Saturday, June 15, 2013

Boat race a pro-development stunt

From DNA Info:

Critics are calling a boat race on the Gowanus Canal this weekend an "irresponsible" stunt designed to advance a pro-development agenda.

They point to the fact that the Lightstone Group, a developer that wants to build a 700-unit housing project on the polluted canal's banks, is a sponsor of the race.

"Lightstone is trying to send the message out that it's safe to be in the canal and it's not as bad as everyone says, but I think most likely it's worse than everyone says," said Carl Teitelbaum, a member of Save Gowanus, which advocates for "responsible development" on the canal.

He noted that recent heavy rains have churned up putrid scents from the canal. "The idea of putting people in there, of putting kids in there — it's completely crazy," Teitelbaum said.

Close to 30 teams have signed up to brave the canal's toxin-laden waters — which are a SuperFund site — during a regatta this Saturday. The field of competitors includes a Canadian team, a paddle boarder and City Councilman Brad Lander.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lightstone is trying to send the message out that it's safe to be in the canal and it's not as bad as everyone says, but I think most likely it's worse than everyone says," said Carl Teitelbaum, a member of Save Gowanus, which advocates for "responsible development" on the canal.

THIS GUY SURE AIN'T FROM QUEENS WHERE HE WOULD RESPOND BY EITHER RAVING ABOUT THE NEWLY OPENED RESTAURANTS (THAT WERE UNDER WATER FROM FROM THE CREEK DURING SANDY), WHAT A GREAT PLACE TO THIS IS RAISE THE KIDS, OR TELL EVERYONE TO KEEP THEIR MOUTH SHUT AND NOT HURT PROPERTY VALUES.

TWO BOROUGHS. TWO MINDSETS. TWO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SOPHISTICATION AND INTELLIGENCE.

ANY WONDER THAT BROOKLYN GOT CIVIC VIRTUE AND IS RESTORING IT?

AND QUEENS REPUTATION IS RAPIDLY REPLACING THE BRONX AT THE BOTTOM?

Anonymous said...

In 5 years there will be high rise luxury skyscrapers here, filled with out of town transplants working in the financial industry downtown, "just a 10 minute subway ride away".

How nice.

Anonymous said...

It's ironic that people who would complain about preservatives in their food or chemicals leasking into their food from plastic containers would kayak with their kids in a body of water certifiably full of 100 years of deadly chemical toxins.

Anonymous said...

I hope none of those dopey canoe paddlers winds up in the drink.

Those highly toxic Gowanus waters can dissolve a body within minutes.

Have fun you hopped up hipsters.
Maybe a swim fest can be held next month.
Wet suits and hazmat gear is optional.

Anonymous said...

Who's liable when these idiots get sick? NO NYC taxpayer money for those Bozos. The promoters should be held accountable!

Anonymous said...

Let those promoters take a swim...bare assed!