Creating Green Buffers in the Greenpoint Industrial Area: A Community Planning Initiative

In 2015, through a competitive process, the NYC Soil and Water Conservation District received a $97,675 GCEF grant (and provided $25,230 in matching funds) to engage Greenpoint business owners and operators, and residents in a green planning initiative for the industrial area of Eastern Greenpoint. The initiative focused on creating more natural habitats in the community and adding green infrastructure (e.g. in-ground planting, above-ground planters, and green walls) to reduce the amount of stormwater entering the sewer system and local waters. The project conducted community outreach on the initiative through the distribution of fact sheets. In addition, the project sponsored walking tours to introduce residents and businesses to the problems associated with stormwater, the related benefits of green infrastructure, and the value of natural habitats for native birds and plants.

To develop a greening plan for Eastern Greenpoint’s industrial area, the project recruited residents and members of the local business community as project partners to participate in a collaborative planning process. After consulting with the community through various workshops, the project partners conducted project surveys and compiled existing environmental data to find possible locations for natural habitat sites and green infrastructure. Subsequently, the project partners developed a greening plan with potential project implementation strategies (e.g., permitting, funding, and local capacity). In March 2018, a public meeting was held to share the final plan with community members, businesses, and public officials.

• Hosted 4 public events to inform the community about the impacts of stormwater, combined sewer overflow, and the benefits of green infrastructure
• Produced 4 fact sheets on stormwater, water quality, native plants, and migratory and nesting birds that were distributed to the community
• Held 2 workshops to gather community input on developing a greening plan for Eastern Greenpoint’s industrial area
• Conducted an environmental conditions assessment to identify potential sites for natural habitats and green infrastructure
• Reached out to more than 100 businesses in the study area, and met with dozens of business owners and managers in developing the plan
• Created a greening plan for the industrial area of Greenpoint that was presented to the community, businesses, and public officials

• Creating Green Buffers in the Greenpoint Industrial Area: Greening Plan
• Creating Green Buffers in the Greenpoint Industrial Area: Fact Sheets