As we’ve said in the past, townhouses in the quaint Vinegar Hill area are hard to come by since there aren’t too many of them. Many of them are landmarked and have storied histories behind them. This 1925 landmarked 69 Gold Street townhouse on the corner of Gold and Water Streets has just been put on the market (by Corcoran) for $2,995,000 (annual tax $4011). Based on the photos from Corcoran, the renovations to the home are designed well with a country style chef’s kitchen and designer bathrooms. The property is sold as two units. The main townhouse has 3-4 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 half baths, 3 wood burning fireplaces and one gas fireplace and a roof deck with Manhattan views. The kitchen is on the ground level and has a corner double door that opens up to the street.

The carriage house part of the property is two stories and currently configured as a 1 bedroom apartment with a skylight set into the cathedral ceilings (current rental income is $3300 per month). We always thought the carriage house was a large garage (with 3 large garage doors), but it’s set up as an apartment. City property records indicate that the property was last sold on April 20, 2006 for $1,295,000. Lot dimensions is 16 ft x 80 ft and the townhouse has 2,544 sq ft. Will the sellers get the asking price in this market?

{69 Gold Street, Corcoran listing}
Floorplan after the jump… Read the rest of this entry »

Filming for The Unusuals will resume on Tuesday, January 13, 2009 on Front Street between York and Main Streets, Gold Street between Front and York Streets after filming in Dumbo back in December. The Unusuals is a “one hour comedic procedural set in a New York police precinct”.

For other past filming news in Dumbo, click for the DumboNYC archives.

The Dock Street Dumbo opponents rallied on Sunday to block the development of a proposed 18 story residential building and public middle school. Dumbo Neighborhood Association’s (DNA) message is that they don’t opposing building on the site, which is the right of developers Jed and David Walentas, but don’t agree with a building so tall near the Brooklyn Bridge. They also don’t believe that the benefits of a public middle school, underground parking garage, and a green building can be achieved in the developer’s proposal.

The Community Board 2′s land use committee voted against the project in late December. The full community board will vote on the proposed rezoning on Wednesday, January 14 at 6 pm at Brooklyn Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street, at Court Street). After that, the project will be submitted for review by the borough president, the Department of City Planning, the City Council, and the mayor’s office. A DNA member estimates that 75 to 100 people came out to the rally.

Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea started in Dumbo this weekend. For 12 weekends, a rotation of antique furniture, vintage art, clothing and accessories will set up mini-stalls on the ground floor retail space on the corner of Front and Washington Streets. The space, airy with high ceilings, was full of people when we went on Saturday, which made the space seem smaller than it is. And while it’s too early to tell how sales went, we did see plenty of buyers.

There is a rotation of vendors who will set up at the flea each weekend, so each visit will have something different. [Vendors, please let us know how you did and how often you'll be back to set up.]

Brooklyn Flea Dumbo
76 Front St at Washington St, Dumbo
Sat, Sun 11am—6pm

Related:
{DumboNYC Brooklyn Flea Dumbo Flickr set}
{Brownstoner’s Brooklyn Flea Winter Coming to Dumbo, 08Dec2008}
{The First Brooklyn Flea Attracts Thousands, 07Apr2008}

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

• DUMBO Worst Neighborhood for Slice Pizza?, 10Jan08, Slice
• Brooklyn Blog Readers Contribute to Community Websites, 09Jan08, NY Times
• RAMBO Under Attack!, 06Jan08, Curbed
• Brooklyn Flea to land in DUMBO, 06Jan08, Brooklyn Paper
• Obama Inauguration Invitations, 06Jan08, Fox5 News
• Docked! Walentas in the fight of his life on DUMBO tower, 08Jan08, Brooklyn Paper
• Brownstoner Flea in Dumbo, 06Jan08, NY Daily News
• Helen Sear @ Klompching Gallery, 07Jan08, nymphoto
• Shop Brooklyn Flea Without Freezing, 07Jan08, Budget Travel
• Public Hearing for MTA Changes – Jan 28, 08Jan08, Brooklyn Eagle
• Goodbye Bush Parties in Dumbo, 05Jan08, Examiner

The Dumbo Neighborhood Association is sponsoring a rally this Sunday in Dumbo for those who want to learn about and show support “for a comprehensive, contextual rezoning plan that supports a positive future for all of DUMBO’s inhabitants.” The Rally to Save the Brooklyn Bridge is being held on Sunday, January 11th, 2009 at 10:30am (Corner of Washington St. & Prospect St.) to support appropriate development in the DUMBO neighborhood – the proposed Dock Street development included – that will not compromise the majesty of the Brooklyn Bridge. We asked Sheryl Buchholz, President of the DNA to share the DNA’s viewpoints on why the rally and what’s so important about it?

