Lake Gowanus Grows, So Does Whole Foods Site

View of Lake Gowanus, originally uploaded by rsguskind.

This is the latest view of Lake Gowanus, the murky body of water formed by seeping groundwater at the future site of the Whole Foods at Third Avenue and Third Street in Gowanus. First expected this year, the opening date for Whole Foods has been pushed back until 2008 because of toxic issues on the site (and, as clearly visible, groundwater).

Whole Foods is now primed to expand toward the Gowanus Canal. As reported in Curbed, the adjacent building supply company--which Whole Foods was said to covet--and Red Hook Crusher, a building recycling facility right on the canal, are now closed.

The Brooklyn Paper has reported that Red Hook Crushers' permit was not renewed by the Department of Sanitation. Coincidence? GL thinks not. While Sanitation says it had to do with "integrity issues," GL believes that Whole Foods wasn't into the idea of organic bok choy (or the cars of shoppers) coated with concrete dust.

In any case, the entire block along Third Street from Third Avenue to the Gowanus Canal is now industry- and business-free and clear for development. GL looks forward to munching on a yummy organic couscous salad on the shores of the Gowanus.