Part 6/10:
After decades of neglect and the gradual migration of industries to other areas of the city, the Gowanus Canal faced a crisis point by the late 20th century. At its peak, the canal processed millions of tons of goods annually, but by the 1980s, it had become derelict. Warehouse spaces that once thrived emptied out, leading to an economic downturn in the area. Despite this, arts-oriented businesses began to emerge in the late 1990s, hinting at the beginning of a possible revitalization.