In March, the Dumbo Improvement District (DUMBO BID) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for design schemes and ideas that re-envision the public space known as the Pearl Street Triangle from professional architects and designers that reside or work in Dumbo.

Once a parking lot and illegal dumping site, the DUMBO BID with NYC DOT, opened the transformed Pearl Street Triangle on August 8, 2007, complete with its signature bright green paint, street furniture and public art features as a temporary treatment to gage the community’s response and usage of the space. In the three years since, the DUMBO BID is looking towards future uses of the public space and hopes that this competition will spur some thought on how the Pearl Street Triangle should evolve as an innovative and functional public space for Dumbo.

They showcased 8 design proposals in May. Last night, the DUMBO BID announced the winner of the Pearl Street Triangle “Ideas Competition.” The winner was by Brendan Coburn, AIA of Coburn Architecture (based at 45 Main Street) and his project designers, Yuliya Ilizarov and Abdou Ndoye titled “The Tracks: Ride the Rails!”

Project Name: The Tracks: Ride the Rails!
Description: The Tracks plaza takes it’s inspiration from the myriad of rail lines that at one time weaved their way through the industrial streets of DUMBO. As these tracks emerge from beneath the pavement surrounding the triangle they become the armature for a series of tiered seats that wind through the site to create three amphitheater-like spaces: the first, facing the Manhattan Bridge, is delineated by seating for films projected onto the masonry wall that encloses the arch beneath the bridge; the second, a performance and display space enclosed by two opposing tiers; and the third, where a low tier hugs a series of in-ground fountains. Shallow alcoves are molded underneath the higher tiers, welcoming local artists to display their creations.

All of the submissions were interesting and had a different spin on the use of the public space. There was even one that proposed adding a subway stop at the Manhattan Bridge anchor above the Triangle with an elevator/stairs down below. How do you think the space should be used? Other submissions after the jump.
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(Photo by Josh Derr)

DumboNYC has been around since 2006. I created DumboNYC.com to effect positive change to the the Dumbo area and highlight changes in the neighborhood. The site also focuses on entrepreneurs in the area who are running successful businesses. There have been many businesses, artists, and residents who have been around Dumbo for a long time, and even more who have moved into the area in the past few years. Because of the transient nature of the area, people from all over the world come to Dumbo for work, play, and live. Although the 2010 census numbers have not come out yet, some government officials estimate about 8,000+ people work in Dumbo while 3,500+ people live here (these are unofficial numbers). It will be interesting when the official numbers are released by the census. So with this diversity, I’m hoping to hear from some of you to welcome regular and/or guest posters/writers/photographers/videographers for the site. Looking for anything related to Dumbo. I’m only one person, one voice, but hoping to hear from others.

Either due to the area’s popularity or visitors wanting to know more about Dumbo, I’ve seen record numbers of visitors to DumboNYC.com in the past months. On average, the site currently receives 40,000+ unique visitors per month and 80,000+ page views per month. With that, I also receive record number of event submissions and press releases that relate to Dumbo. Out of hundreds of emails daily, I don’t have time to respond to them all. Which is why the apology. I just don’t have the time to reply to them all. People plan some great events, exhibitions, shows, etc, in Dumbo and would love to feature them all with interviews, articles, and postings. I’ll try posting as many as possible. If you don’t hear back, sending us a gentle reminder a few days before you’d like the listing posted will greatly increase your chance of getting your Dumbo event listed. We like short blurbs. Multi page press releases are good for certain purposes, but aren’t exactly suited for a blog format. Please continue to send us your tips, events, and rants at dumbonyc [at] gmail [dot] com. Without your emails, I couldn’t keep up with the site. Thank you!
-hideyoshi

(Photo by GuyomG)

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

• Crisis on Infinite Dumbo, 18Jun10, JedDavis
• The mixed uses in DUMBO, 07Jun10, DDI
• Dewey’s Candy Shop, 14Jun10, BRIC Arts
• Brooklyn Digital Foundry’s Brian Lemond & John Szot, 16Jun10, BHB
• Brooklyn summer bummer, 15Jun10, NYP
• Running a Company in DUMBO, 14Jun10, AD60
• Piano at Brooklyn Bridge Park, 16Jun10, NYP
• Food Truck Crack-Down Begins?, 16Jun10, Brownstoner
• Rogue Piano Spotted in DUMBO, 16Jun10, LMag
• Pier 1’s ‘danger domes’ are cordoned off, 18Jun10, BK Paper
• Steel domes at Brooklyn Bridge Park closed, 18Jun10, NYDN
• Gentrification of Dumbo Song, 18Jun10, LMag

For those following the 2010 World Cup, as previously posted, The Dumbo Improvement District is showing the games tomorrow (Saturday, June 19) at 9:30am (Ghana v. Australia) and 2:00pm (Cameroon v. Denmark) in The Archway, directly under the Manhattan Bridge in Dumbo. It’s free and open to the public.

For schedule and more information, go to the Dumbo Improvement District’s facebook page.

Also, reBar is showing the games in their ReRun stadium style seating. Call (917.406.9192) or check their website rebarnyc.com for schedules.

(Photo by Jane Kratochvil)

We’ve heard lots of artists priced out of the now gentrified Dumbo Brooklyn (Paul Raphaelson, for example). Occassionally we get stories in our inbox from those who are looking to find roomates or share studio space (such as this one at 10 Jay) because local artists are leaving Dumbo. (we love hearing from you but don’t like to hear you have to leave Dumbo.)

