(Photo by epc)

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• BBQ Truck in Dumbo This Weekend, 29Jan08, Village Voice
• Digital DUMBO Drinks – See You at the Next One, 30Jan08, Carrotblog
• Dumbo = SOHO According to Realtors, 305Jan08, Brownstoner
• Anger at BBP Public Meeting, 30Jan08, Brooklyn Paper
• Digital DUMBO Drinks, 30Jan08, NYConvergence
• Gleason’s Gym Back in Ring, 30Jan08, YourNabe
• Digital District in Dumbo Gets Together, 30Jan08, Guest of a Guest
• Newsday: Visit Dumbo, 29Jan08, Newsday
• Crazy Sexy Disco in Dumbo, 27Jan08, divinerhythmnews
• Brooklyn Flea, 27Jan08, NY Press
• BBP Costs Go Up, 285Jan08, Brooklyn Paper
• Brooklyn Paper Endoreses Dock St, 29Jan08, Brooklyn Paper
• Alan Richman Visits Vinegar Hill House, 27Jan08, GQ
• Man Survives Jump Off Manhattan Bridge, 27Jan08, Gothamist
• Residents Voice Concerns Over DUMBO Project, 27Jan08, NY1
• Lobby Fees For Dock St, 27Jan08, Brooklyn Paper

The The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation, the New York State government entity charged with designing and constructing the Brooklyn Bridge Park, held a public meeting Wednesday night. Matthew Parker provides an overview of the meeting over at Brooklyn Heights Blog. Last week, we posted an announcement by the BBPDC that due to the current economic conditions,close to 800 high-rise luxury condos and a hotel planned to support the BBP are on hold indefinitely. Also on hold are plans to renovate the Empire Stores warehouse. While this announcement didn’t surprise many in the community who have seen delays and postponing of the development of the park for several years, the BBPDC focused their presentation (pdf) on how they will be focusing on cost cutting to maintain the park. According to Mr. Parker, some in the meeting expressed criticism for the ballooning construction and maintenance budgets:

“Some in the meeting audience displayed acrimony and sharp criticism towards the BBPDC officials due to the park’s ballooning construction and maintenance budgets that have more than doubled since the BBPDC last released a detailed set of project financials. Additionally, some at the meeting were angry with the BBPDC over its decision to include luxury housing and a hotel in the park plan as a way to fund the park’s ongoing maintenance rather than seeking other forms of revenue that were not fully dependent on the real estate market.
Other criticism included calls for the BBPDC’s board of directors to better reflect the diversity of opinion about park planning from the surrounding communities.
Ms. Myer announced that the BBPDC would reconstitute a Community Advisory Council (CAC) comprised of members from the local communities. When asked how the selection process would work for the CAC, Ms. Myer said she would primarily look to local elected officials to appoint community volunteers.”

The bottom line by the BBPDC is the short term model allows the Park to cover projected expenses in the early years, and will phase in approved development sites to ensure that revenues cover operating expenses and maritime infrastructure rehabilitation. The current long term projections of revenues and expenses are within 5% of each other, and not possible to responsibly consider eliminating any development revenue sources at this time.

{BBPDC Open Meeting Recap, BHB}
{Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation}

“Disfarmer” examines the life of a portrait photographer through the use of puppetry, as well as a photography exhibit curated by the director Dan Hurlin. The story is inspired by the over forty-year career (1915-1959) of portrait photographer Mike Disfarmer, who for decades shunned his family and neighbors while operating the only portrait studio for miles around Heber Springs, Arkansas (Google map). During his career, Disfarmer built a special dark room for his portrait sessions and when his negatives surfaced in the 1970s, his portraits were recognized as “a work of artistic genius” and “a classical episode in the history of American photography.”

Steven Kasher Gallery is loaning images for the show is displayed in the St. Ann’s Warehouse lobby. The photographer is represented by a series of puppets, each smaller than the last, until he disappears. Disfamer “seeks to create a visceral sense of the photographer’s interior and exterior worlds, illuminating the contradictions in the life of this American hermit whose intimate and revealing portraiture documented an entire community.” Live music is played during the show by a band that plays banjo, accordions, and the fiddle.

Disfarmer is running from January 27 to February 8 at St. Ann’s Warehouse.

