Earth Day 2023: Greenpoint rezoning feels like forever

The newest section of Bushwick Inlet Park, which opened in 2022, is next to the former site of the Bayside Fuel Oil Depot.

The newest section of Bushwick Inlet Park, which opened in 2022, is next to the former site of the Bayside Fuel Oil Depot.

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The newest section of Bushwick Inlet Park, which opened in 2022, is next to the former site of the Bayside Fuel Oil Depot.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

This section of Bushwick Inlet Park, at 50 Kent Avenue, opened in 2022, after a lengthy state-desginated Superfund remediation process cleaned up coal tar and other pollutants in the soil.

This section of Bushwick Inlet Park, at 50 Kent Avenue, opened in 2022, after a lengthy state-desginated Superfund remediation process cleaned up coal tar and other pollutants in the soil.

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This section of Bushwick Inlet Park, at 50 Kent Avenue, opened in 2022, after a lengthy state-desginated Superfund remediation process cleaned up coal tar and other pollutants in the soil.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

In 2008, 50 Kent Avenue was home to a NYC Sanitation Department garage and, prior to that, the Williamsburg Works Manufactured Gas Plant. After the sanitation garage was demolished, the site was used for several years as a location for the Brooklyn Flea Market and outdoor music shows.

In 2008, 50 Kent Avenue was home to a NYC Sanitation Department garage and, prior to that, the Williamsburg Works Manufactured Gas Plant. After the sanitation garage was demolished, the site was used for several years as a location for the Brooklyn Flea Market and outdoor music shows.

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In 2008, 50 Kent Avenue was home to a NYC Sanitation Department garage and, prior to that, the Williamsburg Works Manufactured Gas Plant. After the sanitation garage was demolished, the site was used for several years as a location for the Brooklyn Flea Market and outdoor music shows.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

The park space at 50 Kent Avenue looks out onto the former site of the Bayside Fuel Oil Depot, whose oil storage tanks were demolished in 2019. The depot site has not yet been remediated.

The park space at 50 Kent Avenue looks out onto the former site of the Bayside Fuel Oil Depot, whose oil storage tanks were demolished in 2019. The depot site has not yet been remediated.

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The park space at 50 Kent Avenue looks out onto the former site of the Bayside Fuel Oil Depot, whose oil storage tanks were demolished in 2019. The depot site has not yet been remediated.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

The waterfront of the Greenpoint Terminal Market, photographed in 2018. A large portion of this historic manufacturing complex was burned down in an enormous fire in 2006, after the rezoning passed.

The waterfront of the Greenpoint Terminal Market, photographed in 2018. A large portion of this historic manufacturing complex was burned down in an enormous fire in 2006, after the rezoning passed.

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The waterfront of the Greenpoint Terminal Market, photographed in 2018. A large portion of this historic manufacturing complex was burned down in an enormous fire in 2006, after the rezoning passed.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

Today, the footprint of the burned buildings has yet to be redeveloped and opened to the public. Instead, it is home to the Skyline Drive In movie theater and NYC Glamping, where visitors can camp on the waterfront, inside a shipping container.

Today, the footprint of the burned buildings has yet to be redeveloped and opened to the public. Instead, it is home to the Skyline Drive In movie theater and NYC Glamping, where visitors can camp on the waterfront, inside a shipping container.

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Today, the footprint of the burned buildings has yet to be redeveloped and opened to the public. Instead, it is home to the Skyline Drive In movie theater and NYC Glamping, where visitors can camp on the waterfront, inside a shipping container.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

The Huxley Envelope warehouse at the foot of Huron and India Street, photographed in 2013. The abandoned waterfront piers here were a popular destination for local residents.

The Huxley Envelope warehouse at the foot of Huron and India Street, photographed in 2013. The abandoned waterfront piers here were a popular destination for local residents.

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The Huxley Envelope warehouse at the foot of Huron and India Street, photographed in 2013. The abandoned waterfront piers here were a popular destination for local residents.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

Today the same site is home to a public esplanade and playground built as part of The Greenpoint, a 40-story apartment tower erected after a brownfield remediation project removed the site’s hazardous waste and oil tanks.

Today the same site is home to a public esplanade and playground built as part of The Greenpoint, a 40-story apartment tower erected after a brownfield remediation project removed the site’s hazardous waste and oil tanks.

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Today the same site is home to a public esplanade and playground built as part of The Greenpoint, a 40-story apartment tower erected after a brownfield remediation project removed the site’s hazardous waste and oil tanks.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

Huron Street, photographed in 2013, when it was still lined with one story warehouses. The Huxley Envelope site was located at the dead end of this street.

Huron Street, photographed in 2013, when it was still lined with one story warehouses. The Huxley Envelope site was located at the dead end of this street.

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Huron Street, photographed in 2013, when it was still lined with one story warehouses. The Huxley Envelope site was located at the dead end of this street.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

Huron Street today is nearly unrecognizable. The 40-story tower of The Greenpoint is on the left, and a new tower is under construction on the right, as part of a luxury condominium development called The Huron.

Huron Street today is nearly unrecognizable. The 40-story tower of The Greenpoint is on the left, and a new tower is under construction on the right, as part of a luxury condominium development called The Huron.

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Huron Street today is nearly unrecognizable. The 40-story tower of The Greenpoint is on the left, and a new tower is under construction on the right, as part of a luxury condominium development called The Huron.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

The fenced off waterfront at the northern end of Greenpoint, photographed in 2013. Much of the shoreline here was used for truck parking lots and construction equipment storage yards.

The fenced off waterfront at the northern end of Greenpoint, photographed in 2013. Much of the shoreline here was used for truck parking lots and construction equipment storage yards.

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The fenced off waterfront at the northern end of Greenpoint, photographed in 2013. Much of the shoreline here was used for truck parking lots and construction equipment storage yards.

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist

The same stretch of waterfront at the northern end of Greenpoint is now home to Greenpoint Landing, where several residential towers have now been completed

The same stretch of waterfront at the northern end of Greenpoint is now home to Greenpoint Landing, where several residential towers have now been completed

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The same stretch of waterfront at the northern end of Greenpoint is now home to Greenpoint Landing, where several residential towers have now been completed

Nathan Kensinger for Gothamist