Brooklyn Invests $24M in Snow Ops and Compost Facilities

New infrastructure will improve winter storm response and boost sustainability efforts in Gowanus neighborhood.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:56am

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A bold, abstract silkscreen illustration of a snow plow truck repeated in a grid, rendered in a high-contrast neon color palette, conceptually representing New York City's upgraded winter storm infrastructure.New York City's $24 million investment in snow operations and composting facilities will bolster the city's resilience during winter storms.Brooklyn Today

The City of New York has completed a $24 million project to build new snow operations and composting facilities in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn. The facilities, funded and constructed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Sanitation (DSNY), include a 7,600-square-foot snow operations center that can store 6 million pounds of road salt and power equipment with rooftop solar panels.

Why it matters

The new infrastructure will bolster Brooklyn's ability to respond to dangerous winter weather conditions, while also supporting critical sewer upgrades and expanding the city's composting program. The investment reflects the city's commitment to improving public services, sustainability, and community resilience.

The details

The new facilities include an underground storage tank that can intercept and store up to 4 million gallons of sewage that would otherwise flow into the Gowanus Canal during heavy rains. The snow operations center has a reinforced structure to support the weight of 6 million pounds of road salt and can store up to 75 plow blades and brine tanks. Rooftop solar panels generate 79,600 watts of renewable energy to power the facilities.

  • The $24 million project was completed in April 2026.

The players

Zohran Kwame Mamdani

The Mayor of New York City.

Lisa F. Garcia

The Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Gregory Anderson

The Commissioner of the Department of Sanitation (DSNY).

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What they’re saying

“The new facilities will bolster Brooklyn's ability to respond to dangerous winter weather conditions, while also supporting critical sewer upgrades and expanding the city's composting program.”

— Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor of New York City

The takeaway

This investment in snow operations and composting infrastructure demonstrates New York City's commitment to improving public services, sustainability, and community resilience in the face of extreme weather and environmental challenges.