St. Ann’s Warehouse
38 Water Street, Dumbo Brooklyn, NY
718-254-8779 or 866-811-4111
{stannswarehouse.org}

A strong showing by the opposition of Dock Street Dumbo came to the hearing yesterday evening at the Brooklyn Borough Hall. The majority of the speakers were opposed to the tune of approximately 3 to 1, according to those who attended. With hearings such as this one, the crowd tends to favor the opposition, but both sides came with strong arguments. The supporters of the project are hoping that a new public middle school will be built to accommodate the growing families in the area. The arguments against the building came from both residents and land use experts all over and outside of the neighborhood. A representative from Simon & Schuster publishing house read a personal letter from David McCollough (author of The Great Bridge) opposing the project for the sake of the bridge (pdf of letter). One emailer sent us their take on it: “I felt the parade of statements opposing the building were elegant, pointed, and diverse offering hard evidence, well-reasoned argument, and emotionally compelling appeals.”

The general theme was that the bridge was too important to not protect and could not be traded away for a school. Also, the opposition notes that bundling the school issue with the building forced upon people a “false choice” between preserving the bridge and getting a school. Several other school solutions were offered as potentially viable alternatives worthy of exploration including two new offers of providing school space by large area property owners (including the owner of 205 Water).

Regarding the school, this morning’s Brooklyn Paper article about the event quoted Mr. Walentas:

“If you’re an agency charged with building the maximum number of school seats for the least amount of money, you’d be reckless not to pursue a deal with us,” he said.

He also rejected the argument that the middle school was included solely to get approval for the rezoning, which will raise the value of his site and his company’s other properties in DUMBO, a former warehouse and industrial zone that his father, David Walentas, is credited with turning into one of New York’s most desirable neighborhoods for residents and artists.

“Yes, it is true that the rezoning would add value to the site,” he said. “But because of our broader interest in the neighborhood, we’re actually giving it back in the form of a school and affordable housing.

Echoing a comment made by Carlo Trigiani, hopefully through compromise, a common ground can be met and this is the job of Marty Markowitz before his recommendation goes to the City Planning Commission.

(Photo from savethebrooklynbridge.org)

On January 14, the Community Board 2 met to vote on the proposed rezoning of the Dock Street Dumbo project and was approved 30 to 7 for the project. This evening, as part of the next step of the ULURP (Uniform Land Use Review Procedure) approval process, a public hearing will take place by Marty Markowitz (borough president) from 4 to 9 pm in the Brooklyn Borough Hall Courtroom, second floor, 209 Joralemon St. Below is a letter to the residents of Dumbo from Andrew Stengel, a member of the Community Board 2 on the reasons he opposes the Dock Street zoning application. Please note that this posting is not an endorsement for or against the project by DumboNYC. To be fair, please visit Two Tree Management’s website to read letters from the supporters of the plan:

To the Residents of Dumbo and Surrounding Communities:

I live in Dumbo and I am on Community Board 2 and its Land Use Committee.

As you likely know by now, Land Use rejected the developer’s Dock St. ULURP application by a vote of 7-6 (approved by the full board 30-7) and passed a resolution recommending R7B zoning, i.e., 75-foot height limit, by a 10-1 vote (two abstentions) that was never acted upon by the board.

There at least a dozen reasons I oppose the current Dock St. zoning application. Following are explanations for two of the primary issues.

The argument presented to the community is: you can have a new 300-seat public middle school and 80/20 housing only if we build an 18-story, over 200-foot tall building, adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge. So, do we want to preserve the Brooklyn Bridge or build a new school? This is a completely false choice. (I agree that anything developed at the site should indeed include 80/20 housing. Affordable housing is a serious concern in the community.)

A new public school is a discrete issue. The process to choose Dock St. as the site for a new school was completely dysfunctional and lacked any transparency. (Trust me, I know dysfunction when I see it.) The Department of Education’s search should have started with the question: what do we need to serve the children of the community? Then, where is the best place to do it? Instead DOE apparently settled on Dock St. as the only choice.

The Department of Education has failed to do its homework regarding all of the possible sites for a new middle school in Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights. How do we know there aren’t existing sites that could house a 45,000 square foot facility? (I do wonder if real estate owners have been in contact with DOE.) Set aside the issues of financing for the Dock St. development, what about potential construction delays? (Atlantic Yards, anyone?) With an existing facility there would be no question–if or when?–about construction.

A second, equally important issue, is context. The buildings adjacent and nearest to Dock St. are three, four, five and seven stories–and the Dock St. lot currently includes a one-story building. In that area 18 stories–more than 210 feet with mechanical–is simply wrong. Context, like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But only those blinded with emotion about a new school could possibly see Dock St. as contextual. (Please visit savethebrooklynbridge.org/renderings.asp for images representing the comparative height and bulk of Dock St. from the vantage point of the bridge and streets.)

