Brooklyn Public Library Pacific Branch
The Pacific Street Library—Brooklyn’s oldest Carnegie branch—has been a cornerstone for neighborhood connection since 1904. As an early collaborator of The Dear Neighbor Project, this site helped us imagine what community storytelling could look like across Gowanus. The exhibition here includes voices of MS447 middle schoolers, longtime Brooklyn residents, educators, and local business owners, who speak to the everyday impact of flooding—from missed school days to overwhelmed sewers and disappearing storefronts.
A special thanks to the Brooklyn Public Library staff for generously hosting this extended Artist-in-Residence installation.
Dear Neighbor,
how has flooding in Gowanus affected you?
Joe Ciccone
My basement used to constantly get flooded. Uh, the little cafeteria that was on the corner of Carroll Street constantly had to close because they were flooded.
Rekae Mina
But like, there's like so much water coming down. It was kind of like where you will leave like a fire hydrant open, you know?
Dear Neighbor,
what was your experience growing up in Gowanus?
Alfonso Rosario
So, growing up in Gowanus, it was a much different place than it is now. Everybody knew everybody. Every parent knew each other.
Alfonso Rosario
I feel like if there were more opportunities for people to have housing in the neighborhood that they grew up in, it would be a better thing.They want to be here, but they can’t be here because they can’t afford to be here.
Paula Smith
They're changing the neighborhood, and they're taking away all our mom-and-pop stores, so now we have no places to shop. And soon, Macy's will be gone. So I said, where are we supposed to shop? And they told me, online. I don't really like that. Online.
Hear all the interviews that inspired this mural
Paula Smith, long-time Brooklyn resident
Conducted 2025-01-25 by:
- Crystal-Angelee Burrell
Alfonso Rosario, Owner of Kiosko 787 restaurant in Brooklyn
Conducted 2024-12-11 by:
- Crystal-Angelee Burrell
Tania Balan-Gaubert, Gowanus-based mixed-media conceptual Artist
Conducted 2024-12-16 by:
- Crystal-Angelee Burrell
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