PIX 11 | by Cory McGinnis — January 15, 2025
RED HOOK, Brooklyn (PIX11) — Dozens of Brooklyn residents rallied in front of a concrete recycling facility on Columbia Street in Red Hook, citing concerns over noise and dust pollution.
The protest, which required NYPD officers to urge demonstrators away from the entrance, highlighted growing frustrations with the city-run operation that moved to the neighborhood in February 2024.
Zac Schildhorn, a Red Hook resident of six years, expressed the community’s discontent: “These huge piles of this crushed concrete in this concrete facility showed up right in our front yard or backyard.” He further emphasized the facility’s disruptive nature, stating, “The squeals, the squeaks, the bangs, this stuff is happening at four in the morning.”
Health concerns are at the forefront of residents’ minds. Carolina Salguero, Founder and Executive Director of Portside NewYork, pointed out the potential toxicity of the concrete dust, comparing it to a similar situation in 2009 that was resolved by removing the facility.
While the Department of Transportation (DOT) claims to have implemented measures to reduce dust and noise, including decreasing the size of recycled material piles, residents remain skeptical.
Signs posted by the DOT indicate they are seeking a new permanent location, though no timeframe has been provided.
City Councilmember Shahana Hanif has joined the call for immediate action, stating, “We will make it very clear that this is an unsafe condition and we can’t take it any longer, we need this facility to shut down.” Hanif plans to meet with other city leaders to address this issue on Thursday.
