At Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), we’ve always believed that a neighborhood plan is only as good as the community’s power to enforce it. When the Gowanus rezoning was approved, FAC and the Gowanus Neighborhood Coalition for Justice didn’t just walk away—we fought for the Gowanus Oversight Task Force (GOTF) to ensure every promise made to our community becomes a promise kept.
Made up of a diverse and representative group of community volunteers that help advance a more just, inclusive, and resilient Gowanus, the members of GOTF have advocated proactively and collaboratively with NYC agencies to advance timely and equitable implementation of the commitments detailed in the 56 Points of Agreement (POA) outlined in the Gowanus Neighborhood Plan.
2025: Advocacy in Action
Because of the persistent oversight of the GOTF, we saw major milestones reached in 2025:
- The Reopening of the Gowanus Houses Community Center: After being shuttered for 20 years, the Gowanus Houses Community Center has finally reopened its doors. This is a testament to the power of resident-led organizing and long-term advocacy.
- The Construction of New and Affordable Artist Studios and Housing: We’ve seen 1,223 permanently affordable apartments completed or enter development. This includes the opening of Kay’s Place, an affordable housing building, and the first six subsidized artist studios at 420 Carroll Street—keeping the creative heart of Gowanus beating.
- The Opening of New Public Spaces: Over 300 linear feet of new pedestrian walkways and public plazas are now underway, featuring public art commissioned by local artists.
2026: The Fight for “Gowanus Green” & Beyond
While GOTF celebrates these wins, we aren’t slowing down. The Taskforce’s 2026 priorities focus on the most critical “Points of Agreement” that remain to be completed:
- Gowanus Green: As a co-developer of this site, FAC is committed to delivering 955 units of 100% affordable housing, a new school, and a park. Currently, the project is stalled due to an environmental remediation dispute between National Grid and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. In the first quarter of 2026, GOTF is convening a public meeting to ensure transparency and provide a project update.
- Infrastructure & Flooding: GOTF is pushing the City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for real data on the Unified Stormwater Rule. Our neighbors shouldn’t have to fear the next heavy rain; we need sewer upgrades that actually mitigate flooding and Combined Sewer Overflow.
- Modernization: GOFT is closely tracking the delayed NYCHA renovations at Gowanus and Wyckoff Houses to ensure residents get the dignified living conditions they were promised.
- Establishing the Gowanus BID: The community effort to create a Gowanus Business Improvement District (BID) is moving forward. This BID will be a vital tool for the neighborhood, focused on supporting our local small businesses and residents, advocating for long-term resiliency, and maintaining thriving waterfronts, parks, and streets for everyone to enjoy.
Get Involved
FAC encourages community members to join one of the five GOTF committees: Housing, Sustainability, Open Space, Economic Development, or Public Infrastructure.
To join a committee or learn more, please email info@gowanustaskforce.net.
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