In 2019, Uprose released its own proposal for a “Green Resilient Industrial District,” or GRID, that aims to retain the waterfront’s maritime and industrial character, creating opportunities for jobs in renewable energy production, sustainable business, and recycling and waste management. The plan would also incorporate green infrastructure to reduce flooding, such as installing rain gardens, wetlands, porous surfaces, and bioswales, which decrease stormwater runoff and remove debris and pollution. Yeampierre said the initiative would not only help improve the area’s resilience to climate-related events – it experienced significant damage during Superstorm Sandy in 2012 – but would provide higher wages than the retail and office jobs created by Industry City.
Why Industry City rezoning is failing