I love trees. probably more than most people, and think there should be more all around. these landlords who are not planting trees should be hounded and until parking becomes less of a problem, we should all be concerned as the new folks moving in will bring more cars rather than less.

I just think this neighborhood should think big, not small. be prepared for the future and be realistic. the triangle will not be used as it is now intended. it now looks like someone is baracading it in some post 9-11 security fashion. if it continues to improve (raised curb and this aforemention FOUNTAIN) great, if not, let’s keep it real and keep DUMBO semi-industrial not some new wannabe tribeca.

and, yet, still, GUTTMAN why no trees?

Rascal’s clever metaphor eloquently gets to the point of some thoughts I’ve had but didn’t share because they would’ve come out awkwardly and they would’ve partly undermined my argument (which I admit I sometimes love too much for its own sake).

I latched onto the triangle project quickly and perhaps prematurely for its “people over autos” side. Old habits I guess.

And it adds green to my window view — sounds great! But it’s not as though we’re particularly starved for greenspace here, with one of the most beautiful parks in the city just blocks away. I like the rough-hewn quality of this neighborhood (speaking mainly of the east side). Actually it may be what I like most. How much beautification do we want?

I’m being redundant now (again, Rascal said it so well) but blabbering on helps, believe it or not, to organize my thoughts so I can more easily come to a conclusion.

By the way, thanks for this forum Hideyoshi! And whosincharge, ad hominem comments aside, I appreciate your contentions. If we ever meet in some Guttman building bar, first round’s on me!

It has been proven that by adding flowers and trees to otherwise barren streets increases safety because it communicates civic pride and sends a message that the neighborhood folks care, are watching, and will call the police if there is a disturbance. You can read more about this phenomenon in the book ‘The Power of Place’.

I’m happy to see any efforts towards beautifucation and greenery and hope there will only be more of this to come in DUMBO.

This is an odd initial project for BID funds. In addition to the legitimate critiques by others, this represents a rather explicit lurch in the direction of prettifying a neighborhood whose appeal is based largely on its industrial past. This is not an argument against trees or public spaces or even baby strollers and bankers, but why try to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear when our modern sensibilities find unique and significant artisitic merit in the sow?

A major challenge to usage of this space will be that no food or beverage vendors currently populate this triangle. A cafe or coffee shop seems an essential anchor; maybe this will provide an incentive for such an establishment.

I wish the DNA had made the opening of the bridge archway their first priority with the DOT rather than this, although this was probably easier to facilitate, a faster route to evidence of action.

i am all for trees and think they should be in the ground like mother earth would want. not enslaved in containers flanking Guttman’s buildings when apparently he could care less about trees. as evidence, i implore everyone to count the trees adjacent his buildings. get back to me on that one, adam. and again, count the amount of people in the island, i bet more people used it as parking spots than will find respite there as a lunch or meditation location.

I’m anti-car and you’re anti-change.

I don’t know why Guttman (owner of 68 Jay — condescension unnecessary) didn’t plant trees in the new sidewalk. Was he supposed to? Jan?

Also you didn’t answer the question. You mentioned a smoke screen and asserted that we are all paying to beautify Guttman’s area. How much did we pay? How much did Guttman pay to build new sidewalk?

You think the neighborhood needs more parking spots. Fine, that may be true. You’d know better than me; I gave up car ownership. But again, if all the spots from the triangle are being moved rather than eliminated, what’s the problem?

I certainly never claimed to be an authority on any matter surrounding the recent construction. Does your longer tenure make you an authority or your opinions worth more? I gladly step aside and give weight to the words of longtime residents in matters where I think tenure lends wisdom. You probably disagree with me, but I don’t think this is one of those times.

Who says I work in Manhattan? Now you’re just being presumptuous and snide. Let’s not do that. I’d much prefer to be on good terms with my neighbors regardless differences in opinion. Maybe as a newbie I should just shut up.

why trees in the middle of the street and not in the sidewalk? why a half-ass job when, i partially agree, if done right (trees in ground, fountain, benches) the area could be decent. although never a quiet relaxing respite or lunch spot.

adam, do you know who Guttman even is? he owns all the buildings surrounding the triangle where the neighborhood paid for the trees.

All the while, he put in new sidewalk, but no trees. In the meantime, the neighborhood needs more parking spots, not the same amount or less.

being new to the neighoborhood, albeit an enthusiastic newbie, doesn’t make you an authority. don’t bother hunting details on new spots for me, i wouldn’t want to interrupt your busy Manhattan schedule, enjoy the container plants on evenings and weekends, apparently the only times you are even in the neighborhood. i suspect no one else will be enjoying the space as much as my car used to. when i see the throngs relaxing on the painted grey asphalt, i will consider myself proven wrong.

Regarding your 12:58 post, how much did you pay to “beautify” Guttman’s area? And why the quotes? Do you think the triangle was more attractive as a parking lot?

Parking is ironically worse on weekend days when people are more and more coming down to the neighborhood to shop. A phenomena that would have never happened years ago.