Jed Davis, a musician who formerly lived on Plymouth Street in Dumbo is one of those musicians who had to pack up and leave Dumbo for Albany, NY. He released a song called Yuppie Exodus From Dumbo. It’s got a catchy tune and the lyrics are smart and funny- even mentions J Condo, a certain pizza place with 2 hour lines, Etsy, and McSweeney’s and Grizzly Bear, both loved by hipsters. (lyrics are on Jed’s site, and also reposted below). [Ed note: That pizza place recently added a surcharge of $2 EXTRA for residents who pick up, so I've since banned them.]

We caught up with Jed who said that he was reluctant to leave Dumbo but the cost of living in the neighborhood was affecting him and friends around him. While packing up, he discovered that many of his neighbors were too, which inspired the song. Some of the vocals were recorded at his space in 135 Plymouth Street (can you hear the train going over the bridge in the background?) The song has been pressed in a signed and numbered edition of wax cylinders, which will never degrade, no matter how many times you play it on your family Edison. Give the song a listen, and if you like it, download the song for 99 cents. We hope Jed comes back and hope that your new digs in Albany doesn’t ‘gentrify you out’.
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O’Crepes in Dumbo has been shut down by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. According to a @ocrepes Twitter status last week, “because of Landlord refusing to provide a restroom on the site Health Department closed us yesterday. What’s left for small business-hope!” OK, let’s hope they can reopen soon.

[UPDATE: O'Crepes posted a note (photo below) to let us know that they will "reopen soon." (Ed: Come on! Spell check and proper English please.)]

[UPDATE 2: Vik from O'Crepes commented to say that Green Desk has been helpful and supportive of their business. They are working to comply with city regulations. Oh and we didn't mean to give them a hard time
on the sign (I'm certainly not great with my English):
"Green Desk has been an amazing part of our business venture and we apologize for our twitter post that was unclear.There are some new city regulations that new york city business has to comply with--such as having a restroom directly on the site. These regulations are rather recent and therefor very unexpected.
Health Department shut us down at the middle of the lunch, leaving us very upset as to the chances of a small aspiring business such as O'crepes to survive. However, we found great support from Green Desk and we promise to open soon with more diverse menu, varied prices and delicious summer addition to our toppings.
We love you DUMBO and will do our best to keep your lunch and dinner options as healthy and delicious as possibly."]

KLOMPCHING GALLERY‘s opening reception for As Above So Below by Odette England and Micro Mundi by Elaine Duigenan is tonight Thursday, June 17, 6:00-8:00 pm.

Micro Mundi is a collection of stunning black and white photographs that depict the arterial wanderings of snails, as they graze upon algae, leaving behind an aftermath of claw-like patterns—caused by the rasping action of the snail’s spiky tongue. For Duigenan, these ‘smail trails’ represent mini worlds which connect on a universal scale. Indeed, presented in an annular format, they appear as if floating planets seen from space.

As Above So Below
Odette England’s new body of work is also concerned with the sensory and philosophical interpretation of our world. The phrase, As Above So Below, refers to the widespread indigenous cultural belief that the heavens and earth are the foundation of all creatures, including themselves. In this context, land and sky are more than just geographical icons, they are mirrors in which they see themselves reflected. England has documented the vast desert landscape of Southern Australia, photographing the land and sky from a single standpoint as a double exposure, thus merging the space between as a primal ‘middle ground‘ in which humankind resides. The resulting color photographs are quiet, metaphysical studies that astutely span time and space.

Related, there is an event at Klompching on Saturday, June 19 from 1:30pm—2:30pm for a talk by Elaine Duigenan (photographer) and Leland Melvin (astronaut). The astronaut met the artist, loved her work, and brought it to space. In 2008, a chance encounter between Elaine Duigenan and Leland Melvin sparked a very special friendship. The Micro Mundi photographs became part of a wider connection spanning art and science. On November 16th, 2009, Leland Melvin was launched into space on the Shuttle Atlantis, accompanied by one of Duigenan’s ‘mini worlds’.

Image: ©NASA

KLOMPCHING GALLERY (www.klompching.com)
111 Front Street, Suite 206, Brooklyn NY 11201
212-796-2070

Some people love taking photos of their food and blog about it. And others love sharing their opinions about food on sites like Yelp. Food critics have been around for a long time, but these days, they are like rock stars with groupies (or foodies) following every restaurant they review.

Join Gelf and other Big Apple gastronomes in a discussion of food criticism and the encroaching influence of blogs when Media Circus returns to the Brooklyn waterfront on June 17. Robert Sietsema, longtime restaurant critic for the Village Voice and contributor to the erstwhile Gourmet (interview here); Alex Vallis, editor of NBC’s new food blog, Feast (interview here); and Gabriella Gershenson, Editor of Time Out New York’s dining section and blog, The Feed (interview here), will cut up and digest food writing in the world’s hungriest city.

The work of local artists will be on display, as well.

The event will be held Thursday, June 17, at 7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm) at the JLA Studios art gallery on 63 Pearl St. in the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn—just one subway stop away from Manhattan! Admission is FREE. Drinks will be available.

Filming for “Tommy” will take place in Dumbo on Wednesday, June 16, 2010 between 5am-8pm on Front Street between Main and Washington Streets.

Anyone see this today?

In a photo taken by joshderr, he noticed construction on the corner of Prospect and Jay Street before realizing that it is some sort of art work. He says:

What initially appeared to be road work at the corner of Prospect and jay street in DUMBO turned out to be some sort of art project (Street art taken literally?). New asphalt was laid down with a swirling flourish design sunk within. Given that laing down asphalt is a fairly labor-intensive job, and doing it cleanly requires heavy equipment, it is doubtful this was done by a single person. Aside from the DOT branded cones surround it, no artist name or credit otherwise was found. Ideas people?

Here’s another detail view on flickr. If this is in fact art, who is the artist?