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With the push of a button, fresh water flowed into Brooklyn’s historic Gowanus
Canal for the first time in 40 years, as Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) Commissioner Joel A. Miele Sr. reactivated the Gowanus Canal Flushing
Tunnel on May 3, 1999. “The activation of the Gowanus Canal Flushing Tunnel
has been a high priority for this administration,” Commissioner Miele said
during a ceremony at the Butler Street station on the canal. “It is consistent
with Mayor Giuliani’s efforts to improve both the quality of life for all
New Yorkers and the economic climate throughout the city. “I am proud that
we have been able to develop this innovative pumping system that will not
only improve water quality in the Canal and help return it to a living waterway
for both recreational and industrial use, but will also contribute to the
long-awaited resurgence of the surrounding Carroll Gardens community,” Commissioner
Miele added.
The opening
of the Flushing Tunnel has been long awaited by local residents. At the
ceremony, the Web site southbrooklyn.net/gowanus was featured, along with The
South Brooklyn Network (http://www.southbrooklyn.net).Mark D. Phillips, producer of both websites, gave demonstrations and displayed four pieces from his exhibit, “Gowanus Canal: A Photographic Journey,” currently on display at the Brooklyn Center for the Urban Environment (BCUE) Click Here to view his photos online.