It is true that buildings a few blocks away from the Dock St. site rise to an similar height. Yes, they are a few blocks away and not thisclose to the Brooklyn Bridge, a national historic landmark. This is not about a view from somebody’s apartment. It is about everybody’s view–whether standing on a street on Dumbo or looking out from the Brooklyn Bridge roadway.

In sum, I believe we can and should have reading, writing and responsible development.

Sincerely,
Andrew Stengel

{Borough President Official Hearing Notice (pdf)}
{Past Dock Street posts}

E. Wynne Noble started living in Dumbo in the early 1980′s. She is a ceramic artist and recently began teaching from her studio. At first, she had a live/work situation on Pearl St. Then she took a work-only studio at 135 Plymouth Street where she has been for about 25 years. We asked her about her work and how Dumbo has changed over the years.

Tell us about your art and what inspires you.

My artwork is inspired by many cultures, the interplay of geography and the work of the human hand. The work addresses the dual characteristics of what is made by nature and what is made by human beings. Structure, form, color, as well as almost a lifetime of Brooklyn living are colored by a love of the countryside; all of these are the building blocks of these creations.

How do you come up with your designs? Do you plan it out before starting on a piece?

The direct juxtaposition of what we seem to be and who we really are, are evident in the nature of each piece. Fronts and backs, insides and outsides; are related – and significantly different. Thoughtful planning, followed by an intuitive process delivers the work. Meticulous care is taken so that each work extends an unspoken invitation to look again. The desire to touch is hard to deny.

What made you decide to open your studio for students of pottery?

The story goes that teachers learn at least as much from their students as the students learn from the teacher. It is terrific to see people light up as they work with clay.

You’ve been in Dumbo for a long time; how has it changed in your eyes? What do you like/dislike about the neighborhood?

It used to be that if you were walking to the subway in the evening and you saw another person on the street, the smart thing to do was turn around and head the other way. Now the vibe in the neighborhood is much like it used to be in SOHO in the 1970’s. It would be great if the neighborhood has not passed the tipping point where artists cannot stay in the area due to the mood of the market and the manner of too many of the developers. What makes the area so great is the broad spectrum of people who are a part of the place.

—

If you’re interested in learning how to work with clay (and make pottery) Wynne Noble is offering semi-private lessons, group classes and parties.

• Tuesdays 4-6 pm, 7-9pm
• Thursdays 10:30am-12:30, 7:30-9:30pm
• Sundays 11am-1pm, 2:30-4:30pm

Ask for further schedule information and any questions.

FLEXIBLE LESSON TIMES
Classes are open to adults as well as school students. You can take this class with your child / parent, friend or partner. (4) 2 hour classes $160 per person. All materials and practice time included.

Contact wynne@nobletv.com or call 347-683-8781.

(Photo by prendio2)

The following are selected links from this past week on blogs and websites with discussion about Dumbo (and its neighboring areas):

• Food Coming to Brooklyn Flea in Dumbo, 23Jan08, Serious Eats
• Doubling Down at the Dumbo Flea, 23Jan08, Brownstoner
• New Bridge Signage in Dumbo, 22Jan08, Brownstoner
• BHA Mobilizes Against Dock Street DUMBO, 23Jan08, BHB
• Brownstoner gets More Ink at NY Times, 23Jan08, NY Times
• House of the Day: 69 Gold St., 20Jan08, Browstoner
• VH House Worth the Hype, 19Jan08, Examiner
• Dumbo Tower Boost, 19Jan08, NY Post
• Chow: Great Neighborhood Food at VHH, 18Jan08, Chowhound
• 6 ‘Hoods Worth Visiting in Brooklyn, 23Jan08, Features Travel
• Small Apple in Dumbo, 18Jan08, Dwell Blog
• Empire Stores Also Put on Hold, 22Jan08, Brownstoner
• A Green SEED in Dumbo, 24Jan08, Brooklyn Eagle
• Fight For View Of Brooklyn Bridge, 21Jan08, CBS TV
• B25 Bus Route, Facing Axe, Target of Petitions, 22Jan08, Brooklyn Eagle

We just received word from Racked that Brownstoner’s Flea is expanding to the location across the street at 81 Front Street starting next Saturday. Says Racked: “…plan to fill it with vendors that don’t fit the antiques mold. That space will open the weekend of January 31st, and will offer new (non-antique) clothing and accessories and—this is very exciting—food vendors like Kumquat Cupcakery, McClure’s Pickles, Hot Blondies Bakery, Choice Market and Fine + Raw Chocolate. There’s even talk of a BBQ truck.” The food options are a good addition for locals to go grab a snack.

