Parking Spaces Give Way to Stormwater-Collecting Dumpsters in Gowanus

"A developer wants to install six dumpsters filled with dirt and plants in parking spaces around Gowanus this summer," reports Lauren Gill. Alloy Development, the developer behind the project, promises the dumpsters "will help soak up rainwater to keep it from flooding the canal…"

Gill notes a snarky response to the proposal from residents of the neighborhood, who express surprise at a developer proposing something other than luxury condos. The Transportation Committee of Community Board 6 has already approved the proposal, which would "install six 11-foot-long, 4-feet-6 tall dumpster gardens across the nabe…" Each of the installations would take up two parking spots and can absorb 2,000 gallons of water.

Alloy Development is partnering with the Gowanus Canal Conservancy on the project. One of the hopes for the project is that the dumpsters improve the smell of the canal until federal workers can complete a larger canal cleanup project.