Town pall

Sarina Finkelstein

Gina Crozier, Lucy Gembitsky and Johnny Gembitsky Vital statistics Gina is a makeup artist; Johnny is a photographer. Lucy is three.How long have you lived in the 'Burg? Six years Rent or own? Rent What's your favorite neighborhood restaurant? Sapporo HaruWhat's Lucy's favorite music group? Jonathan Richman and the Modern LoversWho's her favorite author? Marie-Ange GuillaumeWhat's Lucy's favorite locally purchased article of clothing? A Quincy sweater from Sam & SebDescribe Lucy's style HappyWhy Williamsburg? Originally, pre-kid, because of good spaces. Post-kid, the neighborhood has a lot to offer families.

Sarina Finkelstein

Garbage
Williamsburg-Greenpoint has the largest concentration of waste transfer stations in NYC and processes some 40 percent of the city's garbage. The result: smell and pollution. Since forming locally in 1999, Organizations United for Trash Reduction and Garbage Equity (OUTRAGE) has been pushing the city to reduce the number of transfer stations here. Unimpressed by the city's recently unveiled 20-year Garbage Plan, OUTRAGE is working with elected officials to make sure a revised plan redistributes waste fairly throughout the city. Expect the City Council to vote on the plan this spring.

The power plant
In 2001, TransGas Energy proposed to build an 1,100 megawatt power plant in Williamsburg. More than 60 organizations formed a task force to oppose the plant, citing concerns about receiving an additional 2,000 tons of toxic emissions in the air locally, including 500 tons of particulate matter. Virtually every elected NYC official, including the Mayor, opposes the siting of the plant, but a decision on TGE is in the hands of the state. In February, the fates of the proposed Jets Stadium in Manhattan and TGE's Brooklyn plant became intertwined: TGE trumped the Jets' bid for the MTA land where the team (backed by Bloomberg) wants to build a stadium, and made its bid contingent on the state okaying the Williamsburg plant. The state's verdict is due in June or later.

Waterfront development
Residents recognize that gentrification is a defense against power plants and garbage. Still, they're battling a city rezoning plan for the once-industrial Williamsburg-Greenpoint waterfront that would open the area to massive residential development, including 40-story riverside towers—almost sure to be luxury condos. A coalition of more than 40 community groups opposing the plan points to, among other problems, displacement of low- and middle-income families and a burden being placed on schools and transportation by an estimated 40,000 new residents. In December 2004, the community board voted no to much of the city's proposal; the borough president and other local politicians also oppose it in its current form. The plan is making its rounds through city agencies, with a final decision by the City Council sxpected by May.