It’s cold and the economy has affected our psyche, but with the new Obama administration in place, everyone is hoping for positive change (yes, even the Republicans, right?). We can take charge of our own positivity by volunteering, being active in our community, or taking care of our mind/body. At least that’s what the Dumbo-based health/body related services are here for. And since they’re right here in our neighborhood, it’s a convenient way to recharge and get fit.

• The Wellness Lounge (133 Water Street) – We profiled The Wellness Lounge last month, and they’ve got a new winter “Happy Hour Specials” on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 2-7pm. For DumboNYC readers, call them (718-875-1514) to get a list of their unadvertised specials. For example, get $20 off any 1 hour massage on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2-7pm until end of February, 2009.
• Sencha Wellness Center (147 Front Street, Suite 406) – This appointment-only center offers holistic ‘community style’ accupuncture to de-stress and address your health problems such as migranes, pain, anxiety, and insomnia. They have an array of services that includes shiatsu massage, hot rock, aromatherapy, and others. The community style schedule is expanding hours from 11am-2pm on Wednesdays and starting Feb 2, from 5:30-8pm on Monday evenings. Call 917-586-6626 for an appointment.
• Bridge Pilates (147 Front Street, Suite 225) – With a full line of Pilates equipment at their studio, they’ll help you improve your core strength, flexibility, and agility. See why they’re one of the top pilates studios in NYC. Call them at 718-522-1506 or email info@bridgepilates.com.
• The Fitness Guru (77 Front Street)- They’ve been in Dumbo for 2 years and have helped the community with a healthier lifestyle for themselves and their families. Check out the list of classes. 718-554-3560
• Mom/Baby Postnatal Fitness Class – (Located at the Sencha Center: 147 Front Street, Suite 406) – Although this class doesn’t start until next week, Work Out, Baby is a postnatal fitness class incorporating strength, cardio, toning, flexibility, and core work designed to get your body back into shape and free of the aches and pains of motherhood. For Moms and babies ready to move (6 weeks- precrawlers). Six week session begins January 29, Thursdays at 11am or 1pm. Contact Zoe Levine ACE C-PT, Pre and postnatal certified (healthymomsnyc@yahoo.com or call 917-309-5969).

These are just a few of several other health and well-being related services in Dumbo. Feel free to comment below on any others you like.

According to the The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation and New York Post, close to 800 high-rise luxury condos and a hotel planned to support the BBP are on hold indefinitely. Also on hold are plans to renovate the Empire Stores warehouse and convert it to retail and cultural space. These development parcels that make up the condos and hotel development take up approximately 10% of the project’s 85 acre. Half of that is occupied by existing structures, such as the Empire Stores and 360 Furman Street (aka One Brooklyn Bridge condo). The proposed residential developments of the project plan included:

1. Pier 6: Two buildings built on the uplands of Pier 6 (near Atlantic Avenue) which would have added 400 units plus retail space.
2. One Brooklyn Bridge: The existing building on 360 Furman Street which adds 500 units, which has been on the market.
3. Pier 1: Hotel and Residential buildings on the site of the existing Cold Storage Warehouse buildings (above photo). The residential use could range between 150 and 180 units and the hotel could range between 170 and 225 rooms. The number of hotel rooms would decrease as the number of residential units increased and vice versa. However, the maximum limit for the site is a combination of 225 hotel rooms and 150 residential units or 170 hotel rooms and 180 residential units.
4. 1-11 John Street: The new building would be approximately 170 feet in height and contain up to 130 units.

According to the NY Post, “More than 1,200 luxury condos were slated to raise money to offset costly park maintenance. To date, only 447 have been built at the One Brooklyn Bridge Park complex near Atlantic Avenue. And only one-third of those have sold after hitting the market 20 months ago.” However, the Pier 1 construction has begun installing utilities on the site, and by February, “will be importing 60,000 cubic yards of fill and topsoil (enough to fill Boro Hall twice) by truck. This fill will be used to create the grading, including a 25 foot hill, on Pier 1. In early spring they will install finishes, including placing steps, building a gate house, laying top soil, and beginning playground construction. Pier 1 will turn green at the end of spring with the planting of trees and shrubs, and the laying of sod, turf, and ground cover. Paved pathways, benches, and railings will be installed in the fall.”

See more update information on the Brooklyn Bridge Park website. The Brooklyn Bridge Park Development Corporation invites all to a public meeting on Brooklyn Bridge Park’s financial model:

Thursday, January 29, 6:00 pm
Dibner Auditorium, NYU-Polytechnic University
5 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY