Gowanus Whole Foods Going Even Greener, Building Half-Acre Greenhouse

Now that Whole Foods Market is moving ahead with their first Brooklyn store at 3rd Avenue and 3rd Street, they've decided to go even greener and have made some dramatic changes to the original design.

According to the Brooklyn Eagle, these changes include:

- The number of onsite parking spaces has been reduced from 430 to 248.

- Parking for energy-efficient vehicles as well as specially designated recharging stations for electric powered vehicles will be provided.

- Bike parking in front of the store and along the 40-foot pedestrian promenade will be installed.

- The store will create a 20,000-square-foot rooftop greenhouse that will grow fresh, organic produce onsite.

20,000 square feet is almost half an acre -- pretty darn decent for a Brooklyn garden. If it is operated like the Whole Foods garden in Richmond, Virginia,the plot will supply fresh produce for prepared dishes and salad-bar options.

The enterprising man in the Google Street View image above is ready to roll. He's placed a shopping cart in the middle of the street and has another one ready to go on the sidewalk. Good fellow!

The striking building on the corner is the landmarked Coignet Stone Company Building, which isn't going anywhere. It is one of the earliest known concrete buildings in New York City, and possibly the country. More about it here.

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