“The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most cherished structures in the United States. 7 days a week, visitors from around the World walk over the Bridge and take photos. Movie shoots, documentaries and books use this area to show the significance, beauty and the grace of our entire city with photos on and around the Brooklyn side of the Bridge.

This part of Brooklyn is considered one of our country’s first suburbs and the ferries at Fulton Landing, followed by the Brooklyn Bridge when completed in 1883, were used by the first commuters. The increase in density due to spot zoning changes at Dock Street will increase congestion and pollution; it will also seriously compromise one of the most historic waterfront areas in the country, if not the world.

DUMBO, Fulton Ferry Landing and the Brooklyn Bridge itself are all National, State and New York City-designated landmarks and historic districts. The very nature of these landmarked areas are under significant and what could be catastrophic development pressures should Dock Street bed approved. And, while the proposed school, affordable housing and “green” building are all laudable features in any development, they have become the distraction over significant and permanent zoning changes to a fragile area.

As stated above, the DUMBO Neighborhood Association is not opposed to a building being constructed at Dock Street, and absolutely supports a school or affordable housing at the site. What we are opposed to is an almost 500 car garage under the bridge; a very tall building that will cast significant shadows on the surrounding blocks; eliminate the view of the Manhattan Bridge from the Brooklyn Bridge walkway; and forever change the Brooklyn waterfront and skyline. The proposed development as currently presented eliminates seeing the historic buildings and streets from the walkway of the Bridge itself. We need contextual development that can accommodate a school, stores and services at substantially less than 210 feet high – as proposed – when that portion of the building is only between 70 feet and 90 feet from the Bridge. A wider building that has a height limit of 75 feet under the R7B recommended by Community Board 2′s Land Use Committee – similar to existing historic warehouses in both DUMBO and Fulton Ferry Landing – would allow for a 135,000 square feet building that would not be higher than the walkway of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The kind of building that is being proposed would never be allowed to overshadow the Washington Monument; St. Paul’s Cathedral in London; the Eiffel Tower in Paris; and other World-class monuments throughout the globe. It would be a disgrace if we allowed it to happen here, as ultimately it would benefit only one person in DUMBO: the developer.”

Supporters of the controversial project dispute the anti-Dock Street group’s claims that views of the bridge would be blocked by the building. The full community board will vote on the proposed rezoning on Jan. 14 at 6 pm at Borough Hall (209 Joralemon Street, at Court Street).

{Past Dock Street news}

Community Board 2 committee voted unanimously on Wednesday night to oppose a liquor license for a proposed Italian restaurant at 7 Old Fulton St., the Brooklyn Paper article reported today. But the committee’s recommendation is only advisory. It will head to the State Liquor Authority after the CB2 executive committee signs off. A group of three neighbors, including one that emailed us their concerns we posted last week petitioned the committee to deny the application. The Brooklyn Paper article states: Dema Baledemic, the proprietor of the eatery, which would join the River Café, Pete’s Downtown, Five Front as the nearby booze-serving restaurants, and would join the nearby fray at the wine-and-beer-only Grimaldi’s pizzeria, retorted that he is simply “trying to create a beautiful restaurant, not [one with] noise in front”…”I’m trying to create something that is great for the neighborhood,” added Baledemic, a former caterer and pizzeria owner in Bensonhurst.”

The neighbor emailed us after the CB2 meeting, who said that although the Brooklyn Paper article states that only 3 people opposed the license, it should have noted that there was a number of others present there who shared their opinions; They were just the only ones to speak in opposition to the license. He added, “and who knows, maybe in a year if the owner proves himself to be a good neighbor, cuts back his proposed closing time (to, say 10pm), and addresses the legitimate concerns that we have regarding the operation and plans for this business, then maybe we’ll come out and support a bid for him to receive a beer and wine only license.”

Due to the holiday schedule, the gallery walk will take place on
Thursday, January 8th, 2009.

DUMBO 1st Thursday features area galleries, open from 5:30 to 8:30, on the first Thursday of each month. There is no admission fee – participating galleries are open to the public. Gallery receptions, neighborhood dining and bars, and live music add to the evening’s festivities:

January 8, 2009 First Thursday Participants include, but are not limited to the following list. Please check with each gallery to confirm that they will be open late on Thursday.

