In April, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) announced construction would begin on Gateway to Greenpoint in June.
Gateway to Greenpoint is the community-driven plan to create publically accessible and ecological beneficial use of a 13,000 square foot city-owned parcel at the corner of Greenpoint and Kingsland Avenues. It began in 2019 but then COVID.
Over the past few years, Newtown Creek Alliance (NCA) has worked closely with NYC DEP, NYC Council Member Lincoln Restler, and Evergreen Exchange to advance the Gateway to Greenpoint project in light of COVID related budget cuts and spending priorities. In 2019 $175,000 was allocated under NYC Council Member Stephen Levin. In 2022 Restler allocated $350,000 through participatory budgeting. In March 2024, U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez allocated $500K to this project.
NYC DEP presented a revised plan for the project to Brooklyn Community Board 1 in January 2024. It received approval with modifications. The revised Gateway to Greenpoint plan includes a major underground storm water retention component yet is consistent in its push for increased planted areas and larger public entrances. In April 2024, the Public Design Commission approved the plan and bids could begin for the project. In October 2024 NYC DEP audited the lowest bid. NCA is looking forward to a groundbreaking soon.
The Greenline 