700-unit property on 363-365 Bond St., spokesperson Ethan Geto responded on Wednesday on behlaf of Lightstone, stating they intend to move forward and "to build a high- quality, environmentally-sound residential complex."  

In fact, the developer posited that had their property already existed, the area along the canal wouldn't have been as vulnerable to a storm surge in the first place.

"Based on the information we have reviewed, we believe that had the Lightstone project been built and occupied during Hurricane Sandy none of the residential or parking areas would have experienced flooding," read the statement sent to Patch.

As the development project is still in its early stages, the group did acknowledge that design and technology considerations are continually being reviewed and evaluated.

"We have world-class architects and engineers working on this project and we will continue to bring the most current, sophisticated and thoughtful ideas to bear as we refine the project," said the statement, adding, that the EPA has expressed support of the project's environmental plans.

According to a document written on October 10 by the EPA, "[Lightstone]'s bulkhead would be engineered to EPA’s dredging depth specifications, eliminating the need for temporary sheetpiling." 

Further, Lightstone’s proposal "includes separating combined storm and sanitary discharges at and around the parcels," the document reads. "Lightstone has agreed to consult and coordinate with EPA to ensure that there is a net CSO reduction and that separated stormwater is properly treated."

The controversial project must first, however, pass through the City Planning Commission.

If it is up to Councilmember Lander, that won't happen. At the end of his open letter, he stated that if Lightstone would not withdraw their plans, he would urge the CPC to reject the application. 

Stay with Patch for updates.