5+5 Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 210
A.I.R. Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 228
Amos Eno Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 202
Aswoon Gallery, 14 Jay St.
Brooklyn Arts Council, 111 Front St., Suite 218
Byrd Hoffman Watermill Foundation, 111 Front St.
DUMBO Arts Center, 30 Washington St.
Gloria Kennedy Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 222
Henry Gregg Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 226
Klompching Gallery, 111 Front St.
Melville House, 145 Plymouth St.
Pochron Studios, 20 Jay St.
Powerhouse Books & Powerhouse Arena, 37 Main St.
Rabbithole Studio, 33 Washington St.
Robert Wilson/rw Work Ltd, 111 Front St.
Safe-T Gallery, 111 Front St., Suite 214
Smack Mellon, 93 Plymouth St. @ Washington Street
Spring, 126a Front St.
Umbrage Gallery, 111 Front St.
VII Photo, 28 Jay St.
Wessel + O-Connor Fine Art, 111 Front St., Suite 200

Some highlights include:

	powerHouse Books YES WE CAN : Barack Obama’s History-Making Presidential Campaign January 8-February 8, 2009 Opening reception: Wednesday, January 14, 2009, 6-9pm On January 8, we will be open until 9pm for the Gallery Walk The powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St., Dumbo Brooklyn, 866-99-ARENA Yes We Can is the story of Barack Obama’s historic, world-changing journey from junior Senator from Illinois to President of the United States of America as documented by Scout Tufankjian, the only independent photographer to cover his entire campaign from before he announced his run through the Election Night celebration in Chicago’s Grant Park. powerhousearena.com
	A.I.R. Gallery National Members Group Exhibition Curated by Rocio Aranda January 7- February 1, 2009 Opening Reception Thursday Jan. 8th, 6-8pm 111 Front Street #228, DUMBO Brooklyn, 212-255-6651 airgallery.org
	Amos Eno Gallery Presents: MANATEES, A SERIES OF ENCAUSTIC PAINTINGS BY ULRIKE STADLER A reception for the artist will be held at the gallery on January 8 from 6-8pm January 6 to 31, 2009, Tue-Sat 11-6 Manatees is a series of 11 encaustic paintings on lauan board, yellow birch, maple and canvas made by Stadler between 2006 and 2009. 111 Front Street #202, DUMBO Brooklyn, 718-237-3001 amosenogallery.org
	KLOMPCHING GALLERY “Inside The View” by Helen Sear January 8th, 6-8pm Exhibition Dates: January 8 – February 27, 2009 Helen Sear contributes to the long history of montage by superimposing two images- one a portrait of a woman and the other a landscape. Each image is then erased through a process of digital drawing, with the network of lines based upon the patterns of hand woven lace making. ©Helen Sear, courtesy Klompching Gallery 111 Front Street #206, DUMBO Brooklyn, 212-796-2070 klompching.com
	Melville House Publishing Candy Jernigan Exhibition Show runs throughout January Candy Jernigan worked in New York as an artist + graphic designer, and she was an illustrator in every sense of the word. Her eye was evident, whether collecting objects for her paintings and journals to illustrate evidence of where she had been, or making detailed illustrative drawings. She could activate a single line, suddenly revealing horizon, sky, and ground. Candy died in 1991. Melville House Bookstore, 145 Plymouth Street, DUMBO Brooklyn, 718-722-9204 mhpbooks.com
	Galapagos Art Space CAPACITA Claudio Finni Galdiolo in INCAPACITA, Opsvik & Jennings, Amy Kohn Octet + Art by Jill Auckenthaler An evening of art, music, and a short theatre piece called Incapacita. January 8th, 8pm, $10 16 Main Street, DUMBO Brooklyn, 718-222-8500 galapagosartspace.com

[UPDATE: According to a commentor, the opening is slated for February 1, 2009.]

It’s been a while since we saw activity at the Ignazio’s, the pizza restaurant on Water Street. This week, chairs and tables were being set up, windows were being cleaned, and the interior looked like pizza can be served any day now (though we didn’t see the baby grand piano in there yet). Owner Louis Termini is known to make great pizza, so we’re looking forward to try the new place. Anyone have an opening date? Also, based on conversation on an earlier post about area liquor licenses, it looks like their license is still pending.

Ignazio’s Pizza
4 Water Street, Brooklyn NY 11201

Previously:
{December Homecoming Planned For A DUMBO Pizzeria, 23Aug2007, Brooklyn Eagle}
{Ignazio’s to Open at Fulton Ferry Condos, 06Jul2007}

Last week on 12/30/2008, 192 Water Street was issued a stop work order on the property. The online records aren’t clear about the reason. However, since DumboSpace LLC acquired the property a year ago, the construction crews have been busy working on the building since mid-year. The owners are converting the ground floor and lower floor into a 250 person live performance theatre and plan on creating 10 condominium units on floors three through five.

Previously:
{192 Water Street Construction Moving Forward, 23Jul2008}
{Condo and Theatre Conversion at 192 Water Street, 02Jan2008}