A transformation is underway along the Gowanus Canal, one of the most polluted waterways in New York City

A transformation is taking place along the Gowanus Canal, one of the most polluted waterways in New York City.

It is part of efforts to combat environmental pollution.

There was a lot of development in Gowanus.

“Everything that's being done in this neighborhood right now is in some way addressing the flooding and sewage issues,” said Andrea Parker, executive director of the Gowanus Canal Conservancy.

Parker said she can see a bright future for the Gowanus Canal because of the hard work that is underway.

“We’re in the middle of cleaning up the super fund right now,” Parker said.

The upper third of the canal was dredged and the so-called “black mayonnaise” The canal is famous for has been removed in this area. The rest of the canal should be renovated by the early 2030s.

“We still have raw sewage going into the canal.”

However, combined sewer overflows continue to cause problems.

“During storm events like last Thursday, we still get a lot of raw sewage going into the canal, which is disgusting,” Parker said.

The smell is unavoidable.

By the end of the decade, two wastewater tanks will begin the dirty work of keeping the canal clean. Parker said she believes the biggest change to the canal will come once the wastewater storage tanks are operational.

Until then, every project addresses the problem.

“All new developments have to deal with far more stormwater than previous developments,” Parker said. “If you can build a roof garden, a green roof, you have to do that. If that's not possible, you can also build a tank in the basement.”

“Within a decade we will see a completely different, changed body of water”

New public spaces are changing the waterfront. Sackett Place offers outdoor dining at newly installed picnic tables. It is one of two projects by SCAPE as part of the Gowanus Lowlands Master Plan. SCAPE works with the preserve to visualize and realize public and private spaces along the Gowanus.

“For many decades, the edges of the canal have not been accessible to the public,” said Gena Wirth of SCAPE.

Wirth said both projects make the waterfront accessible again and are just the beginning.

“Once the phases of the master plan are completed, there will be this entirely new connecting circuit of public space centered around the canal,” Wirth said.

At 420 Carroll, a property that was once filled with trash is now a lush landscape surrounding a key feature of the space, called “Street Creek.” Stormwater is discharged from the sidewalk and filtered by native plants as it moves toward the canal.

“Within a decade we will see a completely different, changed body of water,” Wirth said.

And a changed neighborhood.

“It loses a little of its inherent grittiness.”

“I never thought in my life that Gowanus would be a trendy place,” said Gowanus resident Jennie Shulman.

Shulman moved in almost a year ago. She said she was excited about the development.

“I think it loses a little of its inherent grittiness,” said 30-year-old Gowanus resident Rachel Kueny.

A less gritty, greener Gowanus, where wetlands replace trash and kayaks float instead of sewage.