The Gowanus Whole Foods, which has been hit with delays and concerns over the toxicity of its site is not done catching flak from its neighbors. Two local groups weighed in with more concerns and suggestions this week. First, Friends and Residents of Greater Gowanus urged the Department of Environmental Conservation to reject the site cleanup plan because more than 80 percent of the store would be below street level and is in a flood plain, meaning that the seafood department could send its fish back to sea given enough rain. The group wants the store built above street level, which means it would have to go through the zoning process. Then, Park Slope Neighbors, which got a Commerce Bank branch on Fifth Avenue altered a couple of years ago, launched an online petition drive urging Whole Foods to cut parking on the site by one-third, add a green roof and come up with a transportation plan. Whole Foods has said the toxic problems aren't a problem, has rejected a green roof and hopes to break ground soon.
· Residents to Whole Foods, Gowanus Ed.: Hold the Hole [Gowanus Lounge]
· Residents to Whole Foods, Park Slope Ed.: Modify It [Gowanus Lounge]
· Gowanus Friday #1: There is No Toxic Peril [Curbed]
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