At Small Ceremony, Preservation League Of NYS Presents FROGG with Grant

Linda Mariano of FROGG reading a statement

from l. to r.: Erin Tobin of the Preservation League of NY, with FROGG members Marlene Donnelly, Linda Mariano, Bette Stoltz, Lisanne McTiernan and Lizzie Olesker

Founding FROGG Members Marlene Donnelly, Linda Mariano and Bette Stoltz

Lisanne McTiernan with Susan Golberg

Old map from c. 1839 of the Gowanus area showing the original creek, marsh and mill ponds.

John Vetter, EPA archeologist for the Gowanus Canal Superfund, Marlene Donnelly and Eymund Diegel

A deservedly proud Linda Mariano

from l. to r. Linda Mariano,NY State Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Marlene Donnelly, Eymund Diegel, Bette Stoltz and Leslie-Arlette Boyce, author of newly published The Glory Of Brooklyn's Gowanus

Erin Tobin of the Preservation League of New York State  presented a  $7,500 grant to The Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus (FROGG) today at a lovely ceremony at the Old American Can Factory, 232 Third Street. The grant will be used to fund a survey of the industrial landscape surrounding the Gowanus Canal.

According to the Preservation League of NY: "This neighborhood, listed as a Six to Celebrate by the Historic Districts Council, has many landmarks and architecturally significant structures, including the Carroll Street Bridge, the oldest retractile bridge in the country. Buildings within the Greater Gowanus neighborhood include not only industrial structures, but also small laborer housing, and the area has retained much of its 19^th century industrial architecture and cultural heritage."

Linda Mariano, one of FROGG's founding members and tireless advocate for historic preservation of the Gowanus corridor stated:

"Acceptance of this grant comes with a great responsibility to complete our project "The Architectural Survey Of The Gowanus Canal Corridor". The purpose of the Survey is to authenticate the buildings, the vistas, the bridges and all else which may be discovered along the way that constitute a link to New York City's and the nation's industrial past.It is our hope that the Survey will justify the placement of the Gowanus Corridor on The National Register of Historic Places as an Urban Industrial District.The Gowanus Canal Corridor is the Gowanus Canal and the areas adjacent to the Canal, which contain many architecturally significant buildings that once formed the backbone of one of the nation’s most important industrial centers. Placement on the National Register will help preserve and protect those buildings which continue to growas a vibrant industrial sector, and to preserve and protect the remaining buildings to be conditioned for re-use and for new industry.There is a need for continuance of light industry in the GC Corridor. Most of the architecturally significant buildings are being used for noninvasive industry. FROGG and this community of caring people hope to maintain and sustain this need.  An additional outcome of the Survey will be to use the special district designation as a tool for preventing other kinds of zoning or even re-zoning .To work toward preservation rather than against it, to coordinate historic preservation policy with zoning. We could establish a citizen based planning process rather than so called "experts" who take the community out of community and transform our neighborhoods into an artificial landscape. Although some buildings are currently vacant, it does not mean they are useless. They can be adapted for future reuse.A special district gives us a sense of identity and a chance to preserve something of the past. It is an opportunity to share in community pride .We must preserve and protect the past for the future."

Personally, I would like to thank my friends at FROGG for their vision, for their tireless engagement and for their advocacy on behalf of the Gowanus Community.


And last, but not least, thank you to Joseph Mariano for sharing some bottles of his very own Vinum Nostrum, made right here in the Gowanus.  It was delicious.

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Celebrating A Giant Plumbing Device: Last Night's Gowanus Canal Flushing Tunnel Centennial Parade

100 years later, the Gowanus Still Smells

The original Gowanus Canal Celebration to observe the opening of the Flushing Canal was an elaborate affair back in June 21, 1911. Then mayor Mayor Gaynor attended with other dignitaries, speeches were made, businesses along the canal were decorated for the occasion and invited guests went down the canal in adorned vessels. There was also a parade and a young 9-year-old girl was crowned "Miss Gowanus."

That day, the new flushing Tunnel was ceremoniously put into action to "clean the dirty and the malodorous canal" by pumping fresh water from Buttermilk Channel into the industrial waterway.

One hundred years to the day later, a much smaller crowd took part in the Gowanus Canal Flushing Tunnel Centennial Celebration, but spirits were equally high as participants paraded from the flushing tunnel at Butler Street between Bond and Nevins, to the Union Street Bridge. This time, there was not one, but a few Miss Gowanus' on hand, including Linda Mariano, one of the founding members of Friends And Residents Of Greater Gowanus (FROGG). And as in the past, white lilies, symbols of purity, were thrown into the murky waters of the waterway with the hope that soon, the canal would be cleaner.

Ironically, the Gowanus was particularly malodorous on Tuesday night, and quite a few parade participants had to hold their nose while standing on the bridge.

The event's organizer, Angela Kramer Murphy of Proteus Gowanus pointed out the parallels between what happened a 100 years ago and today. "Back then, the Gowanus Canal smelled. The Gowanus still smells. Back then, people were debating about what to do about the Gowanus Canal" she said. "You could say that its kind of depressing that we are gathered here today to celebrate the anniversary of something and the Gowanus Canal still stinks, you could say that its a sign that no progress has been made. I like to look on the bright side and think that it's a great thing that I have so many people here to celebrate the 100th anniversary of a giant plumbing device."

The New York City Department Of Environmental Protection is currently updating the Gowanus Canal facilities, including the flushing tunnel and the pumping station. However, by the agency's own admission, the project will only reduce the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSOs), the major source of the foul odor, by 34 %.

Not good enough...and we, as a community, should demand that the city stop using the canal as an open sewer. Otherwise, we will still be holding our noses at the bicentennial celebration.

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Help Place The Gowanus Canal Corridor On The National Register Of Historic Places

Linda Mariano of FROGG

Friend, activist and Gowanus resident Linda Mariano is one of the co-founders of Friends and Residents Of the Greater. FROGG is a grass roots organization that is dedicated to promoting the history and preserving the unique character of the Gowanus. The group helped to designate the Gowanus Canal a Superfund site.

In the last few months, FROGG has been working to place the Gowanus Canal Corridor on the National Register of Historic Places as an Urban Industrial District and is currently seeking funds to accomplish this goal.

Linda writes:

Designating the Gowanus as an Urban Industrial District will help

*preserve the buildings, structures, places, and open spaces for adaptive re-use (new

light industrial, residential, and recreational)

*preserve the landmarks and architecturally significant structures for future generations

*preserve the natural and industrial beauty of the Gowanus

*protect the Gowanus Canal Corridor from overdevelopment.

In addition, owners of historic commercial and rental properties listed on the National Registermay qualify for a preservation tax credit.

The major prerequisite for this designation will be to conduct a survey by a certified architectural historian of the significant buildings, other structures, and scenic vistas of the Gowanus Corridor. The anticipated outcome of the survey will provide justification that the Gowanus possesses a concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites to make up an historically significant

industrial district.

FROGG recently received a $10,000 grant from the Elizabeth R. and Robert A. Jeffe Preservation Fund for New York City, with the provision that a match of $10,000 be obtained within one year. FROGG is now seeking donations for this matching fund. FROGG is a 501(c) (3) not for profit organization. Any contributions made are fully tax deductible.

If you would like to contribute to this matching fund please make a check payable to FROGG and send to:

Linda Mariano, 393 President Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231.

Your generosity and commitment will help ensure the heritage of the Gowanus for the present and future generations.

Please support FROGG's efforts and help protect Gowanus' unique industrial history.

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