Residents near the infamous Gowanus Superfund site are fighting against a 400-bed migrant shelter they say is for the benefit of asylum seekers themselves, according to a new lawsuit. are doing.
Mayor Eric Adams’ administration plans to open a shelter at the corner of Third and Bond streets on the canal’s shoreline, an area the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection tagged as a hazardous area in 2010. It is an area where
Despite a subsequent $500 million cleanup project that has elevated the area to hotspot status, residents’ groups say the shelter site remains contaminated.
“Choosing a toxic building in an unrepaired manufacturing zone run by one of the city’s ‘worst landlords’ to protect vulnerable immigrants is a recipe for disaster,” the Third Street Block Association said in a statement. We invite you,” he said in a statement to the Post.
The association and other plaintiffs’ comments come after David Levitan, one of the co-owners of the company that owns the building, previously appeared on the City Public Advocate’s “Worst Landlords” list in 2015. It was the target.
The lawsuit, filed in Brooklyn State Supreme Court, alleges that the city of Brooklyn and the shelter’s operators, 130 Third Owner LLC and BHRAGS Home Care, failed to conduct an environmental review under state law, or that the company had been involved in a “long and very well-known process.” They claim that there was a lack of “respect for history.” Environmental pollution in this area is serious. ”
“This oversight undermines the prudent development restrictions the city has placed on other properties in the Gowanus area to protect the health and safety of those who live there,” Christopher Rizzo, an attorney with Carter Ledyard & Milburn, said in court documents. This is in sharp contrast.” “The city’s homeless population should be evaluated equally under the State Environmental Quality Review Act.”
According to the plaintiffs, both the city’s zoning law and administrative code prohibit the conversion of existing industrial or commercial buildings in manufacturing districts into residential or “rooming houses,” except in limited circumstances. That’s what it means.
The complaint points out that the city planning commission did not include the shelter site in the 82-block Gowanus zoning district, which allows for both residential and manufacturing uses.
“HPD did not conduct an environmental review. This is especially troubling given HPD’s following circumstances.”
This decision will result in hundreds of people living in extremely dangerous conditions for an extended period of time.
“It is a well-known history of environmental pollution,” the lawsuit states.
A City Hall spokeswoman said a lawsuit is being considered.
The city’s Department of Social Services and Homeless Services announced it has contracted with BHRAGS Home Care to operate a shelter for up to 400 recently arrived immigrants. Although it is an emergency location, officials said Gowanus residents were notified months before it was scheduled to open.
In a statement to the Post, DSS said it provides a safe and secure environment for migrants in Gowanus, with 24-hour security and 24-hour community feedback. However, he did not specifically mention this location.
DSS officials said more than 178,000 migrants have arrived in the city since spring 2022, with hundreds more arriving each week, and the city is working to meet the unprecedented needs. It said it was “significantly boosting” the city’s evacuation shelter system by opening 216 emergency hubs across five boroughs. I’ve crossed my breaking point. ”
A spokesperson for the agency said: “Additional capacity is desperately needed and all communities are coming together to identify viable capacity across all five boroughs to meet urgent shelter needs. There is a need.”
“As the City continues to seek additional support from our federal and state partners, we will leverage all the tools at our disposal to address this humanitarian crisis, connect vulnerable households to critical assistance, and help them make the most of their next steps. We are helping you take the next step.”
The newspaper reached out to building owner David Levitan for comment.
According to the plaintiffs, Brooklyn City Councilmember Shahana Hanif, who represents Gowanus, does not oppose the shelter.
The Adams administration has been criticized for awarding too many expensive no-bid emergency contracts for immigration services. These include contracts with companies that provide prepaid cash cards to asylum seekers and other private companies that charge exorbitant fees for security and other staffing.
